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 Michigan Flint
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M
Flint, MI

University of Michigan Flint

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 6,130enrollment
  • $12,344net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 950-1210SAT range
  • 17-29ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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Montclair State University
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M
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 22,570enrollment
  • $13,880net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1225SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Ferris State University
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F
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 9,918enrollment
  • $13,154net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Penn State Altoona
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P
Altoona, PA
 

Penn State Altoona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 2,421enrollment
  • $22,506net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.4Estimated Avg GPA

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Valley City State University
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V
Valley City, ND
 

Valley City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 1,754enrollment
  • $13,841net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Saint Cloud State University
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S
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 10,514enrollment
  • $14,648net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1280SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Fitchburg State University
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F
Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 6,296enrollment
  • $15,820net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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Sonoma State University
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S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 5,990enrollment
  • $15,113net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Florida International University
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F
Miami, FL

Florida International University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 53,953enrollment
  • $10,742net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Western Michigan University
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W
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 16,693enrollment
  • $20,183net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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University of Nebraska at Omaha
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N
Omaha, NE

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 15,015enrollment
  • $13,284net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Longwood University
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L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,545enrollment
  • $22,900net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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University of Connecticut Stamford
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C
Stamford, CT

University of Connecticut Stamford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 2,240enrollment
  • $13,150net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1230SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Bridgewater State University
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B
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 9,550enrollment
  • $16,230net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Penn State Berks
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P
Reading, PA

Penn State Berks

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,944enrollment
  • $22,450net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 26-29ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Pittsburgh Greensburg
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P
Greensburg, PA

University of Pittsburgh Greensburg

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,326enrollment
  • $17,196net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1275SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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University of Nevada Las Vegas
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N
Las Vegas, NV

University of Nevada Las Vegas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Nevada

  • 31,094enrollment
  • $11,388net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of Montevallo
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M
Montevallo, AL

University of Montevallo

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 2,942enrollment
  • $17,280net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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