Top Rated West Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the West for 2025

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

Central Washington University
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C
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 8,796enrollment
  • $15,558net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.08Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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The Evergreen State College
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E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 2,320enrollment
  • $18,480net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 890-1260SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

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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

  • 9,067enrollment
  • $19,115net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 17-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 20,519enrollment
  • $12,509net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg 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

  • 10,327enrollment
  • $17,775net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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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

  • 4,053enrollment
  • $17,709net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg 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

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,908enrollment
  • $13,353net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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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

#2 Best Public Universities in Hawaii

  • 2,781enrollment
  • $12,936net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 898-1110SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 41,962enrollment
  • $6,283net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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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

  • 6,156enrollment
  • $13,837net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 30

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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

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $16,074net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

  • 15,431enrollment
  • $10,500net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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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

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,742enrollment
  • $15,222net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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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

  • 10,741enrollment
  • $13,786net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 10

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California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,172enrollment
  • $11,183net price
  • 94%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

  • 15,033enrollment
  • $12,375net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 8

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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

  • 8,995enrollment
  • $15,076net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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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

  • 3,857enrollment
  • $15,249net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 868-1108SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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