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

San Diego State University
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S
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in California

  • 39,241enrollment
  • $19,500net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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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

  • 23,786enrollment
  • $23,917net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of New Hampshire Main Campus
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N
Durham, NH

University of New Hampshire Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in New Hampshire

  • 13,626enrollment
  • $24,762net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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CUNY Queens College
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Q
Flushing, NY

CUNY Queens College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 16,481enrollment
  • $5,339net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Iowa State University
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I
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 30,177enrollment
  • $17,354net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1350SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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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

  • 24,043enrollment
  • $14,946net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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University of Rhode Island
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R
Kingston, RI

University of Rhode Island

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 17,351enrollment
  • $20,964net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Salisbury University
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S
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,030enrollment
  • $17,931net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1310SAT range
  • 26-28ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Colorado State University Fort Collins
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C
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 33,500enrollment
  • $19,828net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Western Washington University
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W
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 14,651enrollment
  • $22,096net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1350SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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Towson University
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T
Towson, MD

Towson University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 19,527enrollment
  • $15,064net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1270SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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University of North Dakota
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N
Grand Forks, ND

University of North Dakota

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 14,172enrollment
  • $18,227net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

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Oregon State University
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O
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 35,622enrollment
  • $21,868net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Central Connecticut State University
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C
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 9,712enrollment
  • $17,207net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 26

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Arizona State University
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A
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Arizona

  • 79,593enrollment
  • $16,401net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Washington State University
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W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 26,490enrollment
  • $18,155net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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University of Central Florida
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C
Orlando, FL

University of Central Florida

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 69,233enrollment
  • $13,110net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1350SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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N
Wilmington, NC

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,987enrollment
  • $18,606net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1360SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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