Top Rated U.S. Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in America is University of Michigan. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Public 4 year

444 results nationwide

University of Michigan
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M
Ann Arbor, MI

University of Michigan

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in America

  • 51,225enrollment
  • $19,318net price
  • 18%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of California Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

University of California Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in America

  • 46,430enrollment
  • $16,999net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1530SAT range
  • 29-35ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Virginia Main Campus
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V
Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in America

  • 26,082enrollment
  • $19,469net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

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College of William and Mary
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W
Williamsburg, VA

College of William and Mary

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in America

  • 9,654enrollment
  • $25,688net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1375-1520SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

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University of California Berkeley
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C
Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in America

  • 45,307enrollment
  • $19,257net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1530SAT range
  • 30-35ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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N
Chapel Hill, NC

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 31,705enrollment
  • $10,614net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1530SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.83Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Florida
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F
Gainesville, FL

University of Florida

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in America

  • 55,211enrollment
  • $11,740net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1490SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Washington Seattle Campus
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W
Seattle, WA

University of Washington Seattle Campus

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in America

  • 52,319enrollment
  • $10,603net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1453SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 16

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University of California San Diego
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C
La Jolla, CA

University of California San Diego

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in America

  • 42,006enrollment
  • $16,111net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1480SAT range
  • 28-34ACT range
  • 3.82Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of California Irvine
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C
Irvine, CA

University of California Irvine

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in America

  • 35,937enrollment
  • $14,033net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1430SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of California Davis
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C
Davis, CA

University of California Davis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in America

  • 39,679enrollment
  • $17,385net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1400SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Connecticut
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C
Storrs, CT

University of Connecticut

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in America

  • 27,003enrollment
  • $23,985net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1440SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Maryland College Park
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M
College Park, MD

University of Maryland College Park

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in America

  • 40,792enrollment
  • $16,210net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1520SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.84Estimated Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Austin
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T
Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in America

  • 52,384enrollment
  • $17,434net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1500SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Purdue University Main Campus
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P
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in America

  • 51,528enrollment
  • $12,576net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1470SAT range
  • 27-34ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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University at Buffalo
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U
Buffalo, NY

University at Buffalo

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in America

  • 32,099enrollment
  • $18,524net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1380SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Madison
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W
Madison, WI

University of Wisconsin Madison

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in America

  • 48,956enrollment
  • $13,376net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1510SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
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I
Champaign, IL

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in America

  • 56,916enrollment
  • $14,544net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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