The 100 Best Private Colleges in America

The 100 Best Private Colleges in America

Choosing a college can be one of the most important decisions in a person's life. The universities that students attend will train them for their future careers, give them the education they need to think critically and solve real-world problems, and connect them to a lifelong social network and community. While invaluable, the benefits of higher education don't come cheap—especially if the choice is a private school. Tuition and fees at private colleges clocked in at more than $35,000 a year on average in the 2018-2019 school year. That's nearly four times as much as what a student would typically spend to attend an in-state public college, according to data from U.S. News & World Report. No wonder recent graduates of private nonprofit schools typically shoulder about $32,600 in student debt, according to Matt Carter of Credible.

The only way an investment in private college can potentially pay off is if students do their homework to find a school that fits their academic interests and social needs—which vary significantly from person to person. Some schools, like the University of San Diego and Bryn Mawr College, boast gorgeous campuses and idyllic settings to inspire learning. Other private colleges, like the Massachusetts Institute