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

McMurry University
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M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,549enrollment
  • $20,817net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Brenau University
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B
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,420enrollment
  • $20,860net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Cleary University
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C
Howell, MI
 

Cleary University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,040enrollment
  • $24,965net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 18-19ACT range
  • 3.17Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Spalding University
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S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,555enrollment
  • $25,539net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 853-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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Adrian College
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A
Adrian, MI

Adrian College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,760enrollment
  • $22,053net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lancaster Bible College
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L
Lancaster, PA
 

Lancaster Bible College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#55 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,455enrollment
  • $22,872net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 21-23ACT range
  • 3.31Estimated Avg GPA

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Lee University
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L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,680enrollment
  • $20,222net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
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F
Teaneck, NJ
 

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 7,607enrollment
  • $17,121net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 908-1180SAT range
  • 20-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Freed Hardeman University
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F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,294enrollment
  • $18,267net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 934-1084SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

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Brigham Young University Idaho
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B
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 42,996enrollment
  • $7,295net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.34Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Ottawa University Ottawa
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O
Ottawa, KS
 

Ottawa University Ottawa

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,055enrollment
  • $28,126net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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Aurora University
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A
Aurora, IL

Aurora University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,935enrollment
  • $19,220net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 930-1133SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Heidelberg University
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H
Tiffin, OH
 

Heidelberg University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,059enrollment
  • $19,620net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1162SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Felician College
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F
Lodi, NJ
 

Felician College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,236enrollment
  • $15,818net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 890-1150SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.05Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Concordia University Ann Arbor
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C
Ann Arbor, MI

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,351enrollment
  • $28,020net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

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Mount Mary College
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M
Milwaukee, WI
 

Mount Mary College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,224enrollment
  • $19,409net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 866-1123SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

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Chestnut Hill College
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C
Philadelphia, PA

Chestnut Hill College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#56 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,402enrollment
  • $28,583net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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Oklahoma Christian University
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O
Edmond, OK

Oklahoma Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 2,743enrollment
  • $21,810net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

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