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

University of Nebraska at Kearney
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N
Kearney, NE

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 6,017enrollment
  • $16,249net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of South Dakota
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S
Vermillion, SD

University of South Dakota

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in South Dakota

  • 9,868enrollment
  • $18,466net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1330SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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South Dakota State University
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S
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 11,498enrollment
  • $18,233net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Wayne State University
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W
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 23,553enrollment
  • $16,021net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Framingham State University
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F
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,028enrollment
  • $16,640net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1255SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Tennessee Technological University
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T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 10,117enrollment
  • $15,138net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 26,785enrollment
  • $14,470net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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California State Polytechnic University Pomona
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C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,848enrollment
  • $11,898net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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North Dakota State University Main Campus
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N
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in North Dakota

  • 11,952enrollment
  • $16,461net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 968-1216SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Westfield State University
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W
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,555enrollment
  • $17,723net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Penn State Harrisburg
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P
Middletown, PA

Penn State Harrisburg

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 4,651enrollment
  • $22,406net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.48Estimated Avg GPA

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William Paterson University of New Jersey
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W
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 9,426enrollment
  • $16,999net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1345SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Appalachian State University
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A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 21,253enrollment
  • $14,712net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of North Florida
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N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,453enrollment
  • $10,628net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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CUNY York College
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Y
Jamaica, NY

CUNY York College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,161enrollment
  • $5,631net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.15Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Louisiana Tech University
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L
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 11,427enrollment
  • $12,593net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1290SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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SUNY College at Buffalo
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B
Buffalo, NY

SUNY College at Buffalo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,470enrollment
  • $13,735net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.84Avg GPA

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Minnesota State University Moorhead
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M
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 4,410enrollment
  • $18,231net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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