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 Alaska Fairbanks
Connect Me
A
Fairbanks, AK

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Alaska

  • 6,640enrollment
  • $9,985net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Adams State College
Connect Me
A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,950enrollment
  • $13,800net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Colorado State University Pueblo
Connect Me
C
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 6,691enrollment
  • $14,188net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1100SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Albany State University
Connect Me
A
HBCU
Albany, GA

Albany State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,544enrollment
  • $13,775net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 740-900SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Savannah State University
Connect Me
S
HBCU
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 3,078enrollment
  • $8,506net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 845-980SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Delta State University
Connect Me
D
Cleveland, MS

Delta State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,716enrollment
  • $13,457net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mississippi University for Women
Connect Me
M
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University for Women

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,227enrollment
  • $12,617net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 850-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mayville State University
Connect Me
M
Mayville, ND

Mayville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 1,025enrollment
  • $14,050net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 880-1250SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wright State University Lake Campus
Connect Me
W
Celina, OH
 

Wright State University Lake Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 1,398enrollment
  • $12,039net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 790-890SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 26

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Connect Me
S
Weatherford, OK

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 4,811enrollment
  • $14,761net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
PennWest California
Connect Me
P
California, PA

PennWest California

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 6,509enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

Compare Calculate my chances 
PennWest Edinboro
Connect Me
P
Edinboro, PA
 

PennWest Edinboro

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 4,043enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lock Haven University
Connect Me
L
Lock Haven, PA

Lock Haven University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 2,920enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Connect Me
M
Mansfield, PA

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,796enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas at El Paso
Connect Me
T
El Paso, TX

The University of Texas at El Paso

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 24,351enrollment
  • $10,333net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1090SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Castleton State College
Connect Me
C
Castleton, VT
 

Castleton State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Vermont

  • 2,363enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.17Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 

Explore the best public colleges by state: