Top Rated U.S. Private Colleges

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in the United States. Leading the rankings for 2027 as the highest ranked private college in America is Princeton University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.

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Private 4 Year
Gettysburg College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Gettysburg, PA
  • 5.0 | 2 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Gettysburg is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate history and political science. The campus borders Gettysburg National Military Park and the Civil War battlefield.

#11 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1270-1460
  • Avg GPA NA
  • Acceptance Rate 39%
  • Net Price $32,769
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Mount Holyoke College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • South Hadley, MA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Mount Holyoke is a private women's liberal arts college known for undergraduate sciences, international relations, and economics. The South Hadley campus is part of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Smith, Hampshire, and UMass Amherst.

#11 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1380-1530
  • Avg GPA 3.87
  • Acceptance Rate 36%
  • Net Price $32,526
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George Washington University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Washington, DC
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jan 5 application deadline

George Washington is a private university known for undergraduate international affairs, political science, and public policy. The urban Foggy Bottom campus sits near the White House and major federal agencies.

#2 Best Colleges in District Of Columbia 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1350-1500
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.81
  • Acceptance Rate 47%
  • Net Price $46,485
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Bryn Mawr College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Bryn Mawr, PA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Bryn Mawr is a highly selective private women's liberal arts college known for undergraduate sciences, archaeology, and classics. The suburban Main Line campus outside Philadelphia shares courses and resources with nearby Haverford and Swarthmore.

#12 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1280-1510
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.85
  • Acceptance Rate 29%
  • Net Price $33,221
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Union College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Schenectady, NY
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Union is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate engineering alongside the sciences and social sciences. Most students belong to Minerva Houses that organize dining and campus social life.

#11 Best Private Colleges in New York 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1310-1480
  • Avg GPA 3.5
  • Acceptance Rate 44%
  • Net Price $42,137
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University of Denver Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Denver, CO
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

University of Denver is a private university known for undergraduate international studies and business. The campus sits in a residential Denver neighborhood near the Rocky Mountains.

#2 Best Colleges in Colorado 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1240-1410
  • Avg GPA 3.72
  • Acceptance Rate 78%
  • Net Price $45,451
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Whitman College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Walla Walla, WA
  • 3.4 | 5 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Whitman is a highly selective private liberal arts college known for undergraduate biology, chemistry, and environmental studies. The residential campus sits in the small college town of Walla Walla.

#1 Best Private Colleges in Washington 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1310-1480
  • Avg GPA 3.68
  • Acceptance Rate 38%
  • Net Price $37,633
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The University of the South Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Sewanee, TN
  • 4.5 | 2 reviews
  • Feb 1 application deadline

Sewanee is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate English, creative writing, and environmental studies. The campus occupies a 13,000-acre domain on Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau.

#2 Best Colleges in Tennessee 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1260-1390
  • Avg GPA NA
  • Acceptance Rate 57%
  • Net Price $34,815
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Brandeis University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Waltham, MA
  • 4.0 | 1 reviews

Brandeis is a private university known for undergraduate neuroscience, biology, and the social sciences. The suburban campus in Waltham sits just west of Boston.

#12 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1390-1520
  • Avg GPA 3.84
  • Acceptance Rate 40%
  • Net Price $43,550
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Rhode Island School of Design Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Providence, RI
  • | 0 reviews
  • Feb 1 application deadline

RISD is a highly selective private art and design college known for undergraduate fine arts, industrial design, and architecture. The urban Providence campus borders Brown University and offers a dual-degree program with it.

#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1396-1530
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.71
  • Acceptance Rate 19%
  • Net Price $43,492
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Connecticut College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • New London, CT
  • 4.8 | 4 reviews
  • Jan 1 application deadline

Connecticut College is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate environmental studies and international relations. Much of the campus sits within a large arboretum overlooking the Thames River.

#4 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1350-1500
  • Avg GPA 3.7
  • Acceptance Rate 37%
  • Net Price $45,700
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American University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Washington, DC
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

American University is a private university known for undergraduate international relations, political science, and communications. The residential campus sits in northwest Washington, D.C., near the city's diplomatic quarter.

#3 Best Colleges in District Of Columbia 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1280-1460
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.7
  • Acceptance Rate 62%
  • Net Price $39,676
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Denison University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Granville, OH
  • 3.7 | 3 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Denison is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate economics, the sciences, and theatre. Most students live on the hillside residential campus in the village of Granville.

#3 Best Colleges in Ohio 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1320-1490
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.76
  • Acceptance Rate 17%
  • Net Price $43,721
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Muhlenberg College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Allentown, PA
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews
  • Feb 1 application deadline

Muhlenberg is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate theater, biology, and media and communication. The residential campus sits in Allentown in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley.

#13 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1250-1410
  • Avg GPA 3.44
  • Acceptance Rate 72%
  • Net Price $34,739
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Macalester College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Saint Paul, MN
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Macalester is a selective private liberal arts college known for undergraduate international studies, political science, and economics. The urban campus sits in Saint Paul within the Twin Cities.

#2 Best Colleges in Minnesota 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1350-1510
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.81
  • Acceptance Rate 29%
  • Net Price $40,225
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DePauw University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Greencastle, IN
  • 3.5 | 2 reviews
  • Feb 1 application deadline

DePauw is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate music and communication. Most students join the large Greek system on its college-town campus in Greencastle.

#2 Best Colleges in Indiana 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1200-1410
  • Avg GPA 3.97
  • Acceptance Rate 57%
  • Net Price $31,411
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Chapman University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Orange, CA
  • 4.3 | 6 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Chapman is a private university known for undergraduate film, media arts, and performing arts. The suburban campus is in the city of Orange in Southern California's Orange County.

#10 Best Private Colleges in California 8/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1260-1440
  • Avg GPA 3.7
  • Acceptance Rate 65%
  • Net Price $47,902
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Furman University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Greenville, SC
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Furman is a private liberal arts university known for undergraduate biology, political science, and business. The residential campus centers on a lake just outside Greenville.

#1 Best Value in South Carolina 8/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1260-1430
  • Avg GPA 3.61
  • Acceptance Rate 43%
  • Net Price $34,086
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