Top Rated U.S. Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in America is University of Michigan. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


444 results nationwide

Central Connecticut State University
C
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 9,468enrollment
  • $17,088net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 26

University of Pittsburgh Bradford
P
Bradford, PA

University of Pittsburgh Bradford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $16,505net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 980-1196SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

University of Toledo
T
Toledo, OH

University of Toledo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 15,545enrollment
  • $17,654net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Ball State University
B
Muncie, IN

Ball State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 19,777enrollment
  • $12,615net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1260SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

University of Wisconsin La Crosse
W
La Crosse, WI

University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 10,274enrollment
  • $13,130net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Fitchburg State University
F
Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 6,554enrollment
  • $15,535net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 27,503enrollment
  • $12,480net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Stockton University
S
Galloway, NJ
 

Stockton University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 9,080enrollment
  • $18,515net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

William Paterson University of New Jersey
W
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 9,070enrollment
  • $12,967net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 990-1345SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

San Jose State University
S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,751enrollment
  • $14,219net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

West Virginia University
W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,741enrollment
  • $12,202net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

University of North Carolina at Charlotte
N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 29,551enrollment
  • $13,951net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown
P
Johnstown, PA

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 2,043enrollment
  • $17,545net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
W
Eau Claire, WI

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 10,104enrollment
  • $15,000net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Radford University
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,718enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

North Dakota State University Main Campus
N
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in North Dakota

  • 12,242enrollment
  • $15,962net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 968-1216SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Tennessee Technological University
T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,902enrollment
  • $15,188net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Nebraska at Kearney
N
Kearney, NE

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 6,041enrollment
  • $16,564net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15