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

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

  • 37,402enrollment
  • $13,017net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Massachusetts Maritime Academy
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M
Buzzards Bay, MA

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 1,425enrollment
  • $21,668net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1185SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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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

  • 29,969enrollment
  • $15,310net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1350SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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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

  • 13,953enrollment
  • $24,507net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT 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

  • 7,123enrollment
  • $19,756net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1320SAT range
  • 22-27ACT 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

  • 33,403enrollment
  • $16,926net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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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

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $20,695net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1270SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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S
Rapid City, SD

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 2,492enrollment
  • $21,124net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1378SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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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

  • 34,292enrollment
  • $21,163net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Louisiana State University
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L
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Value in Louisiana

  • 37,348enrollment
  • $21,296net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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SUNY Maritime College
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S
Throggs Neck, NY

SUNY Maritime College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 1,427enrollment
  • $19,712net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1300SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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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

  • 17,843enrollment
  • $18,709net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1370SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 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

  • 14,747enrollment
  • $21,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.46Avg 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

  • 68,346enrollment
  • $13,108net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1360SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of Louisville
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L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 22,017enrollment
  • $19,327net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Illinois at Springfield
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I
Springfield, IL

University of Illinois at Springfield

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 4,198enrollment
  • $11,733net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 988-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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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

  • 13,876enrollment
  • $17,359net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

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Oklahoma State University Main Campus
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O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 25,372enrollment
  • $16,718net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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