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

Bethel College Mishawaka
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B
Mishawaka, IN
 

Bethel College Mishawaka

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,222enrollment
  • $20,058net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Midland University
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M
Fremont, NE

Midland University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,557enrollment
  • $24,143net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 893-1110SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Belhaven University
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B
Jackson, MS
 

Belhaven University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi

  • 3,616enrollment
  • $22,145net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Mercy College
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M
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#58 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 8,774enrollment
  • $16,776net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

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Faulkner University
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F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $19,908net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 886-1135SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Eastern University
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E
Saint Davids, PA
 

Eastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#57 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 6,981enrollment
  • $21,900net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1190SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Liberty University
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L
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 103,068enrollment
  • $29,692net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Avila University
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A
Kansas City, MO
 

Avila University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,733enrollment
  • $17,482net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 800-1000SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Cornerstone University
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C
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,735enrollment
  • $23,147net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 970-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.28Estimated Avg GPA

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Georgetown College
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G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $14,878net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Franklin Pierce University
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F
Rindge, NH

Franklin Pierce University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire

  • 1,637enrollment
  • $25,557net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 945-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.97Avg GPA

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Rochester College
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R
Rochester Hills, MI
 

Rochester College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,173enrollment
  • $19,660net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 840-1060SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA

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Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,631enrollment
  • $21,320net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Toccoa Falls College
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T
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,532enrollment
  • $20,657net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Muskingum University
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M
New Concord, OH
 

Muskingum University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,108enrollment
  • $20,269net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Regent University
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R
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 10,168enrollment
  • $18,314net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Oral Roberts University
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O
Tulsa, OK

Oral Roberts University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 5,365enrollment
  • $24,347net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Baker College of Flint
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B
Flint, MI
 

Baker College of Flint

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 3,898enrollment
  • $14,743net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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