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

Schreiner University
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S
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,208enrollment
  • $21,786net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Grand View University
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G
Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,796enrollment
  • $22,296net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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William Penn University
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W
Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,536enrollment
  • $22,361net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 830-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Mount Aloysius College
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M
Cresson, PA
 

Mount Aloysius College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#58 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,967enrollment
  • $20,570net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 900-1105SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Limestone University
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L
Gaffney, SC
 

Limestone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,782enrollment
  • $21,177net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Friends University
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F
Wichita, KS
 

Friends University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,927enrollment
  • $22,579net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 915-1090SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Nichols College
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N
Dudley, MA

Nichols College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,354enrollment
  • $31,032net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Columbia College
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,572enrollment
  • $23,920net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Charleston Southern University
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C
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 3,545enrollment
  • $21,347net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.24Estimated Avg GPA

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Upper Iowa University
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U
Fayette, IA
 

Upper Iowa University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 3,102enrollment
  • $22,427net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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Belmont Abbey College
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B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,650enrollment
  • $23,463net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

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Midway University
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M
Midway, KY

Midway University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,945enrollment
  • $24,739net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1120SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of the Cumberlands
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T
Williamsburg, KY

University of the Cumberlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 20,327enrollment
  • $11,555net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Southeastern University
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S
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,400enrollment
  • $27,935net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1183SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Hope International University
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H
Fullerton, CA

Hope International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,140enrollment
  • $30,514net price
  • 35%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 20

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St. Thomas University
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S
Miami Gardens, FL
 

St. Thomas University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 6,455enrollment
  • $27,029net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Lourdes University
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L
Sylvania, OH
 

Lourdes University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,014enrollment
  • $22,614net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Tiffin University
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T
Tiffin, OH
 

Tiffin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,598enrollment
  • $24,516net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 870-1120SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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