Top Rated West Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the West for 2024

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

66 results

University of Northern Colorado
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N
Greeley, CO

University of Northern Colorado

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 9,380enrollment
  • $18,310net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Hawaii at Hilo
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H
Hilo, HI

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,977enrollment
  • $13,867net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 960-1200SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,183enrollment
  • $15,517net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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Sonoma State University
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S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,386enrollment
  • $7,925net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Western State Colorado University
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W
Gunnison, CO

Western State Colorado University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 3,548enrollment
  • $16,672net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1270SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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The University of Montana
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M
Missoula, MT

The University of Montana

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 9,955enrollment
  • $16,361net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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Portland State University
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P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 21,609enrollment
  • $16,273net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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San Francisco State University
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S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,282enrollment
  • $13,267net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Western Oregon University
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W
Monmouth, OR

Western Oregon University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 3,751enrollment
  • $16,754net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 985-1220SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Fort Lewis College
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F
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 3,400enrollment
  • $15,685net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1260SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,025enrollment
  • $14,325net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 30

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California State University San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,818enrollment
  • $11,596net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Southern Utah University
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S
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Utah

  • 14,330enrollment
  • $12,681net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 8

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Eastern Washington University
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E
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 10,910enrollment
  • $12,827net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 10

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California State University Monterey Bay
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C
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 7,045enrollment
  • $11,435net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Colorado Mesa University
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C
Grand Junction, CO

Colorado Mesa University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 8,905enrollment
  • $15,085net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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