Let’s take a look at the top 20 private universities in the U.S. according to the U.S. News rankings.

Harvard University, Princeton University and Yale University are often mentioned as top private universities, but the list of prestigious private schools in the U.S. is not limited to Ivy League institutions.

Among the top 20 schools in the National Universities ranking, most are private institutions. While many other public universities rank highly, there are certain distinctions between public and private institutions.

• Private universities tend to be more selective in admitting students, with stricter admissions criteria. This contrasts with public universities, which cater to a broader student base. With smaller student bodies and lower acceptance rates, students with average academic performance may have less chance to benefit from the education offered at prestigious private universities. Most of the top 20 private universities had fewer than 10,000 undergraduate students enrolled in 2019. (For example, Stanford University in California accepted only 4% of applicants in fall 2019, according to U.S. News data.)
• Private universities also often benefit from substantial funding to cover expenses such as academic programs, student support packages, and school facilities. Meanwhile, public universities are usually funded through taxes and are overseen by the state.
• These factors (selective admissions, smaller student bodies, and ample financial resources) contribute to ensuring successful outcomes for students. On average, the six-year graduation rate for private non-profit universities is around 67% for bachelor’s degrees, compared to 61% at public universities (according to statistics from the National Center for Education).
• Typically, private universities have higher tuition rates compared to public institutions. These tuition rates are similar to those for out-of-state students at public universities. However, private universities are also generous in offering financial aid to help students afford their education.

Let’s take a look at the list of top private universities in the U.S. in the table below.

(Data is based on undergraduate enrollment for fall 2019, along with acceptance rates and tuition fees of the universities. This list does not include Ivy League schools and liberal arts colleges.)

Top 20 Private Universities in the U.S.

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