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 Wisconsin Platteville
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W
Platteville, WI

University of Wisconsin Platteville

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 6,696enrollment
  • $15,966net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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Winthrop University
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Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,694enrollment
  • $16,838net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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The University of West Florida
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Pensacola, FL

The University of West Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 14,371enrollment
  • $8,908net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Northeastern Illinois University
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N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,504enrollment
  • $14,669net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Millersville University of Pennsylvania
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Millersville, PA

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 6,732enrollment
  • $20,860net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

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Wichita State University
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Wichita, KS

Wichita State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Kansas

  • 16,741enrollment
  • $14,184net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1250SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Western Carolina University
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Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,628enrollment
  • $12,252net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Wisconsin Stout
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Menomonie, WI

University of Wisconsin Stout

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 6,951enrollment
  • $15,574net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Penn State Abington
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Abington, PA

Penn State Abington

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 3,095enrollment
  • $17,561net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.42Estimated Avg GPA

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Keene State College
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K
Keene, NH

Keene State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in New Hampshire

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $20,405net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 24-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Sam Houston State University
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Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,403enrollment
  • $14,556net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of South Alabama
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Mobile, AL

University of South Alabama

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,768enrollment
  • $13,613net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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CUNY New York City College of Technology
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Brooklyn, NY

CUNY New York City College of Technology

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#29 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 13,767enrollment
  • $5,417net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 880-1200SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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University of Wisconsin River Falls
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River Falls, WI

University of Wisconsin River Falls

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 5,064enrollment
  • $15,242net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

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Western State Colorado University
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Gunnison, CO

Western State Colorado University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 4,053enrollment
  • $17,709net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
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Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 8,350enrollment
  • $18,407net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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San Francisco State University
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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,908enrollment
  • $13,353net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Bemidji State University
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B
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 3,926enrollment
  • $16,349net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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