50 Best Private Universities in United States

Compare 50 Private universities in United States — ranked best first, with tuition fees, duration, intakes and entry requirements.

Subject

Level

University type

Location

Reset

Universities 50 Programs 432 Scholarships 2,551

50 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

1Best overall

QS World #1 #1 in United States Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Private University — The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1861 to advance "useful knowledge", the university has...

USD 51,000 – USD 69,000/yrTuition (indicative)

1861Founded

11,900Students

3,900International

Admissions open

80.5 / 100 · Outstanding

View university → Add to compare

2Top pick

QS World #4 #2 in United States Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Harvard University

Private University — Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636, and named Harvard College in 1639 in honor of its first benefactor...

USD 48,500 – USD 65,500/yrTuition (indicative)

1636Founded

21,000Students

5,200International

Admissions open

78.8 / 100 · Outstanding

View university → Add to compare

3Top pick

QS World #34 #3 in United States New York, United States

Columbia University

Private University — Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a private Ivy League research university in New York City, United States. Established in 1754 as...

USD 56,000 – USD 76,000/yrTuition (indicative)

1754Founded

33,000Students

12,000International

Admissions open

78.0 / 100 · Outstanding

View university → Add to compare

4Ranked

QS World #6 #4 in United States Stanford, California, United States

Stanford University

Private University — Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University, is a private research university in Stanford, California, United States. It was founded in 1885 by railroad ma...

USD 52,500 – USD 71,500/yrTuition (indicative)

1885Founded

17,000Students

4,000International

Admissions open

74.5 / 100 · Excellent

View university → Add to compare

5Ranked

QS World #23 #5 in United States New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Yale University

Private University — Yale University is a private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United...

USD 54,500 – USD 73,500/yrTuition (indicative)

1701Founded

14,500Students

3,000International

Admissions open

72.2 / 100 · Excellent

View university → Add to compare

6Ranked

#59 in United States Orlando, Florida, United States

Ana G. Mendez University

Private University — Ana G. Mendez University is a private university located in Orlando, Florida, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 13,575/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

4,763Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

7Ranked

#163 in United States Lakewood, New Jersey, United States

Beth Medrash Govoha

Private University — Beth Medrash Govoha is a private university located in Lakewood, New Jersey, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

4,027Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

8Ranked

#293 in United States Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Calvin University

Private University — Calvin University is a private university located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 39,350/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

3,193Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

9Ranked

#333 in United States Cedarville, Ohio, United States

Cedarville University

Private University — Cedarville University is a private university located in Cedarville, Ohio, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 37,150/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

4,024Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

10Ranked

#489 in United States New York, United States

Columbia University in the City of New York

Private University — Columbia University in the City of New York is a private university located in New York, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 71,845/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

8,973Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

11Ranked

#509 in United States Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

Concordia University-Saint Paul

Private University — Concordia University-Saint Paul is a private university located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 25,600/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

3,018Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

12Ranked

#655 in United States Elmhurst, Illinois, United States

Elmhurst University

Private University — Elmhurst University is a private university located in Elmhurst, Illinois, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 42,955/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

3,006Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

13Ranked

#658 in United States Elon, North Carolina, United States

Elon University

Private University — Elon University is a private university located in Elon, North Carolina, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 46,958/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

6,452Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

14Ranked

#660 in United States Daytona Beach, Florida, United States

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Private University — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is a private university located in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College S...

USD 44,249/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

7,860Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

15Ranked

#661 in United States Prescott, Arizona, United States

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

Private University — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott is a private university located in Prescott, Arizona, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 44,149/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

3,218Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

16Ranked

#662 in United States Daytona Beach, Florida, United States

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

Private University — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide is a private university located in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Score...

USD 12,097/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

9,139Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

17Ranked

#678 in United States Albany, New York, United States

Excelsior University

Private University — Excelsior University is a private university located in Albany, New York, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

11,550Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

18Ranked

#918 in United States Marion, Indiana, United States

Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global

Private University — Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global is a private university located in Marion, Indiana, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 8,208/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

6,656Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

19Ranked

#921 in United States Bayamon, Puerto Rico, United States

Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon

Private University — Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon is a private university located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Score...

USD 5,780/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

3,476Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

20Ranked

#965 in United States Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Private University — Johnson & Wales University-Providence is a private university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 42,419/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

3,868Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

21Ranked

#1,120 in United States Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Loyola University Maryland

Private University — Loyola University Maryland is a private university located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 57,150/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

3,869Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

22Ranked

#1,151 in United States Poughkeepsie, New York, United States

Marist University

Private University — Marist University is a private university located in Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 47,750/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

5,182Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

23Ranked

#1,164 in United States Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Private University — Maryville University of Saint Louis is a private university located in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College Scorecard).

USD 27,166/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

5,658Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

24Ranked

#1,167 in United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Private University — Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a private university located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Its programmes are accredited by US Dept. of Education (College...

USD 40,530/yrTuition (indicative)

—Founded

3,451Students

—International

Admissions open

27.3 / 100 · Rated

View university → Add to compare

By state

New York Puerto Rico

By university type

Public universities

Browse by subject

Business & Management Engineering Computer Science & IT Medicine & Health Sciences Social Sciences & Psychology Arts, Design & Architecture Science Media & Communication Life Sciences Languages & Linguistics Economics & Public Policy

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for Private universities in United States?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Columbia University. The full ranked list above shows QS positions, tuition fees and entry requirements for each one.

How much does it cost to study Private universities in United States?

Tuition varies widely by university and program, and international students usually pay more than domestic students. Every listing above shows the fee we hold for that program — labelled indicative where it has not yet been verified against the university's own published figures.

How are these universities ranked?

We use a transparent composite score combining QS World positions, each institution's star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. See our ranking methodology for the exact weights.

About Private universities in United States

This page lists Private universities in United States held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

Get your destination country university & scholarship updates

New scholarships, application deadlines and admission guides — a couple of emails a month, no spam.