Top Private Universities in USA 2024
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Are you planning to apply to private universities in USA? Here's a guide to help you choose some of the best private universities in USA based on rankings, cost of studying, admission process, acceptance rates, and other corresponding details. Check out the article for all major details.
International students applying for admission to the USA often are torn between their choice of choosing either a public university or a private university. Though public universities in the USA may be more than private universities but if given the option to study in the USA that too at a private US university, international students would definitely choose this option. Private universities in the USA dominate the rankings, with a certain level of education and research-related opportunities. The article focuses on the private universities of the USA and why international students should choose to study there if admitted.
Top 10 Private Universities in USA
Following is a list of the top 10 ranking private universities in the USA as per QS and THE for the year 2024:
| Private Universities in USA |
QS - World University Rankings 2024 |
THE - World University Rankings 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |
#5 |
|
| #3 |
#3 |
|
| #5 |
#5 |
|
| #6 |
#6 |
|
| #10 |
#13 |
|
| #13 |
#14 |
|
| #16 |
#7 |
|
| #18 |
#9 |
|
| #20 |
#20 |
|
| #22 |
#11 |
Why Study at Private Universities in USA?
There are numerous reasons as to why one should choose a private university over a public university in the USA. Read on more as to why international students should choose to study at private universities in the USA:
- The class size is smaller in private universities, thus more attention towards students.
- Around six private universities in the USA offer need-blind scholarships to international students also. Check: Colleges Offering Financial Aid in USA
- There is a wide variety of students demographically, hence more interaction and networking.
- Research opportunities are better at private universities in the US, which further opens better avenues for jobs.
- Finally, in terms of rankings, a major part of the top 10 global rankings are consistently dominated by US private universities.
Study at Ivy League Universities
Ivy League schools are all private institutions in the USA, thus they are prestigious because of their top rankings, good reputation, high ROI, quality education and research excellence. The following table shows the return on investment after 20 years of graduation from these Ivy Leagues along with the total cost of studying in the USA:
| Private Universities in USA - Ivy League |
20-Year Net ROI |
Cost of Studying for Four Years |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton University |
USD 895,000 |
USD 275,000 |
| Harvard University |
USD 839,000 |
USD 282,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania |
USD 805,000 |
USD 293,000 |
| Columbia University |
USD 765,000 |
USD 303,000 |
| Yale University |
USD 763,000 |
USD 291,000 |
| Cornell University |
USD 722,000 |
USD 288,000 |
| USD 685,000 |
USD 293,000 |
|
| USD 683,000 |
USD 290,000 |
Note: The above data has been sourced from PayScale.
Thus, it can be noted that pass-outs from Princeton have a higher ROI after 20 years followed by Harvard. The lowest in the list of Ivy’s is Brown University in terms of return on investment.
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Acceptance Rates at Ivy Leagues
Admission to Ivy Leagues is a herculean task and this has been proven by their low acceptance rates. The admission process is lengthy and getting through the final step is even more difficult. Following is the acceptance rate at Ivy Leagues recorded for the class of 2027 in ascending order:
- Harvard University: 3.4%
- Columbia University: 3.9%
- Princeton University: 4%
- University of Pennsylvania: 4.1%
- Yale University: 4.3%
- Brown University: 5.1%
- Dartmouth College: 6%
- Cornell University: 8%
It can be noted that Harvard has the lowest acceptance rate for the admission year 2023 and Cornell University records the highest acceptance rate of 8%. This clearly indicates that there is tough competition and admissions are not a cakewalk at these Ivy League schools.
Cost of Studying at Private Universities in USA
If wanting to study in the USA, international students have to choose their universities carefully pertaining to tuition fees. Students applying to private universities in the USA will have a higher cost of studying. Check out the average cost of studying at private universities below:
| Year-wise Analysis |
Cost of Studying at Private Universities in USA |
% Change Yearly in Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 |
USD 35,830 |
3.4% |
| 2019-20 |
USD 37,600 |
1.7% |
| 2020-21 |
USD 39,700 |
2.1% |
| 2021-22 |
USD 43,721 |
4% |
| 2022-23 |
USD 50,000 |
6.2% |
The above table shows that the drop in percentage change was reported in 2019 and there was a sudden increase of 0.4% in the year 2020. The tuition rates have only increased since 2021 and the highest increase can be noted for the year 2022-23.
List of Other Top Private Universities in USA
Apart from the already listed private universities above, there is a list of other private universities in the USA which can be considered by international students for admission. Check out the following private universities in the USA:
There are 300 private universities in the USA that international students can choose from apart from the already mentioned one in this article.
If you have admission and application-related queries, get in touch with our team of counsellors by signing up here - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Q: Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?
The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.
Q: How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: Can I get into Oregon State with a 3.5 GPA?
International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:
| Program | Minimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
| Graduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
Read about the Grading System in the USA
Q: What is Northwest Missouri acceptance rate?
The Northwest Missouri acceptance rate for international students is around 80%. This shows that the university follows a moderate selection criteria when it comes to admission. However, the moderate selection criteria does not imply that the university accepts every application. International students must showcase their excellent academic performance, score high GPA, submit standardized test scores and English language proficiency test scores. In addition, if a student has a history of participation in relevant extracurricular or experience, their selection probability increases by 50%.
Q: What GPA do I need to get into Northwest Missouri state?
Northwest Missouri State University expects a cumulative GPA of 2 for UG programs and 3 for PG programs on a scale of 4. GPA is one of the top factors when considering students for university admissions. Along with GPA, the university expects a student to provide high school transcripts from previously attended university or school, standardized test scores, English language proficiency test scores, and more. In addition, students with relevant experience in the chosen field are preferred over the studious students.
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