Top Rated U.S. Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the United States. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the highest ranked private college in America is Princeton University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Private 4 year

595 results nationwide

Franklin and Marshall College
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F
Lancaster, PA

Franklin and Marshall College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,990enrollment
  • $31,135net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1440SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Kenyon College
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K
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,885enrollment
  • $43,044net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1515SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.84Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Miami
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M
Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 19,402enrollment
  • $36,467net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1480SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Santa Clara University
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S
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 9,178enrollment
  • $50,551net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1480SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 7

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Lafayette College
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L
Easton, PA

Lafayette College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,729enrollment
  • $37,186net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1480SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Villanova University
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V
Villanova, PA

Villanova University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 10,383enrollment
  • $34,837net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1378-1500SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Southern Methodist University
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S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 12,053enrollment
  • $45,094net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Smith College
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S
Northampton, MA

Smith College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,873enrollment
  • $30,790net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1520SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Trinity University
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T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 2,692enrollment
  • $30,038net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Loyola Marymount University
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L
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,165enrollment
  • $52,815net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Bucknell University
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B
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,787enrollment
  • $39,965net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Occidental College
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O
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,942enrollment
  • $44,853net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

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George Washington University
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G
Washington, DC

George Washington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 25,939enrollment
  • $42,723net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1490SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.81Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Connecticut College
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C
New London, CT

Connecticut College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 1,948enrollment
  • $43,220net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Gettysburg College
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G
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,854enrollment
  • $33,882net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1440SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Union College
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U
Schenectady, NY

Union College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,107enrollment
  • $41,136net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1490SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Reed College
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R
Portland, OR

Reed College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Oregon

  • 1,534enrollment
  • $33,106net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1500SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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Boston University
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B
Boston, MA

Boston University

Private 4 Year

10 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 36,714enrollment
  • $27,829net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

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