Top Rated U.S. Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the United States. Leading the rankings for 2024 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

596 results nationwide

Seattle University
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S
Seattle, WA

Seattle University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Washington

  • 7,121enrollment
  • $35,412net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1380SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of San Francisco
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San Francisco, CA

University of San Francisco

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 9,688enrollment
  • $42,953net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1410SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Fairfield University
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F
Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 6,019enrollment
  • $46,065net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1370SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Saint Joseph's University
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Philadelphia, PA

Saint Joseph's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 7,861enrollment
  • $33,777net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.65Avg 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

#3 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $30,096net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1330SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

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Baylor University
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B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 20,709enrollment
  • $45,988net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1410SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Westmont College
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W
Santa Barbara, CA
 

Westmont College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $33,112net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1458SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Centre College
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Danville, KY

Centre College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Kentucky

  • 1,357enrollment
  • $23,584net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1470SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.62Avg 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

  • 2,992enrollment
  • $46,462net price
  • 35%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1530SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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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

  • 4,685enrollment
  • $30,333net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Touro College
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New York, NY

Touro College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 11,111enrollment
  • $23,960net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1428SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

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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

  • 3,770enrollment
  • $32,053net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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St Olaf College
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S
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,046enrollment
  • $26,171net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1480SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Gonzaga University
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Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 7,253enrollment
  • $38,727net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1410SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Tulsa
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Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Oklahoma

  • 3,769enrollment
  • $28,087net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1078-1350SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

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St Lawrence University
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S
Canton, NY

St Lawrence University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,175enrollment
  • $33,283net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1410SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Westminster College
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W
Salt Lake City, UT

Westminster College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Utah

  • 1,280enrollment
  • $27,068net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1166-1373SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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University of the Pacific
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Stockton, CA

University of the Pacific

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 6,277enrollment
  • $28,164net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1423SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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