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

Westfield State University
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W
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,555enrollment
  • $17,723net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Penn State Harrisburg
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Middletown, PA

Penn State Harrisburg

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 4,651enrollment
  • $22,406net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.48Estimated Avg GPA

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William Paterson University of New Jersey
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W
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 9,426enrollment
  • $16,999net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1345SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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CUNY York College
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Y
Jamaica, NY

CUNY York College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,161enrollment
  • $5,631net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.15Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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SUNY College at Buffalo
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B
Buffalo, NY

SUNY College at Buffalo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,470enrollment
  • $13,735net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.84Avg GPA

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Montclair State University
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M
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 22,570enrollment
  • $13,880net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1225SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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Penn State Altoona
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P
Altoona, PA
 

Penn State Altoona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 2,421enrollment
  • $22,506net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.4Estimated Avg GPA

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Fitchburg State University
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F
Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 6,296enrollment
  • $15,820net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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University of Connecticut Stamford
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C
Stamford, CT

University of Connecticut Stamford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 2,240enrollment
  • $13,150net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1230SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Bridgewater State University
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B
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 9,550enrollment
  • $16,230net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Penn State Berks
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Reading, PA

Penn State Berks

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,944enrollment
  • $22,450net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 26-29ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Pittsburgh Greensburg
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Greensburg, PA

University of Pittsburgh Greensburg

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,326enrollment
  • $17,196net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1275SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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University of Southern Maine
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Portland, ME

University of Southern Maine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 7,528enrollment
  • $12,006net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 995-1280SAT range
  • 23-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Kean University
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K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 13,352enrollment
  • $11,593net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1198SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Rhode Island College
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R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 5,767enrollment
  • $11,549net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 860-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.08Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

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Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
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S
Shippensburg, PA

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 5,184enrollment
  • $23,344net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 990-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

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SUNY College at Old Westbury
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O
Old Westbury, NY
 

SUNY College at Old Westbury

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 4,449enrollment
  • $10,495net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1206SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

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Millersville University of Pennsylvania
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Millersville, PA

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 6,732enrollment
  • $20,860net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

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