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

Washington State University
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W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 27,539enrollment
  • $17,911net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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University of Colorado Denver
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C
Denver, CO

University of Colorado Denver

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 23,744enrollment
  • $16,079net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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SUNY College at Plattsburgh
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P
Plattsburgh, NY

SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 4,474enrollment
  • $17,625net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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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

  • 80,065enrollment
  • $14,808net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Christopher Newport University
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C
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,559enrollment
  • $23,287net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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SUNY College at Cortland
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C
Cortland, NY

SUNY College at Cortland

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,690enrollment
  • $18,304net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1240SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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The University of Alabama
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A
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University of Alabama

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Alabama

  • 38,644enrollment
  • $20,592net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1410SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of Massachusetts Lowell
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M
Lowell, MA

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 17,153enrollment
  • $17,240net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1348SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Kentucky
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K
Lexington, KY

University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 31,547enrollment
  • $18,693net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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CUNY Queens College
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Q
Flushing, NY

CUNY Queens College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 17,001enrollment
  • $6,434net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1190SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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University of Cincinnati Main Campus
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C
Cincinnati, OH

University of Cincinnati Main Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 41,155enrollment
  • $20,149net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Northern Iowa
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N
Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 8,945enrollment
  • $15,782net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1330SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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University of Missouri St Louis
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M
Saint Louis, MO

University of Missouri St Louis

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 15,181enrollment
  • $13,211net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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University of South Florida Main Campus
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S
Tampa, FL

University of South Florida Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 49,600enrollment
  • $11,004net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of Alabama at Birmingham
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A
Birmingham, AL

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value Colleges in Alabama

  • 21,639enrollment
  • $16,834net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1410SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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College of Charleston
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C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,885enrollment
  • $21,120net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Eastern Connecticut State University
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E
Willimantic, CT

Eastern Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 4,082enrollment
  • $18,628net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 16-28ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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SUNY College at Brockport
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B
Brockport, NY

SUNY College at Brockport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,424enrollment
  • $16,261net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 2.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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