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

Rochester Institute of Technology
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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

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Clarkson University
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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

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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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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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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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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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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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New York Institute of Technology
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N
Old Westbury, NY

New York Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,757enrollment
  • $23,074net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1390SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Emerson College
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E
Boston, MA

Emerson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,670enrollment
  • $50,703net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1410SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 20

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Marist College
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M
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,452enrollment
  • $40,106net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1360SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Moravian University
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M
Bethlehem, PA

Moravian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,658enrollment
  • $30,720net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Nazareth College
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N
Rochester, NY

Nazareth College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,439enrollment
  • $31,321net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Washington & Jefferson College
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W
Washington, PA

Washington & Jefferson College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,162enrollment
  • $26,051net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Molloy College
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M
Rockville Centre, NY
 

Molloy College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 4,970enrollment
  • $25,938net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1310SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Seton Hall University
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S
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 9,494enrollment
  • $31,642net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1400SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Le Moyne College
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L
Syracuse, NY

Le Moyne College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,154enrollment
  • $22,139net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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