Top Rated U.S. Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 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

444 results nationwide

Missouri University of Science and Technology
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M
Rolla, MO

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 7,080enrollment
  • $14,023net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1173-1370SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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SUNY at Geneseo
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G
Geneseo, NY

SUNY at Geneseo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 4,184enrollment
  • $19,557net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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George Mason University
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G
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 39,049enrollment
  • $18,479net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
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N
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in New Mexico

  • 1,689enrollment
  • $10,429net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The University of Tennessee
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T
Knoxville, TN

The University of Tennessee

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 33,805enrollment
  • $21,880net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.66Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Illinois at Chicago
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I
Chicago, IL

University of Illinois at Chicago

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 33,747enrollment
  • $10,384net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Utah
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U
Salt Lake City, UT

University of Utah

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Utah

  • 34,734enrollment
  • $12,399net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1390SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Michigan State University
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S
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Michigan

  • 50,023enrollment
  • $22,803net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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SUNY at Albany
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A
Albany, NY

SUNY at Albany

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 16,658enrollment
  • $17,714net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Kansas
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K
Lawrence, KS

University of Kansas

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#1 Best Value in Kansas

  • 26,708enrollment
  • $18,950net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1340SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Truman State University
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T
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Missouri

  • 3,960enrollment
  • $13,993net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

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SUNY Polytechnic Institute
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S
Utica, NY

SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,842enrollment
  • $13,799net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1400SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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James Madison University
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J
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,224enrollment
  • $18,274net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Missouri Kansas City
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M
Kansas City, MO

University of Missouri Kansas City

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 15,703enrollment
  • $14,739net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1245-1550SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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University of Hawaii at Manoa
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H
Honolulu, HI

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Value in Hawaii

  • 19,074enrollment
  • $13,639net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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University of California Riverside
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C
Riverside, CA

University of California Riverside

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,809enrollment
  • $14,487net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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State University of New York at New Paltz
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S
New Paltz, NY

State University of New York at New Paltz

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,964enrollment
  • $19,592net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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University of Missouri Columbia
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M
Columbia, MO

University of Missouri Columbia

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 31,304enrollment
  • $19,889net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.61Estimated Avg GPA

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