Top Rated East Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in the East for 2024

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


196 results

Barnard College
B
New York, NY

Barnard College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,442enrollment
  • $26,009net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

Haverford College
H
Haverford, PA

Haverford College

Private 4 Year

7 reviews

#1 Best Value in Pennsylvania

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $23,476net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

New York University
N
New York, NY

New York University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 59,144enrollment
  • $29,499net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Swarthmore College
S
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,625enrollment
  • $20,715net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1560SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.9Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

Carnegie Mellon University
C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 16,002enrollment
  • $33,499net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Bates College
B
Lewiston, ME

Bates College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Maine

  • 1,790enrollment
  • $27,491net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1520SAT range
  • 32-33ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Colby College
C
Waterville, ME

Colby College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 2,299enrollment
  • $16,951net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Boston College
B
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 15,287enrollment
  • $30,559net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1435-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Trinity College
T
Hartford, CT

Trinity College

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Connecticut

  • 2,205enrollment
  • $32,704net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1470SAT range
  • 30-32ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 17

Vassar College
V
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,459enrollment
  • $30,603net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1535SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Skidmore College
S
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,758enrollment
  • $33,389net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Yeshiva University
Y
New York, NY

Yeshiva University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,056enrollment
  • $35,912net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1500SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

University of Rochester
R
Rochester, NY

University of Rochester

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 12,197enrollment
  • $39,775net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1540SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

Lehigh University
L
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 7,394enrollment
  • $30,453net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.81Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Franklin and Marshall College
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

Lafayette College
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

Villanova University
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

Smith College
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