Top Rated U.S. Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in America for 2020

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2020 as the best public college in America is University of Michigan. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Public 4 year

637 results found

University of Michigan
M
Ann Arbor, MI
University of Michigan

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in America

  • 46,716enrollment
  • $16,408net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1510SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA
Compare Calculate my chances 
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
N
Chapel Hill, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in America

  • 30,011enrollment
  • $11,100net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1480SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 4.6Avg GPA
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College of William and Mary
W
Williamsburg, VA
College of William and Mary

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in America

  • 8,817enrollment
  • $17,415net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 4.12Avg GPA
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University of Virginia Main Campus
V
Charlottesville, VA
University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in America

  • 24,639enrollment
  • $16,594net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1500SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 4.22Avg GPA
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University of California Los Angeles
C
Los Angeles, CA
University of California Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in America

  • 44,537enrollment
  • $14,760net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1520SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 4.29Avg GPA
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University of California Berkeley
C
Berkeley, CA
University of California Berkeley

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in America

  • 42,501enrollment
  • $18,178net price
  • 15%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1530SAT range
  • 31-35ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA
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University of Washington Seattle Campus
W
Seattle, WA
University of Washington Seattle Campus

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in America

  • 47,400enrollment
  • $9,443net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1460SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
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University of California San Diego
C
La Jolla, CA
University of California San Diego

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in America

  • 37,887enrollment
  • $14,616net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1470SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.82*Avg GPA
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University of Florida
F
Gainesville, FL
University of Florida

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in America

  • 52,218enrollment
  • $15,283net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1440SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 4.1Avg GPA
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University of California Irvine
C
Irvine, CA
University of California Irvine

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in America

  • 36,032enrollment
  • $13,944net price
  • 29%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1410SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA
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University of California Davis
C
Davis, CA
University of California Davis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in America

  • 38,167enrollment
  • $16,446net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1400SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA
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University of Connecticut
Yes, connect me!
C
Storrs, CT
University of Connecticut

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in America

  • 27,412enrollment
  • $18,699net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1420SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.74*Avg GPA
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The University of Texas at Austin
T
Austin, TX
The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in America

  • 51,832enrollment
  • $14,356net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1480SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.8*Avg GPA
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Purdue University Main Campus
P
West Lafayette, IN
Purdue University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in America

  • 44,474enrollment
  • $12,117net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1410SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
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University of Maryland College Park
M
College Park, MD
University of Maryland College Park

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in America

  • 41,200enrollment
  • $17,241net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1470SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 4.11Avg GPA
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Virginia Military Institute
V
Lexington, VA
Virginia Military Institute

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in America

  • 1,685enrollment
  • $16,085net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1310SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
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North Carolina State University at Raleigh
N
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in America

  • 35,479enrollment
  • $13,442net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1390SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 4.37Avg GPA
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University at Buffalo
U
Buffalo, NY
University at Buffalo

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in America

  • 31,503enrollment
  • $16,120net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
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