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

Texas Christian University
Connect Me
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 12,785enrollment
  • $39,005net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1375SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bentley University
Connect Me
B
Waltham, MA

Bentley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,264enrollment
  • $43,858net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1410SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Drexel University
Connect Me
D
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 21,703enrollment
  • $42,342net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1430SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.67Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Creighton University
Connect Me
C
Omaha, NE

Creighton University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Nebraska

  • 8,255enrollment
  • $33,364net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1400SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Stevens Institute of Technology
Connect Me
S
Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in New Jersey

  • 8,842enrollment
  • $43,665net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rose Hulman Institute of Technology
Connect Me
R
Terre Haute, IN

Rose Hulman Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,250enrollment
  • $44,016net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1470SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of San Francisco
Connect Me
S
San Francisco, CA

University of San Francisco

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 9,212enrollment
  • $44,104net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Babson College
Connect Me
B
Wellesley, MA

Babson College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,943enrollment
  • $30,220net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1380-1500SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 3

Compare Calculate my chances 
Providence College
Connect Me
P
Providence, RI

Providence College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,635enrollment
  • $46,645net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1400SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Simmons University
Connect Me
S
Boston, MA

Simmons University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,053enrollment
  • $29,575net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Connect Me
R
Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 7,024enrollment
  • $35,940net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1500SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Brigham Young University Provo
Connect Me
B
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo

Private 4 Year

15 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Utah

  • 35,074enrollment
  • $14,643net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1450SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 16

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fordham University
Connect Me
F
Bronx, NY

Fordham University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 16,153enrollment
  • $45,368net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Sarah Lawrence College
Connect Me
S
Bronxville, NY

Sarah Lawrence College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,743enrollment
  • $43,571net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1440SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fairfield University
Connect Me
F
Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 6,289enrollment
  • $47,630net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1380SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Seattle University
Connect Me
S
Seattle, WA

Seattle University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Washington

  • 7,182enrollment
  • $37,103net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northeastern University
Connect Me
N
Boston, MA

Northeastern University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 31,159enrollment
  • $34,770net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1460-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hobart William Smith Colleges
Connect Me
H
Geneva, NY

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,669enrollment
  • $33,172net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1360SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best private colleges by state: