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

Texas State University
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T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,722enrollment
  • $15,307net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,743enrollment
  • $10,592net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Georgia College & State University
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G
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,811enrollment
  • $19,769net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Kean University
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K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 13,352enrollment
  • $11,593net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1198SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Frostburg State University
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F
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 4,075enrollment
  • $16,521net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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East Tennessee State University
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E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 13,586enrollment
  • $16,033net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

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Murray State University
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M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 9,841enrollment
  • $9,738net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Rhode Island College
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R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 5,767enrollment
  • $11,549net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 860-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.08Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

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Lake Superior State University
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L
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 1,669enrollment
  • $14,345net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1225SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
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S
Shippensburg, PA

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 5,184enrollment
  • $23,344net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

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University of Central Missouri
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C
Warrensburg, MO

University of Central Missouri

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 12,788enrollment
  • $15,728net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Eastern Illinois University
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E
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 8,804enrollment
  • $14,621net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of Louisiana at Lafayette
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L
Lafayette, LA

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 15,345enrollment
  • $13,443net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1255SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Georgia State University
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G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 34,974enrollment
  • $16,390net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1280SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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The University of Montana
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M
Missoula, MT

The University of Montana

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 10,327enrollment
  • $17,775net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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The University of Texas at Arlington
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T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 43,992enrollment
  • $14,956net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 990-1230SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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SUNY College at Old Westbury
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O
Old Westbury, NY
 

SUNY College at Old Westbury

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 4,449enrollment
  • $10,495net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1206SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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New Mexico State University Main Campus
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N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 14,779enrollment
  • $8,353net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 885-1110SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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