Top Rated Midwest Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Midwest for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Midwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 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.
Midwest Public 4 year

93 results

Iowa State University
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I
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 30,177enrollment
  • $17,354net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1350SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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University of Michigan Dearborn
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M
Dearborn, MI

University of Michigan Dearborn

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 8,035enrollment
  • $12,798net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 990-1260SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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S
Rapid City, SD

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 2,492enrollment
  • $20,243net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Cincinnati Main Campus
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C
Cincinnati, OH

University of Cincinnati Main Campus

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 43,338enrollment
  • $21,511net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Missouri St Louis
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M
Saint Louis, MO

University of Missouri St Louis

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 14,800enrollment
  • $11,577net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 25,497enrollment
  • $11,592net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15

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University of Illinois at Springfield
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I
Springfield, IL

University of Illinois at Springfield

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 4,661enrollment
  • $9,241net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Northern Illinois University
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N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,504enrollment
  • $13,533net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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S
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 11,359enrollment
  • $16,131net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Ohio University Main Campus
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O
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 24,937enrollment
  • $20,550net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Illinois State University
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I
Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,989enrollment
  • $20,871net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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University of Northern Iowa
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N
Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 9,013enrollment
  • $15,931net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 860-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Ball State University
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B
Muncie, IN

Ball State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 20,440enrollment
  • $13,017net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1250SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Winona State University
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W
Winona, MN

Winona State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 6,058enrollment
  • $18,919net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 980-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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University of Minnesota Duluth
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M
Duluth, MN

University of Minnesota Duluth

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 9,350enrollment
  • $19,542net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1128-1335SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
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Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 12,045enrollment
  • $15,182net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Grand Valley State University
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G
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 22,269enrollment
  • $17,995net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of Toledo
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T
Toledo, OH

University of Toledo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 14,939enrollment
  • $17,927net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

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