Top Rated U.S. Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in America for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 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

448 results nationwide

West Virginia University
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W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,200enrollment
  • $13,691net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Tyler
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T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,678enrollment
  • $14,043net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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Penn State Erie Behrend College
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P
Erie, PA

Penn State Erie Behrend College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 3,323enrollment
  • $20,964net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.49Estimated Avg GPA

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University of California Merced
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C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,147enrollment
  • $13,232net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Minnesota Duluth
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Duluth, MN

University of Minnesota Duluth

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 9,350enrollment
  • $19,542net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1128-1335SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 30,298enrollment
  • $13,768net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of Idaho
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I
Moscow, ID

University of Idaho

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Idaho

  • 11,849enrollment
  • $14,377net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 950-1200SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
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S
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 12,045enrollment
  • $15,182net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
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J
New York, NY

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 13,510enrollment
  • $4,141net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
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North Dartmouth, MA

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 7,759enrollment
  • $20,696net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Old Dominion University
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O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,541enrollment
  • $16,150net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Grand Valley State University
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G
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 22,269enrollment
  • $17,995net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of Toledo
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Toledo, OH

University of Toledo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 14,939enrollment
  • $17,927net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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Stockton University
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S
Galloway, NJ
 

Stockton University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 8,788enrollment
  • $19,752net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
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Eau Claire, WI

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 9,991enrollment
  • $15,323net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Worcester State University
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W
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 5,611enrollment
  • $14,307net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1008-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of Wisconsin La Crosse
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La Crosse, WI

University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 10,299enrollment
  • $13,125net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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San Jose State University
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S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 36,062enrollment
  • $13,833net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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