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.


161 results

Malone University
M
Canton, OH
 

Malone University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,205enrollment
  • $23,362net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 885-1236SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Carroll University
C
Waukesha, WI
 

Carroll University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 3,176enrollment
  • $25,171net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

Otterbein University
O
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,357enrollment
  • $22,242net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1035-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Capital University
C
Columbus, OH

Capital University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,388enrollment
  • $22,480net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Central College
C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,095enrollment
  • $22,499net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 935-1205SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Franciscan University of Steubenville
F
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,750enrollment
  • $24,490net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.78Avg GPA

Maryville University of Saint Louis
M
Saint Louis, MO
 

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 9,883enrollment
  • $26,733net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Northwestern College
N
Saint Paul, MN
 

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,262enrollment
  • $26,779net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 981-1293SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Spring Arbor University
S
Spring Arbor, MI
 

Spring Arbor University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,390enrollment
  • $21,720net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 935-1165SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

College of Mount St. Joseph
M
Cincinnati, OH
 

College of Mount St. Joseph

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,083enrollment
  • $15,887net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 880-1083SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Dominican University
D
River Forest, IL

Dominican University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,424enrollment
  • $16,969net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 934-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

Walsh University
W
North Canton, OH
 

Walsh University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,160enrollment
  • $21,009net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1056-1215SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Wartburg College
W
Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,472enrollment
  • $23,321net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 978-1235SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Ashland University
A
Ashland, OH
 

Ashland University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 4,143enrollment
  • $21,971net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1255SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Mercy College of Ohio
M
Toledo, OH
 

Mercy College of Ohio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,150enrollment
  • $15,705net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Huntington University
H
Huntington, IN
 

Huntington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,504enrollment
  • $21,149net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Anderson University
A
Anderson, IN

Anderson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,255enrollment
  • $21,914net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

McKendree University
M
Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,075enrollment
  • $25,200net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 871-1277SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA