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 Colorado Colorado Springs
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C
Colorado Springs, CO

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 11,213enrollment
  • $16,816net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Dickinson State University
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D
Dickinson, ND

Dickinson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 1,453enrollment
  • $15,490net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 875-1130SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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Montana State University
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M
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Montana

  • 16,960enrollment
  • $18,511net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,523enrollment
  • $15,187net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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Minot State University
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M
Minot, ND

Minot State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 2,741enrollment
  • $12,349net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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Western Illinois University
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W
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 7,073enrollment
  • $12,168net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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University of Louisiana Monroe
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L
Monroe, LA

University of Louisiana Monroe

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 8,272enrollment
  • $11,160net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1350SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Middle Tennessee State University
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M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,183enrollment
  • $12,700net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Central Washington University
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C
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 8,796enrollment
  • $15,558net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.08Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of New Mexico Main Campus
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N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 22,700enrollment
  • $7,528net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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University of New Orleans
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N
New Orleans, LA

University of New Orleans

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,601enrollment
  • $11,190net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1320SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Florida Atlantic University
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F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 30,790enrollment
  • $9,839net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of Southern Maine
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S
Portland, ME

University of Southern Maine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 7,528enrollment
  • $12,006net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 995-1280SAT range
  • 23-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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The Evergreen State College
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E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 2,320enrollment
  • $18,480net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 890-1260SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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B
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 17,027enrollment
  • $20,987net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of Northern Colorado
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N
Greeley, CO

University of Northern Colorado

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 9,067enrollment
  • $19,115net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 17-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Portland State University
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P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 20,519enrollment
  • $12,509net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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University of North Texas
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N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 47,507enrollment
  • $14,675net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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