Top Rated Midwest Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the Midwest for 2025

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

161 results

Concordia University Wisconsin
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C
Mequon, WI

Concordia University Wisconsin

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 5,063enrollment
  • $28,060net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Webster University
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W
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 7,606enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1006-1233SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

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Saint Ambrose University
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S
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,703enrollment
  • $23,578net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Lewis University
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L
Romeoville, IL
 

Lewis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 6,636enrollment
  • $19,472net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Cornell College
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C
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,084enrollment
  • $25,850net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1318SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Dordt College
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D
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $27,925net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Roosevelt University
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R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 4,015enrollment
  • $21,503net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 820-1090SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

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School of the Art Institute of Chicago
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S
Chicago, IL

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,401enrollment
  • $55,485net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1048-1260SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 15

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Benedictine University
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B
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,989enrollment
  • $24,570net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Wittenberg University
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W
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,333enrollment
  • $21,457net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Olivet Nazarene University
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O
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,275enrollment
  • $22,707net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Mount Union
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M
Alliance, OH

University of Mount Union

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,169enrollment
  • $22,835net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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The University of Findlay
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F
Findlay, OH

The University of Findlay

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 5,057enrollment
  • $26,215net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1213SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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University of St Francis
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S
Joliet, IL

University of St Francis

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,185enrollment
  • $16,455net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 900-1170SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Millikin University
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M
Decatur, IL

Millikin University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,659enrollment
  • $10,078net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 860-1170SAT range
  • 14-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Nebraska Wesleyan University
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N
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,690enrollment
  • $24,863net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Viterbo University
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V
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,301enrollment
  • $23,901net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1380SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Drury University
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D
Springfield, MO
 

Drury University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,596enrollment
  • $22,194net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1310SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 30

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