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

Quinnipiac University
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Q
Hamden, CT

Quinnipiac University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 8,918enrollment
  • $39,632net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Lawrence University
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L
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Wisconsin

  • 1,410enrollment
  • $27,393net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1430SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Loyola University Maryland
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L
Baltimore, MD

Loyola University Maryland

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 5,107enrollment
  • $31,857net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1350SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Southwestern University
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S
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,457enrollment
  • $30,687net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Dallas
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D
Irving, TX

University of Dallas

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,182enrollment
  • $31,221net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1370SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Duquesne University
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D
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 8,137enrollment
  • $35,125net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1350SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Bradley University
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B
Peoria, IL

Bradley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,217enrollment
  • $24,703net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

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University of Puget Sound
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P
Tacoma, WA

University of Puget Sound

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,914enrollment
  • $42,301net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1185-1390SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Adelphi University
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A
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 7,406enrollment
  • $28,671net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1310SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

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University of St Thomas
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S
Saint Paul, MN

University of St Thomas

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 9,121enrollment
  • $32,637net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1223-1416SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Lewis & Clark College
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L
Portland, OR

Lewis & Clark College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,526enrollment
  • $38,247net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
  • 3.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Butler University
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B
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,763enrollment
  • $40,140net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Bryant University
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B
Smithfield, RI

Bryant University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 3,592enrollment
  • $40,612net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Ursinus College
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U
Collegeville, PA

Ursinus College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,492enrollment
  • $31,625net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Hofstra University
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H
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 10,393enrollment
  • $35,687net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1380SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

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University of Dayton
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D
Dayton, OH

University of Dayton

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 11,304enrollment
  • $31,551net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1370SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Saint John Fisher College
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S
Rochester, NY
 

Saint John Fisher College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,674enrollment
  • $28,969net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1280SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Rollins College
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R
Winter Park, FL

Rollins College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,013enrollment
  • $37,134net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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