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

Chicago State University
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C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,324enrollment
  • $9,852net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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Indiana University Northwest
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I
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 3,045enrollment
  • $5,553net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Green Bay
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W
Green Bay, WI

University of Wisconsin Green Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 10,326enrollment
  • $10,289net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

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University of Akron Main Campus
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A
Akron, OH

University of Akron Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 13,518enrollment
  • $15,292net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
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I
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 8,874enrollment
  • $12,619net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northern State University
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N
Aberdeen, SD
 

Northern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,521enrollment
  • $16,873net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 800-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
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W
Stevens Point, WI

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 8,109enrollment
  • $14,347net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

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Indiana University Kokomo
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I
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,892enrollment
  • $6,459net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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Indiana University East
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I
Richmond, IN
 

Indiana University East

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 2,985enrollment
  • $9,484net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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Saginaw Valley State University
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S
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 6,889enrollment
  • $15,144net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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University of Wisconsin Superior
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W
Superior, WI

University of Wisconsin Superior

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 2,726enrollment
  • $13,126net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northwest Missouri State University
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N
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 9,664enrollment
  • $15,497net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Southwest Minnesota State University
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S
Marshall, MN
 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 7,324enrollment
  • $14,839net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 935-1102SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 18

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Missouri Southern State University
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M
Joplin, MO
 

Missouri Southern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 4,090enrollment
  • $11,264net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Indiana University South Bend
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I
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 4,446enrollment
  • $8,090net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Southeast Missouri State University
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S
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 9,686enrollment
  • $14,843net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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University of Wisconsin Parkside
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W
Kenosha, WI

University of Wisconsin Parkside

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 4,008enrollment
  • $8,778net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Youngstown State University
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Y
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 11,040enrollment
  • $11,740net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 940-1210SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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