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

SUNY Morrisville
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S
Morrisville, NY
 

SUNY Morrisville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,040enrollment
  • $16,855net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 2.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Stephen F Austin State University
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S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,888enrollment
  • $15,498net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA

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Fort Lewis College
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F
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $16,074net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Marshall University
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M
Huntington, WV

Marshall University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 11,027enrollment
  • $9,734net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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Texas A&M International University
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T
Laredo, TX

Texas A&M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,536enrollment
  • $3,833net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Kent State University at Kent
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K
Kent, OH

Kent State University at Kent

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 26,106enrollment
  • $20,333net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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California State University San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,431enrollment
  • $10,500net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Wisconsin Whitewater
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W
Whitewater, WI

University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 11,519enrollment
  • $13,670net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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California State University Monterey Bay
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C
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,742enrollment
  • $15,222net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Eastern Washington University
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E
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 10,741enrollment
  • $13,786net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 10

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Midwestern State University
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M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,573enrollment
  • $11,798net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA

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California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,172enrollment
  • $11,183net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Central Arkansas
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C
Conway, AR

University of Central Arkansas

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,790enrollment
  • $16,362net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1120SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
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W
Milwaukee, WI

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 22,481enrollment
  • $16,499net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Fort Hays State University
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F
Hays, KS
 

Fort Hays State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kansas

  • 12,843enrollment
  • $13,774net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Chicago State University
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C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,324enrollment
  • $9,852net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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Indiana University Northwest
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I
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 3,045enrollment
  • $5,553net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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West Liberty University
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W
West Liberty, WV

West Liberty University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 2,348enrollment
  • $14,203net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 890-1125SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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