Top Rated U.S. Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the United States. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the highest ranked private college in America is Princeton University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Private 4 year

596 results nationwide

Life University
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L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,753enrollment
  • $28,226net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 830-1117SAT range
  • 17-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Centenary University
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C
Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,498enrollment
  • $21,935net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

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Friends University
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F
Wichita, KS
 

Friends University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,724enrollment
  • $23,720net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 950-1181SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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University of Saint Mary
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S
Leavenworth, KS
 

University of Saint Mary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,267enrollment
  • $21,887net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 935-1066SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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McMurry University
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M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,237enrollment
  • $18,757net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Saint Xavier University
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S
Chicago, IL
 

Saint Xavier University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,523enrollment
  • $11,302net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Upper Iowa University
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U
Fayette, IA
 

Upper Iowa University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 3,072enrollment
  • $24,563net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 890-1050SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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Alvernia University
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A
Reading, PA

Alvernia University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#51 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,484enrollment
  • $27,091net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 996-1170SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Houston Baptist University
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H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,257enrollment
  • $19,515net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Hardin Simmons University
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H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,765enrollment
  • $22,636net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1198SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,495enrollment
  • $27,304net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Hawaii Pacific University
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H
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 4,876enrollment
  • $30,501net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 6

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Carson Newman College
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C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,586enrollment
  • $20,111net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1143SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Mary Hardin Baylor
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M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,575enrollment
  • $31,197net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Carlow University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#52 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,104enrollment
  • $17,437net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Saint Joseph's College of Maine
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S
Standish, ME
 

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maine

  • 1,478enrollment
  • $29,625net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 960-1120SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Brenau University
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B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $23,635net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1130SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Lindenwood University
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L
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 7,000enrollment
  • $18,016net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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