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.


596 results nationwide

Lewis & Clark College
L
Portland, OR

Lewis & Clark College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,595enrollment
  • $35,832net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1400SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
M
Boston, MA

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 6,824enrollment
  • $38,776net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1370SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Adelphi University
A
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 7,252enrollment
  • $26,953net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1310SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Hofstra University
H
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 10,238enrollment
  • $35,036net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1370SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Oklahoma City University
O
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 2,550enrollment
  • $25,235net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1233SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Marist College
M
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,464enrollment
  • $39,364net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1378SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Springfield College
S
Springfield, MA

Springfield College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,921enrollment
  • $27,930net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

The College of Wooster
W
Wooster, OH

The College of Wooster

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,967enrollment
  • $28,976net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1450SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Loyola University Maryland
L
Baltimore, MD

Loyola University Maryland

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 5,238enrollment
  • $33,312net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1360SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Rollins College
R
Winter Park, FL

Rollins College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,029enrollment
  • $35,317net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1350SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Allegheny College
A
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,353enrollment
  • $26,719net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1114-1372SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Saint John Fisher College
S
Rochester, NY
 

Saint John Fisher College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,621enrollment
  • $28,312net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1260SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Lawrence University
L
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Wisconsin

  • 1,426enrollment
  • $26,368net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1460SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Butler University
B
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,525enrollment
  • $37,399net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Ohio Northern University
O
Ada, OH

Ohio Northern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,015enrollment
  • $27,398net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.78Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Duquesne University
D
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 8,107enrollment
  • $33,919net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Samford University
S
Birmingham, AL

Samford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 5,682enrollment
  • $31,803net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Ursinus College
U
Collegeville, PA

Ursinus College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $33,546net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1380SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1