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

Virginia State University
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V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,190enrollment
  • $16,184net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Georgia Southern University
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G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 26,041enrollment
  • $16,957net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Indiana University South Bend
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I
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 4,446enrollment
  • $8,090net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Southeastern Oklahoma State University
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S
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 5,794enrollment
  • $8,064net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Lamar University
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L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $10,999net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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California State University Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,080enrollment
  • $4,551net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 19

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Bowie State University
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B
HBCU
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 6,408enrollment
  • $16,117net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 796-1083SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15

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University of South Carolina Beaufort
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S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,121enrollment
  • $15,781net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Fairmont State University
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F
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,307enrollment
  • $10,993net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 830-1040SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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North Carolina A & T State University
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N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,885enrollment
  • $10,258net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Winston Salem State University
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W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 4,776enrollment
  • $12,948net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Southeast Missouri State University
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S
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 9,686enrollment
  • $14,843net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Lewis Clark State College
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L
Lewiston, ID
 

Lewis Clark State College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Idaho

  • 3,706enrollment
  • $12,508net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 850-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 8

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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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A
HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,100enrollment
  • $11,649net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 880-1048SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Southeastern Louisiana University
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S
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 13,861enrollment
  • $12,007net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Wisconsin Parkside
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W
Kenosha, WI

University of Wisconsin Parkside

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 4,008enrollment
  • $8,778net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Metropolitan State College of Denver
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M
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 17,593enrollment
  • $13,727net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 880-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.03Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Elizabeth City State University
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E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $7,363net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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