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

Northern Illinois University
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N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,504enrollment
  • $13,533net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Alabama at Huntsville
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A
Huntsville, AL

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 8,743enrollment
  • $19,847net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1440SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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S
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 11,359enrollment
  • $16,131net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Oregon Institute of Technology
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O
Klamath Falls, OR
 

Oregon Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 5,103enrollment
  • $17,274net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1045-1300SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 4

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Ohio University Main Campus
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O
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 24,937enrollment
  • $20,550net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Utah State University
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U
Logan, UT

Utah State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Utah

  • 28,063enrollment
  • $15,825net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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Illinois State University
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I
Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,989enrollment
  • $20,871net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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University of Maine
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M
Orono, ME

University of Maine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 11,760enrollment
  • $18,237net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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California State University Long Beach
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C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,278enrollment
  • $9,731net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Western Connecticut State University
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W
Danbury, CT

Western Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 4,137enrollment
  • $16,527net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 840-1150SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
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O
Alfred, NY

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,749enrollment
  • $14,877net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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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

  • 9,013enrollment
  • $15,931net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 860-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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CUNY Lehman College
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L
Bronx, NY

CUNY Lehman College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 12,894enrollment
  • $4,076net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 860-1220SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA

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Ball State University
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B
Muncie, IN

Ball State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 20,440enrollment
  • $13,017net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1250SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Montana Tech of the University of Montana
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M
Butte, MT
 

Montana Tech of the University of Montana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,622enrollment
  • $15,866net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Farmingdale State College
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F
Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 9,541enrollment
  • $8,224net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Winona State University
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W
Winona, MN

Winona State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 6,058enrollment
  • $18,919net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 980-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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W
West Chester, PA

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 17,076enrollment
  • $21,684net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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