Top Rated New England Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in New England for 2025

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in New England. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the highest ranked private college in New England is Harvard University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


63 results

Harvard University
H
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in America

  • 30,386enrollment
  • $17,900net price
  • 3%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Yale University
Y
New Haven, CT

Yale University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Colleges in America

  • 15,081enrollment
  • $26,044net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.95Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in America

  • 11,920enrollment
  • $21,519net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1510-1580SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 3.96Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Brown University
B
Providence, RI

Brown University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Colleges in America

  • 11,516enrollment
  • $26,608net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.94Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

Dartmouth College
D
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#12 Best Colleges in America

  • 6,746enrollment
  • $17,322net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 3

Williams College
W
Williamstown, MA

Williams College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in America

  • 2,168enrollment
  • $16,988net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.94Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

Amherst College
A
Amherst, MA

Amherst College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,910enrollment
  • $17,965net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1550SAT range
  • 31-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

Wellesley College
W
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Colleges in America

  • 2,418enrollment
  • $21,501net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 8

Bowdoin College
B
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#21 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 1,850enrollment
  • $23,110net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

Middlebury College
M
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 2,857enrollment
  • $22,912net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1550SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Wesleyan University
W
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 3,271enrollment
  • $20,463net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Tufts University
T
Medford, MA

Tufts University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 13,274enrollment
  • $33,333net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1460-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Colby College
C
Waterville, ME

Colby College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 2,284enrollment
  • $15,163net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Bates College
B
Lewiston, ME

Bates College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Maine

  • 1,753enrollment
  • $26,658net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1510SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Trinity College
T
Hartford, CT

Trinity College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Connecticut

  • 2,276enrollment
  • $31,806net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 17

Boston College
B
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 15,280enrollment
  • $32,590net price
  • 16%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1540SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Smith College
S
Northampton, MA

Smith College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,830enrollment
  • $27,823net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1408-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Connecticut College
C
New London, CT

Connecticut College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 1,995enrollment
  • $42,941net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1470SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1