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

Michigan State University
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S
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Michigan

  • 51,316enrollment
  • $24,630net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1350SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

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Rutgers University Camden
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R
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 5,776enrollment
  • $18,735net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1255SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

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Rowan University
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R
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 19,660enrollment
  • $22,237net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1310SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

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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

  • 39,527enrollment
  • $18,900net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.68Avg 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 Value in Utah

  • 35,260enrollment
  • $13,341net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1398SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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SUNY at Albany
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A
Albany, NY

SUNY at Albany

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 16,880enrollment
  • $19,165net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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The University of Texas at Dallas
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T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 30,885enrollment
  • $13,464net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1410SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Michigan Technological University
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M
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 7,313enrollment
  • $17,928net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.78Avg GPA

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University of California Santa Cruz
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C
Santa Cruz, CA

University of California Santa Cruz

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,764enrollment
  • $16,526net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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O
Syracuse, NY

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,737enrollment
  • $19,644net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 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

  • 22,758enrollment
  • $26,317net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1320SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Minnesota Morris
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M
Morris, MN

University of Minnesota Morris

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,020enrollment
  • $9,539net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Mary Washington
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M
Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 3,808enrollment
  • $21,615net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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University of Maryland Baltimore County
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M
Baltimore, MD

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 14,148enrollment
  • $17,704net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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CUNY Brooklyn College
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B
Brooklyn, NY

CUNY Brooklyn College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 13,935enrollment
  • $4,105net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1420SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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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

  • 26,426enrollment
  • $13,533net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Arizona
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A
Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 53,001enrollment
  • $18,144net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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University of Missouri Columbia
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M
Columbia, MO

University of Missouri Columbia

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 31,013enrollment
  • $20,006net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.61Estimated Avg GPA

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