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

Miami University
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M
Oxford, OH

Miami University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 19,107enrollment
  • $23,031net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1390SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.85Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 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

  • 3,757enrollment
  • $21,863net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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University of North Carolina School of the Arts
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N
Winston-Salem, NC

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 1,104enrollment
  • $11,251net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1115-1350SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

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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

  • 7,063enrollment
  • $18,235net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.78Avg GPA

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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

  • 49,403enrollment
  • $17,075net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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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

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,570enrollment
  • $13,555net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1430SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Citadel Military College of South Carolina
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C
Charleston, SC

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,721enrollment
  • $21,846net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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CUNY Hunter College
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H
New York, NY

CUNY Hunter College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 22,970enrollment
  • $4,848net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg 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

  • 13,991enrollment
  • $17,692net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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CUNY City College
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C
New York, NY

CUNY City College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 14,489enrollment
  • $5,181net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Nebraska Lincoln
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N
Lincoln, NE

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 23,805enrollment
  • $16,805net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Auburn University
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A
Auburn University, AL

Auburn University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 31,764enrollment
  • $25,271net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1380SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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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

  • 1,068enrollment
  • $11,169net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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SUNY at Purchase College
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P
Purchase, NY

SUNY at Purchase College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,182enrollment
  • $19,434net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1350SAT range
  • 29-31ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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CUNY Brooklyn College
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B
Brooklyn, NY

CUNY Brooklyn College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 14,195enrollment
  • $5,972net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1180SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Oregon
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O
Eugene, OR

University of Oregon

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 23,163enrollment
  • $22,077net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Mississippi
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M
University, MS

University of Mississippi

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Value in Mississippi

  • 22,300enrollment
  • $14,289net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Wyoming
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W
Laramie, WY

University of Wyoming

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Wyoming

  • 11,100enrollment
  • $12,819net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 10

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