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 West Georgia
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W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 12,728enrollment
  • $14,962net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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California State University Fresno
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C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,986enrollment
  • $7,303net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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McNeese State University
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M
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,060enrollment
  • $11,393net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 810-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Aiken
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S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,855enrollment
  • $11,697net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Shepherd University
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S
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,318enrollment
  • $12,651net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 5,127enrollment
  • $14,164net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 920-1180SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 27

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Boise State University
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B
Boise, ID

Boise State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Idaho

  • 26,670enrollment
  • $19,037net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.37Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Saginaw Valley State University
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S
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 6,889enrollment
  • $15,144net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Superior
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W
Superior, WI

University of Wisconsin Superior

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 2,726enrollment
  • $13,126net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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California State University Northridge
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C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,760enrollment
  • $8,222net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Francis Marion University
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F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,017enrollment
  • $11,231net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 900-1138SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

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Nicholls State University
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N
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 6,180enrollment
  • $11,029net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 928-1145SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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Southern Oregon University
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S
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 5,371enrollment
  • $17,433net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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California State University San Bernardino
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C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 18,925enrollment
  • $6,645net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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The University of Texas at San Antonio
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T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,864enrollment
  • $10,831net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Tarleton State University
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T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,937enrollment
  • $15,363net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Jacksonville State University
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J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,672enrollment
  • $14,511net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1260SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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Northwest Missouri State University
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N
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 9,664enrollment
  • $15,497net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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