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.


66 results

California State University Fresno
C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,999enrollment
  • $7,507net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

Adams State College
A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,854enrollment
  • $13,224net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Southern Oregon University
S
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 5,204enrollment
  • $17,976net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Boise State University
B
Boise, ID

Boise State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Idaho

  • 26,115enrollment
  • $17,724net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.37Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

California State University Northridge
C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,579enrollment
  • $8,936net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

California State University San Bernardino
C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,803enrollment
  • $8,805net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Colorado State University Pueblo
C
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 6,617enrollment
  • $13,033net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 900-1150SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

The University of Montana Western
M
Dillon, MT
 

The University of Montana Western

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,424enrollment
  • $11,584net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 890-1120SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

California State University Los Angeles
C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,460enrollment
  • $5,801net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 19

Lewis Clark State College
L
Lewiston, ID
 

Lewis Clark State College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Idaho

  • 3,746enrollment
  • $11,476net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 850-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 8

Metropolitan State College of Denver
M
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 16,995enrollment
  • $14,805net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.03Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

University of Alaska Fairbanks
A
Fairbanks, AK

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Alaska

  • 6,607enrollment
  • $9,450net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15