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

Wilson College
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W
Chambersburg, PA
 

Wilson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#59 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,694enrollment
  • $21,567net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Newberry College
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N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,507enrollment
  • $20,941net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 820-1060SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Point University
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P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,827enrollment
  • $22,622net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 972-1237SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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North Carolina Wesleyan College
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N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,345enrollment
  • $19,111net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Concordia University Texas
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C
Austin, TX

Concordia University Texas

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $23,621net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Crown College
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C
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,727enrollment
  • $27,196net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Mount Olive College
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M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,128enrollment
  • $17,893net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

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Johnson C Smith University
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J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,102enrollment
  • $19,326net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA

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Barton College
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B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,259enrollment
  • $23,804net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Coker College
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C
Hartsville, SC

Coker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,263enrollment
  • $18,910net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA

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Dillard University
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D
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 1,122enrollment
  • $18,551net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 976-1153SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Missouri Baptist University
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M
Saint Louis, MO
 

Missouri Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 5,641enrollment
  • $26,117net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 910-1170SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Culver Stockton College
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C
Canton, MO
 

Culver Stockton College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,069enrollment
  • $22,103net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1080SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Clark Atlanta University
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C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 4,135enrollment
  • $29,736net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Shorter University
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S
Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,447enrollment
  • $16,692net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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Keystone College
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K
La Plume, PA
 

Keystone College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#60 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,051enrollment
  • $21,461net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Union College
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U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,129enrollment
  • $19,223net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 920-1105SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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Arizona Christian University
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A
Phoenix, AZ
 

Arizona Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Arizona

  • 1,233enrollment
  • $32,397net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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