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

Davidson College
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D
Davidson, NC

Davidson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,927enrollment
  • $26,704net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 7

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New York University
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N
New York, NY

New York University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 59,144enrollment
  • $29,499net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

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Carleton College
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C
Northfield, MN

Carleton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Minnesota

  • 2,059enrollment
  • $31,494net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Swarthmore College
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S
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,625enrollment
  • $20,715net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1560SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

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Carnegie Mellon University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 16,002enrollment
  • $33,499net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of Richmond
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R
University of Richmond, VA

University of Richmond

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,876enrollment
  • $29,248net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 1398-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Bates College
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B
Lewiston, ME

Bates College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Maine

  • 1,790enrollment
  • $27,491net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1520SAT range
  • 32-33ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Colby College
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C
Waterville, ME

Colby College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 2,299enrollment
  • $16,951net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Boston College
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B
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 15,287enrollment
  • $30,559net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1435-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Trinity College
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T
Hartford, CT

Trinity College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Connecticut

  • 2,205enrollment
  • $32,704net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1470SAT range
  • 30-32ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 17

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Vassar College
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V
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,459enrollment
  • $30,603net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1535SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Scripps College
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S
Claremont, CA

Scripps College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,099enrollment
  • $43,923net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1510SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Case Western Reserve University
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C
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 12,201enrollment
  • $38,279net price
  • 27%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1540SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Skidmore College
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S
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,758enrollment
  • $33,389net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Yeshiva University
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Y
New York, NY

Yeshiva University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,056enrollment
  • $35,912net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1500SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Rochester
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R
Rochester, NY

University of Rochester

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 12,197enrollment
  • $39,775net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1540SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Lehigh University
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L
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 7,394enrollment
  • $30,453net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.81Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Grinnell College
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G
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Iowa

  • 1,759enrollment
  • $33,467net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1380-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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