Top Rated U.S. Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in America for 2025

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the United States. Leading the rankings for 2025 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

601 results nationwide

Saint Leo University
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S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,231enrollment
  • $19,478net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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Life University
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L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,711enrollment
  • $30,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Mount Marty College
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M
Yankton, SD
 

Mount Marty College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota

  • 1,314enrollment
  • $23,163net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 810-1050SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,407enrollment
  • $28,596net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Trine University
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T
Angola, IN
 

Trine University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 4,471enrollment
  • $25,580net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Anderson University
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A
Anderson, SC

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 4,325enrollment
  • $22,222net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Rockford University
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R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,249enrollment
  • $24,098net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Grace College and Theological Seminary
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G
Winona Lake, IN
 

Grace College and Theological Seminary

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,271enrollment
  • $21,680net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 950-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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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

  • 3,520enrollment
  • $29,904net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Marian University
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M
Fond Du Lac, WI
 

Marian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,319enrollment
  • $23,552net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 800-1080SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

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Savannah College of Art and Design
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S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 17,575enrollment
  • $46,524net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Carlow University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#54 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,310enrollment
  • $20,561net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Concordia University Seward
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C
Seward, NE

Concordia University Seward

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 3,423enrollment
  • $24,099net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1235SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Greenville University
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G
Greenville, IL

Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,053enrollment
  • $21,442net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 811-1219SAT range
  • 14-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

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Fisher College
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F
Boston, MA

Fisher College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,501enrollment
  • $27,827net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 800-1070SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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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

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $19,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Saint Mary of the Woods College
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S
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
 

Saint Mary of the Woods College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,227enrollment
  • $18,470net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 875-1070SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Texas Wesleyan University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,595enrollment
  • $21,169net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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