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 North Carolina at Pembroke
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N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,630enrollment
  • $9,687net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Valdosta State University
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V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,151enrollment
  • $11,532net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Western Kentucky University
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W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 16,759enrollment
  • $12,054net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Georgia Southwestern State University
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G
Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 3,408enrollment
  • $11,779net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 21

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Youngstown State University
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Y
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 11,040enrollment
  • $11,740net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 940-1210SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
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E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in New Mexico

  • 5,386enrollment
  • $6,683net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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Jackson State University
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J
HBCU
Jackson, MS

Jackson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 6,564enrollment
  • $19,892net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
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HBCU
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,848enrollment
  • $12,910net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 870-1050SAT range
  • 18-22ACT range
  • 3.06Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Louisiana State University Alexandria
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L
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,330enrollment
  • $8,081net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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North Carolina Central University
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N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,965enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1100SAT range
  • 17-18ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Lander University
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L
Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,363enrollment
  • $14,657net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Mississippi Valley State University
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M
HBCU
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,196enrollment
  • $12,304net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 13-22ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

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Bluefield State College
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B
HBCU
Bluefield, WV
 

Bluefield State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,270enrollment
  • $14,500net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Henderson State University
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H
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,136enrollment
  • $16,929net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 903-1073SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Concord University
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C
Athens, WV

Concord University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 1,798enrollment
  • $10,630net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 840-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Alcorn State University
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A
HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,894enrollment
  • $13,155net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 850-998SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Prairie View A & M University
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P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,517enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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The University of Montana Western
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M
Dillon, MT
 

The University of Montana Western

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,458enrollment
  • $15,726net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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