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

Hiram College
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H
Hiram, OH

Hiram College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,011enrollment
  • $21,362net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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North Park University
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N
Chicago, IL

North Park University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,624enrollment
  • $19,910net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1162SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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University of Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

University of Indianapolis

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,447enrollment
  • $19,903net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Quincy University
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Q
Quincy, IL

Quincy University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,280enrollment
  • $17,424net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
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C
Fayette, MO
 

Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,017enrollment
  • $25,050net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1041-1138SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Northwestern College
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N
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,665enrollment
  • $24,737net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Northwood University Michigan
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N
Midland, MI

Northwood University Michigan

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $26,429net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Carthage College
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C
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,771enrollment
  • $24,962net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1205SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Mount Vernon Nazarene University
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M
Mount Vernon, OH
 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,845enrollment
  • $23,293net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 963-1228SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Judson University
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J
Elgin, IL

Judson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,058enrollment
  • $21,331net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 860-1080SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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Siena Heights University
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S
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,832enrollment
  • $17,740net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne
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S
Fort Wayne, IN
 

University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $20,897net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Graceland University Lamoni
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G
Lamoni, IA
 

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,195enrollment
  • $16,632net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Hastings College
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H
Hastings, NE
 

Hastings College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,011enrollment
  • $21,821net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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University of Dubuque
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D
Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,795enrollment
  • $25,216net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Aquinas College
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A
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,295enrollment
  • $19,890net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Buena Vista University
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B
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,951enrollment
  • $18,156net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Lindenwood University
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L
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 7,288enrollment
  • $18,698net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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