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

Elon University
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E
Elon, NC

Elon University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,207enrollment
  • $41,849net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1143-1305SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.65Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

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Drake University
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D
Des Moines, IA

Drake University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 4,504enrollment
  • $30,886net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1390SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Rhodes College
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R
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,952enrollment
  • $30,590net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1490SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Westmont College
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W
Santa Barbara, CA
 

Westmont College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,310enrollment
  • $36,412net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1212-1418SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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University of Portland
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P
Portland, OR

University of Portland

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,457enrollment
  • $34,951net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1356SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Pepperdine University
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P
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 9,545enrollment
  • $52,216net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1450SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Touro College
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T
New York, NY

Touro College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 11,953enrollment
  • $25,934net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1275-1440SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

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Saint Louis University Main Campus
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S
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Missouri

  • 17,202enrollment
  • $30,911net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1430SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.95Avg GPA

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Westminster College
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W
Salt Lake City, UT

Westminster College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Utah

  • 1,214enrollment
  • $28,156net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1148-1378SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Centre College
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C
Danville, KY

Centre College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Kentucky

  • 1,356enrollment
  • $23,780net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1423SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Manhattan College
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M
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,495enrollment
  • $28,349net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Clark University
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C
Worcester, MA

Clark University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,124enrollment
  • $32,767net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1400SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Wofford College
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W
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College

Private 4 Year

8 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,873enrollment
  • $31,061net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1350SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Oberlin College
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O
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,976enrollment
  • $50,484net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Wheaton College
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W
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,799enrollment
  • $31,346net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1440SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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St Lawrence University
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S
Canton, NY

St Lawrence University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,089enrollment
  • $36,175net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1255-1410SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Illinois Wesleyan University
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I
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,576enrollment
  • $31,310net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

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Syracuse University
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S
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 22,948enrollment
  • $51,520net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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