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

St Olaf College
Connect Me
S
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,074enrollment
  • $27,282net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1470SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Joseph's University
Connect Me
S
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Joseph's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 7,201enrollment
  • $36,392net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Austin College
Connect Me
A
Sherman, TX

Austin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Texas

  • 1,136enrollment
  • $24,777net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Baylor University
Connect Me
B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 20,824enrollment
  • $49,727net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Mary's College
Connect Me
S
Notre Dame, IN

Saint Mary's College

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,518enrollment
  • $30,389net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
The New School
Connect Me
N
New York, NY

The New School

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 9,434enrollment
  • $62,226net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.59Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Gonzaga University
Connect Me
G
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 7,306enrollment
  • $40,295net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Ithaca College
Connect Me
I
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 4,828enrollment
  • $34,297net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1370SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of the Pacific
Connect Me
T
Stockton, CA

University of the Pacific

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 6,755enrollment
  • $30,975net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Union University
Connect Me
U
Jackson, TN

Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,674enrollment
  • $27,191net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1340SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Connect Me
M
Boston, MA

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 6,321enrollment
  • $37,182net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1340SAT range
  • 23-33ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wheaton College
Connect Me
W
Norton, MA

Wheaton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,778enrollment
  • $31,638net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1420SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Allegheny College
Connect Me
A
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,231enrollment
  • $27,929net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pratt Institute Main
Connect Me
P
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 5,232enrollment
  • $51,702net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1420SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bard College
Connect Me
B
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,922enrollment
  • $25,218net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1440SAT range
  • 30-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
The College of Wooster
Connect Me
W
Wooster, OH

The College of Wooster

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,876enrollment
  • $29,529net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1450SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rochester Institute of Technology
Connect Me
R
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 16,863enrollment
  • $39,753net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1460SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Clarkson University
Connect Me
C
Potsdam, NY

Clarkson University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,603enrollment
  • $33,192net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1198-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best private colleges by state: