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.


198 results

Champlain College
C
Burlington, VT

Champlain College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Vermont

  • 3,328enrollment
  • $36,846net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1165-1340SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Roger Williams University
R
Bristol, RI

Roger Williams University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,344enrollment
  • $37,936net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Saint Michael's College
S
Colchester, VT

Saint Michael's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

  • 1,370enrollment
  • $30,806net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1310SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Gordon College
G
Wenham, MA

Gordon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $25,250net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1168-1370SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Roberts Wesleyan College
R
Rochester, NY
 

Roberts Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#37 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,619enrollment
  • $24,202net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 965-1250SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

Wagner College
W
Staten Island, NY

Wagner College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,932enrollment
  • $28,109net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Wentworth Institute of Technology
W
Boston, MA

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,018enrollment
  • $35,585net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Messiah College
M
Grantham, PA

Messiah College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,344enrollment
  • $29,882net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1340SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Saint Vincent College
S
Latrobe, PA

Saint Vincent College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,442enrollment
  • $23,857net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 993-1231SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham
F
Madison, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,778enrollment
  • $26,472net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 19-30ACT range
  • 3.42Estimated Avg GPA

University of Saint Joseph
S
West Hartford, CT

University of Saint Joseph

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 1,939enrollment
  • $27,558net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1250SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Monmouth University
M
West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 4,981enrollment
  • $33,228net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1125-1270SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

College of Our Lady of the Elms
O
Chicopee, MA

College of Our Lady of the Elms

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,332enrollment
  • $22,311net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Western New England University
W
Springfield, MA

Western New England University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,574enrollment
  • $31,548net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1310SAT range
  • 25-27ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

St John's University New York
S
Queens, NY

St John's University New York

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#39 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 19,691enrollment
  • $28,206net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Canisius College
C
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#40 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,545enrollment
  • $19,321net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Emmanuel College
E
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,059enrollment
  • $33,214net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Hartwick College
H
Oneonta, NY

Hartwick College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#41 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,113enrollment
  • $26,818net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA