Top Rated Midwest Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Midwest for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Midwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 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

#2 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 9,991enrollment
  • $15,323net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Wisconsin La Crosse
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La Crosse, WI

University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 10,299enrollment
  • $13,125net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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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

  • 6,017enrollment
  • $16,249net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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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

  • 9,868enrollment
  • $18,466net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1330SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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South Dakota State University
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S
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 11,498enrollment
  • $18,233net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Wayne State University
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Detroit, MI

Wayne State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 23,553enrollment
  • $16,021net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Minnesota State University Moorhead
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M
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 4,410enrollment
  • $18,231net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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University of Michigan Flint
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M
Flint, MI

University of Michigan Flint

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 6,130enrollment
  • $12,344net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 950-1210SAT range
  • 17-29ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 22

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Ferris State University
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F
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 9,918enrollment
  • $13,154net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg 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

  • 10,514enrollment
  • $14,648net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1280SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Western Michigan University
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Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 16,693enrollment
  • $20,183net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg 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

  • 15,015enrollment
  • $13,284net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 7,073enrollment
  • $12,168net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg 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

  • 17,027enrollment
  • $20,987net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Lake Superior State University
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Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 1,669enrollment
  • $14,345net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1225SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg 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

  • 12,788enrollment
  • $15,728net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Eastern Illinois University
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E
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 8,804enrollment
  • $14,621net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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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

  • 6,696enrollment
  • $15,966net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.39Estimated Avg GPA

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