Top Rated West Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the West for 2025

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

58 results

California Lutheran University
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C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $27,080net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1134-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Otis College of Art and Design
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O
Los Angeles, CA

Otis College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $49,440net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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University of La Verne
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L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,596enrollment
  • $27,216net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Carroll College
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C
Helena, MT

Carroll College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Montana

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $26,103net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 28

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Pacific University
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P
Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,479enrollment
  • $34,809net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 990-1240SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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George Fox University
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G
Newberg, OR

George Fox University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 4,531enrollment
  • $30,649net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Pacific Lutheran University
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P
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,737enrollment
  • $23,841net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 988-1258SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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The College of Idaho
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I
Caldwell, ID

The College of Idaho

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,076enrollment
  • $22,602net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Concordia University Irvine
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C
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,481enrollment
  • $29,413net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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William Jessup University
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W
Rocklin, CA
 

William Jessup University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,484enrollment
  • $28,171net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Brigham Young University Hawaii
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B
Laie, HI

Brigham Young University Hawaii

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,836enrollment
  • $17,887net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 985-1191SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.47Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Mount St. Mary's College
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M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,308enrollment
  • $27,434net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Fresno Pacific University
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F
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,921enrollment
  • $15,668net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1240SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northwest Nazarene University
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N
Nampa, ID

Northwest Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,774enrollment
  • $27,291net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 940-1210SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Saint Martin's University
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S
Lacey, WA

Saint Martin's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,505enrollment
  • $22,779net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 14-22ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Chaminade University of Honolulu
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C
Honolulu, HI

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,602enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1085-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Vanguard University of Southern California
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V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,273net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Hawaii Pacific University
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H
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 4,748enrollment
  • $32,204net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1068-1280SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 6

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