Top Rated Midwest Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Midwest for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Midwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in the Midwest is University of Michigan. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Midwest Public 4 year

93 results

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
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Eau Claire, WI

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 10,104enrollment
  • $15,000net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Kearney, NE

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 6,041enrollment
  • $16,564net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Western Illinois University
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Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 7,643enrollment
  • $11,213net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Wayne State University
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Detroit, MI

Wayne State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 23,630enrollment
  • $15,347net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Grand Valley State University
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G
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 21,648enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 960-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of South Dakota
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Vermillion, SD

University of South Dakota

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in South Dakota

  • 9,856enrollment
  • $18,378net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1300SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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South Dakota State University
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Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $18,160net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1245SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Minnesota State University Moorhead
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Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 4,682enrollment
  • $17,939net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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University of Nebraska at Omaha
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Omaha, NE

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 15,058enrollment
  • $12,973net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northeastern Illinois University
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Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,756enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Western Michigan University
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Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 17,000enrollment
  • $20,030net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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University of Michigan Flint
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Flint, MI

University of Michigan Flint

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 5,985enrollment
  • $10,840net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 930-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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Eastern Illinois University
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Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 8,857enrollment
  • $13,380net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 900-1120SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of Central Missouri
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Warrensburg, MO

University of Central Missouri

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 11,637enrollment
  • $15,117net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Saint Cloud State University
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Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 10,420enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1027-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Wisconsin Platteville
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Platteville, WI

University of Wisconsin Platteville

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 6,486enrollment
  • $15,595net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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Central Michigan University
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C
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,557enrollment
  • $15,605net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 16,920enrollment
  • $20,485net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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