Top Rated New England Public Colleges

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in New England as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2027 as the best public college in New England is University of Connecticut. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.

24 Results
Sort:
New England Public 4 Year

  • Public 4 Year
  • Danbury, CT
  • | 0 reviews

Western Connecticut State is a public university known for undergraduate education, nursing, and the visual and performing arts. Students take classes across Midtown and Westside campuses in Danbury.

#5 Best Public Universities in Connecticut 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1040-1170
  • Avg GPA 3.38
  • Acceptance Rate 87%
  • Net Price $17,185

  • Public 4 Year
  • Portland, ME
  • | 0 reviews

USM is a public university known for undergraduate nursing, education, and business. Students split time between an urban Portland campus and a residential campus in nearby Gorham.

#2 Best Public Universities in Maine 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 990-1250
  • Avg GPA 3.33
  • Acceptance Rate 79%
  • Net Price $14,028
University of Maine at Farmington Campus
 

  • Public 4 Year
  • Farmington, ME
  • | 0 reviews

University of Maine at Farmington is a small public liberal arts college known for undergraduate teacher education and creative writing. The residential campus is set in the western Maine college town of Farmington.

#3 Best Public Universities in Maine 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 995-1245
  • Avg GPA 3.15
  • Acceptance Rate 97%
  • Net Price $17,451

  • Public 4 Year
  • Keene, NH
  • | 0 reviews
  • Dec 1 application deadline

Keene State is a public liberal arts college known for undergraduate teacher education and occupational safety studies. The compact campus sits in the small city of Keene in southwestern New Hampshire.

#2 Best Public Universities in New Hampshire 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 970-1170
  • Avg GPA 3.1
  • Acceptance Rate 90%
  • Net Price $19,997

  • Public 4 Year
  • Salem, MA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jun 1 application deadline

Salem State is a public university known for undergraduate nursing, education, and social work. The campus sits in the historic coastal city of Salem north of Boston.

#11 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 990-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.17
  • Acceptance Rate 96%
  • Net Price $17,541

  • Public 4 Year
  • Providence, RI
  • 2.5 | 2 reviews
  • Mar 15 application deadline

Rhode Island College is a public college known for undergraduate teacher education, nursing, and social work. The campus sits in a residential area on the north side of Providence.

#2 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 870-1120
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.08
  • Acceptance Rate 92%
  • Net Price $10,346