Top Rated East Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the East for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the East as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the best public college in the East is University of Connecticut. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
East Public 4 year

93 results

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown
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Johnstown, PA

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,940enrollment
  • $17,909net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1255SAT range
  • 19-32ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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SUNY College at Brockport
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Brockport, NY

SUNY College at Brockport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,931enrollment
  • $15,343net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 2.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Pittsburgh Bradford
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Bradford, PA

University of Pittsburgh Bradford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,003enrollment
  • $17,015net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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Eastern Connecticut State University
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E
Willimantic, CT

Eastern Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 3,979enrollment
  • $21,205net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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SUNY College at Oswego
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Oswego, NY

SUNY College at Oswego

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,756enrollment
  • $16,923net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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SUNY College at Plattsburgh
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Plattsburgh, NY

SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 4,417enrollment
  • $15,982net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

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University of Maine
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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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Western Connecticut State University
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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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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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CUNY Lehman College
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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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Farmingdale State College
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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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West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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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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Penn State Erie Behrend College
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Erie, PA

Penn State Erie Behrend College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 3,323enrollment
  • $20,964net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.49Estimated Avg GPA

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CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
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New York, NY

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 13,510enrollment
  • $4,141net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
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North Dartmouth, MA

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 7,759enrollment
  • $20,696net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Stockton University
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Galloway, NJ
 

Stockton University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 8,788enrollment
  • $19,752net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1260SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Worcester State University
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Worcester, MA

Worcester State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 5,611enrollment
  • $14,307net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1008-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Framingham State University
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Framingham, MA

Framingham State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,028enrollment
  • $16,640net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1255SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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