Top Rated East Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the East for 2025

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the East. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the highest ranked private college in the East is Princeton University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
East Private 4 year

198 results

Fordham University
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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

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Sarah Lawrence College
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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

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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

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

Applications Due Jan 15

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Northeastern University
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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

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Hobart William Smith Colleges
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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

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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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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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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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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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Saint Joseph's University
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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

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The New School
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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

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Ithaca College
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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

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Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
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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

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Wheaton College
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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

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Allegheny College
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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

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Pratt Institute Main
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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

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Bard College
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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

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