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

Angelo State University
Connect Me
A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,250enrollment
  • $12,518net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas A&M University Commerce
Connect Me
T
Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 12,013enrollment
  • $11,902net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southwest Minnesota State University
Connect Me
S
Marshall, MN
 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 7,324enrollment
  • $14,839net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 935-1102SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Connect Me
M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,844enrollment
  • $14,595net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northern Kentucky University
Connect Me
N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 14,961enrollment
  • $8,151net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 916-1133SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
East Central University
Connect Me
E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 3,200enrollment
  • $9,355net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 935-1055SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Connect Me
O
Canton, NY

SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,919enrollment
  • $14,451net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Troy University
Connect Me
T
Troy, AL

Troy University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,923enrollment
  • $12,504net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Auburn University at Montgomery
Connect Me
A
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University at Montgomery

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 5,189enrollment
  • $15,458net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Missouri Southern State University
Connect Me
M
Joplin, MO
 

Missouri Southern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 4,090enrollment
  • $11,264net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Austin Peay State University
Connect Me
A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,945enrollment
  • $14,679net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 943-1165SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Houston Downtown
Connect Me
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,105enrollment
  • $14,269net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Connect Me
I
Indiana, PA

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 9,246enrollment
  • $17,665net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Delaware State University
Connect Me
D
HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Delaware

  • 5,828enrollment
  • $15,555net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 860-1070SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Memphis
Connect Me
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,736enrollment
  • $13,656net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 905-1205SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Arkansas Tech University
Connect Me
A
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,487enrollment
  • $11,443net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Louisiana State University Shreveport
Connect Me
L
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 9,736enrollment
  • $7,554net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northeastern State University
Connect Me
N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 6,466enrollment
  • $11,153net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 920-1145SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best public colleges by state: