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

Wright State University Main Campus
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W
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 9,884enrollment
  • $15,400net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 913-1230SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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University of Central Oklahoma
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C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 12,148enrollment
  • $18,893net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Florida Gulf Coast University
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F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,167enrollment
  • $10,548net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 1

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University of Southern Indiana
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S
Evansville, IN

University of Southern Indiana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 9,282enrollment
  • $14,066net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Central Michigan University
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C
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,399enrollment
  • $15,826net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,156enrollment
  • $13,837net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 30

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Minnesota State University Mankato
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M
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 14,709enrollment
  • $17,227net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
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O
Cobleskill, NY

SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#31 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 1,792enrollment
  • $18,122net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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West Virginia University Institute of Technology
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W
Montgomery, WV

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in West Virginia

  • 1,448enrollment
  • $11,015net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
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K
Kutztown, PA

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 7,416enrollment
  • $21,856net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee Martin
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T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,941enrollment
  • $11,151net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
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T
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,855enrollment
  • $14,991net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Dakota State University
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D
Madison, SD

Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,508enrollment
  • $19,115net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1340SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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New Jersey City University
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N
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 5,833enrollment
  • $12,157net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,380enrollment
  • $13,801net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1005-1185SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
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F
HBCU
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 9,265enrollment
  • $15,491net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1150SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Eastern Michigan University
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E
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 13,324enrollment
  • $17,388net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 910-1170SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
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E
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 5,460enrollment
  • $15,318net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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