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

Reed College
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R
Portland, OR

Reed College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Oregon

  • 1,458enrollment
  • $36,993net price
  • 27%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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College of the Holy Cross
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H
Worcester, MA

College of the Holy Cross

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,035enrollment
  • $35,455net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Sewanee The University of the South
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S
Sewanee, TN

Sewanee The University of the South

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,693enrollment
  • $33,616net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1236-1398SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Bryn Mawr College
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B
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,666enrollment
  • $39,383net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1470SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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American University
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A
Washington, DC

American University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 13,019enrollment
  • $40,189net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1450SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.7Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Denver
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D
Denver, CO

University of Denver

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Colorado

  • 13,387enrollment
  • $43,324net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1410SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Union College
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U
Schenectady, NY

Union College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,082enrollment
  • $42,884net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1480SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Mount Holyoke College
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M
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,330enrollment
  • $35,782net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Rhode Island School of Design
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R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School of Design

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,540enrollment
  • $42,106net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1540SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.71Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Muhlenberg College
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M
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,818enrollment
  • $31,814net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1400SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Whitman College
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W
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,544enrollment
  • $41,601net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1480SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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DePauw University
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D
Greencastle, IN

DePauw University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,819enrollment
  • $30,507net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1430SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Furman University
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F
Greenville, SC

Furman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in South Carolina

  • 2,505enrollment
  • $32,901net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1425SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Chapman University
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C
Orange, CA

Chapman University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 9,961enrollment
  • $48,037net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Denison University
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D
Granville, OH

Denison University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,405enrollment
  • $42,177net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1470SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.76Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Brandeis University
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B
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,302enrollment
  • $44,668net price
  • 35%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

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Macalester College
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M
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Minnesota

  • 2,142enrollment
  • $38,571net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1510SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.81Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Tulsa
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T
Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Oklahoma

  • 3,559enrollment
  • $23,681net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1490SAT range
  • 24-33ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

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