Top Rated Midwest Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Midwest for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Midwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 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.


93 results

Minnesota State University Mankato
M
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 14,590enrollment
  • $16,809net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Lake Superior State University
L
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 1,655enrollment
  • $14,336net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1225SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

University of Wisconsin Stout
W
Menomonie, WI

University of Wisconsin Stout

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 7,234enrollment
  • $15,510net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

Oakland University
O
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 16,108enrollment
  • $15,161net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1245SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Cleveland State University
C
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 14,385enrollment
  • $15,719net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 880-1130SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Missouri State University Springfield
M
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 22,535enrollment
  • $17,677net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 973-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
W
Oshkosh, WI

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 13,705enrollment
  • $12,827net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Ferris State University
F
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 10,072enrollment
  • $13,978net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 910-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

University of Wisconsin River Falls
W
River Falls, WI

University of Wisconsin River Falls

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 5,188enrollment
  • $13,427net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Bemidji State University
B
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 4,023enrollment
  • $15,561net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Dakota State University
D
Madison, SD

Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,241enrollment
  • $17,977net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Indiana University Southeast
I
New Albany, IN
 

Indiana University Southeast

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 3,672enrollment
  • $8,264net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Northern State University
N
Aberdeen, SD
 

Northern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,344enrollment
  • $17,264net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 800-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Eastern Michigan University
E
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,018enrollment
  • $15,826net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

University of Akron Main Campus
A
Akron, OH

University of Akron Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 13,465enrollment
  • $14,667net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Kent State University at Kent
K
Kent, OH

Kent State University at Kent

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 25,854enrollment
  • $19,046net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
W
Milwaukee, WI

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 22,676enrollment
  • $16,551net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

University of Wisconsin Whitewater
W
Whitewater, WI

University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 11,079enrollment
  • $13,322net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA