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

Bucknell University
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

Connecticut College
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

Gettysburg College
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

Union College
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

Boston University
B
Boston, MA

Boston University

Private 4 Year

9 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

Bryn Mawr College
B
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,742enrollment
  • $39,072net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1495SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Mount Holyoke College
M
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,392enrollment
  • $35,765net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1540SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

College of the Holy Cross
H
Worcester, MA

College of the Holy Cross

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,083enrollment
  • $34,679net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Muhlenberg College
M
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,959enrollment
  • $32,926net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1400SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Brandeis University
B
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,581enrollment
  • $45,565net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Rhode Island School of Design
R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School of Design

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,620enrollment
  • $39,800net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1525SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.71Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Stevens Institute of Technology
S
Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in New Jersey

  • 9,314enrollment
  • $41,689net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1380-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

Simmons University
S
Boston, MA

Simmons University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,710enrollment
  • $24,423net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1390SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
R
Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 6,968enrollment
  • $39,127net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1520SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Bentley University
B
Waltham, MA

Bentley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,165enrollment
  • $44,233net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1258-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Babson College
B
Wellesley, MA

Babson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,989enrollment
  • $28,400net price
  • 22%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1510SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 3

Fordham University
F
Bronx, NY

Fordham University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 16,556enrollment
  • $43,943net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1480SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Providence College
P
Providence, RI

Providence College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,473enrollment
  • $43,970net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15