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

Northeastern Illinois University
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N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,504enrollment
  • $14,669net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of Wisconsin Stout
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W
Menomonie, WI

University of Wisconsin Stout

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 6,951enrollment
  • $15,574net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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University of Wisconsin River Falls
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W
River Falls, WI

University of Wisconsin River Falls

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 5,064enrollment
  • $15,242net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

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Bemidji State University
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B
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 3,926enrollment
  • $16,349net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Oakland University
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O
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 15,922enrollment
  • $15,734net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 995-1185SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

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Cleveland State University
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C
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 14,117enrollment
  • $16,307net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 880-1130SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
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W
Oshkosh, WI

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 13,761enrollment
  • $12,942net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Indiana University Southeast
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I
New Albany, IN
 

Indiana University Southeast

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 3,752enrollment
  • $8,829net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1190SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Missouri State University Springfield
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M
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 23,418enrollment
  • $17,104net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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Wright State University Main Campus
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W
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 9,884enrollment
  • $15,400net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 913-1230SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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University of Southern Indiana
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S
Evansville, IN

University of Southern Indiana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 9,282enrollment
  • $14,066net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Central Michigan University
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C
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,399enrollment
  • $15,826net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Minnesota State University Mankato
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M
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 14,709enrollment
  • $17,227net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Dakota State University
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D
Madison, SD

Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,508enrollment
  • $19,115net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1340SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Eastern Michigan University
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E
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 13,324enrollment
  • $17,388net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 910-1170SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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Kent State University at Kent
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K
Kent, OH

Kent State University at Kent

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 26,106enrollment
  • $20,333net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Wisconsin Whitewater
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W
Whitewater, WI

University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 11,519enrollment
  • $13,670net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
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W
Milwaukee, WI

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 22,481enrollment
  • $16,499net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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