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

Oakland University
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O
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 15,922enrollment
  • $15,734net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 995-1185SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

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The University of Virginia's College at Wise
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V
Wise, VA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,911enrollment
  • $10,409net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 935-1175SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Penn State Brandywine
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P
Media, PA

Penn State Brandywine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,223enrollment
  • $21,739net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 18-29ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Coastal Carolina University
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C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,829enrollment
  • $14,453net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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University of Maine at Farmington
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M
Farmington, ME
 

University of Maine at Farmington

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 1,950enrollment
  • $15,383net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 915-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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University of Hawaii at Hilo
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H
Hilo, HI

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Hawaii

  • 2,781enrollment
  • $12,936net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 898-1110SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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University of South Carolina Upstate
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S
Spartanburg, SC
 

University of South Carolina Upstate

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,946enrollment
  • $13,794net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

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The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
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T
Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,899enrollment
  • $10,143net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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Cleveland State University
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C
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 14,117enrollment
  • $16,307net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 880-1130SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Arkansas at Little Rock
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A
Little Rock, AR

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 8,158enrollment
  • $11,225net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 890-1170SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

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Salem State University
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S
Salem, MA

Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 6,239enrollment
  • $19,324net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 990-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
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W
Oshkosh, WI

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 13,761enrollment
  • $12,942net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 41,962enrollment
  • $6,283net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Indiana University Southeast
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I
New Albany, IN
 

Indiana University Southeast

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 3,752enrollment
  • $8,829net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1190SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Missouri State University Springfield
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M
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 23,418enrollment
  • $17,104net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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CUNY Medgar Evers College
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M
Brooklyn, NY

CUNY Medgar Evers College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,846enrollment
  • $6,207net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 780-1000SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Coppin State University
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C
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,101enrollment
  • $7,684net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 860-1040SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Texas A&M University Kingsville
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T
Kingsville, TX

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 6,562enrollment
  • $10,474net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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