What are some notable private universities in America?

I'm working on building my college list and I want to include a mix of public and private institutions. Can someone help me come up with a list of some of the top private universities in America to consider?

Sure! There are many highly-ranked private colleges and universities in the United States. Here's a list of some prestigious private institutions you might consider researching further as you build your college list. This list includes schools from different geographic regions and with various academic focuses:

1. Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)

2. Stanford University (Stanford, CA)

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (Cambridge, MA)

4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (Pasadena, CA)

5. University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)

6. Yale University (New Haven, CT)

7. Columbia University (New York, NY)

8. University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)

9. Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)

10. Duke University (Durham, NC)

11. Brown University (Providence, RI)

12. University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN)

13. Rice University (Houston, TX)

14. Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH)

15. Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)

16. Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)

17. Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)

18. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

19. Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

20. Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)

21. Williams College (Williamstown, MA)

22. Amherst College (Amherst, MA)

23. Swarthmore College (Swarthmore, PA)

24. Haverford College (Haverford, PA)

25. Bowdoin College (Brunswick, ME)

While all private, these universities represent a wide range of academic programs and campus environments, so it's essential to research each school and consider factors like location, size, available majors, campus culture, and financial aid offerings.

Although rankings can be a useful starting point, it's important to focus on finding schools that are the best fit for your individual needs and goals. A slightly lower ranked school overall may be especially strong in the areas that matter most to you, and ultimately all of these institutions would give you a fantastic education.

Good luck with your college search!