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

Worcester State University
W
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 5,311enrollment
  • $14,435net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Oregon Institute of Technology
O
Klamath Falls, OR
 

Oregon Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 4,911enrollment
  • $17,283net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1255SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
I
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 25,979enrollment
  • $11,462net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15

University of Maine
M
Orono, ME

University of Maine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 12,231enrollment
  • $17,617net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Illinois State University
I
Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,683enrollment
  • $20,551net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

West Chester University of Pennsylvania
W
West Chester, PA

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 17,275enrollment
  • $22,973net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1260SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Penn State Erie Behrend College
P
Erie, PA

Penn State Erie Behrend College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 3,295enrollment
  • $21,968net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1330SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.49Estimated Avg GPA

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
S
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 12,519enrollment
  • $13,586net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 930-1160SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

California State University Long Beach
C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 38,973enrollment
  • $9,346net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Utah State University
U
Logan, UT

Utah State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Utah

  • 27,943enrollment
  • $14,577net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

The Evergreen State College
E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 2,105enrollment
  • $16,318net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

University of Alabama at Huntsville
A
Huntsville, AL

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,237enrollment
  • $18,588net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1226-1430SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

The University of Texas at Tyler
T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,322enrollment
  • $13,248net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

Mississippi State University
M
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Mississippi

  • 22,649enrollment
  • $15,364net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Ohio University Main Campus
O
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 24,145enrollment
  • $20,207net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

University of Minnesota Duluth
M
Duluth, MN

University of Minnesota Duluth

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 9,675enrollment
  • $18,031net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1350SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Winona State University
W
Winona, MN

Winona State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 6,154enrollment
  • $18,187net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1270SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Framingham State University
F
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,111enrollment
  • $17,715net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1200SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15