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.


596 results nationwide

Grand View University
G
Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,827enrollment
  • $20,236net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Schreiner University
S
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,193enrollment
  • $24,278net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Muskingum University
M
New Concord, OH
 

Muskingum University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,117enrollment
  • $19,682net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Chestnut Hill College
C
Philadelphia, PA

Chestnut Hill College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#56 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,420enrollment
  • $25,357net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Midway University
M
Midway, KY

Midway University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,441enrollment
  • $22,848net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1130SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Columbia College
C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,514enrollment
  • $18,779net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Southeastern University
S
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,044enrollment
  • $27,910net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 960-1183SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Charleston Southern University
C
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 3,418enrollment
  • $17,536net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.24Estimated Avg GPA

Mount Aloysius College
M
Cresson, PA
 

Mount Aloysius College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#57 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,752enrollment
  • $20,564net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Belmont Abbey College
B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,501enrollment
  • $23,522net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 950-1140SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Lourdes University
L
Sylvania, OH
 

Lourdes University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,136enrollment
  • $22,634net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Missouri Baptist University
M
Saint Louis, MO
 

Missouri Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 5,231enrollment
  • $25,590net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Nichols College
N
Dudley, MA

Nichols College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,403enrollment
  • $27,192net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 945-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

North Carolina Wesleyan College
N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,337enrollment
  • $18,701net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Bethel College Mishawaka
B
Mishawaka, IN
 

Bethel College Mishawaka

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,292enrollment
  • $18,746net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 800-920SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Hope International University
H
Fullerton, CA

Hope International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,116enrollment
  • $26,146net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

Notre Dame College
N
Cleveland, OH
 

Notre Dame College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,444enrollment
  • $20,151net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.09Estimated Avg GPA

Mount Olive College
M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,239enrollment
  • $17,878net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA