Top Rated New England Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in New England for 2025

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


25 results

University of Connecticut
C
Storrs, CT

University of Connecticut

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in America

  • 27,364enrollment
  • $22,324net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1420SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

University of Massachusetts Amherst
M
Amherst, MA

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 31,810enrollment
  • $22,954net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1480SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

University of Vermont
V
Burlington, VT

University of Vermont

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Vermont

  • 14,320enrollment
  • $22,062net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1420SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Massachusetts Maritime Academy
M
Buzzards Bay, MA

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 1,362enrollment
  • $20,759net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1185SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

University of New Hampshire Main Campus
N
Durham, NH

University of New Hampshire Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in New Hampshire

  • 13,626enrollment
  • $24,762net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

University of Rhode Island
R
Kingston, RI

University of Rhode Island

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 17,351enrollment
  • $20,964net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Central Connecticut State University
C
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 9,712enrollment
  • $17,207net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 26

University of Massachusetts Boston
M
Boston, MA

University of Massachusetts Boston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 15,810enrollment
  • $17,554net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

University of Massachusetts Lowell
M
Lowell, MA

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 16,770enrollment
  • $17,624net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1350SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Eastern Connecticut State University
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

University of Maine
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

Western Connecticut State University
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

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
M
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

Worcester State University
W
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

Framingham State University
F
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

Westfield State University
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

Fitchburg State University
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

University of Connecticut Stamford
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