Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.
Some people believe that public universities are no match for expensive and prestigious private universities. However, public colleges and universities provide several fantastic benefits that private institutions might not.
While public universities are not everyone’s dream school, they can still provide one of the best and most practical ways to have a successful career.
With the rise of college education, more and more students are considering obtaining a degree from a public university. As a result, the public college admissions process is getting more competitive.
While these are government-funded institutions, public colleges still need to take control of their student body to provide high-quality education and still be able to compete with private colleges.
Low Tuition and Fees: This is the #1 advantage of enrolling in a public school. The federal and state governments fund state universities and other public colleges. As a result, a public college has lower tuition and fees than a private school.
Additionally, public schools offer different types of financial aid that will significantly reduce tuition and fees. Many public universities offer discounted tuition.
According to recent data, undergraduate students at public universities incur lower student debts than students in private colleges and universities due to low tuition costs.
Greater Inclusivity: More students from other towns, states, and even nations enroll in public universities than private universities. Public universities have far more diverse student bodies than private colleges because of the sheer number of students who attend. This implies that you’ll have more chances to connect with supporters or other students who share your beliefs.
Great Athletic Programs and Bigger Greek Life: Public universities typically devote more resources to their athletic departments than private universities and house the best sports teams.
Even if you’re not a major sports enthusiast, you can still consider the camaraderie you’ll find at your school’s athletic events to be a crucial aspect of college life. After all, one of the biggest athletic programs in higher education is college basketball.
Public universities have better Greek life due to their large student body. More clubs, social gatherings, student activities, and campus performances keep everyone entertained.
On-Campus Employment Options: Larger public institutions have a ton of on-campus job opportunities for students. There are generally always positions available for students to work a few hours per week, whether they work in the library, the gym, or one of the various offices. Additionally, public schools also offer vast internship opportunities.
More Academic Programs: Because public universities get their funding from the government and have a more diverse student body, they generally offer more majors than private colleges and universities.
This is extremely helpful if you are unsure about the major you want to pursue. It is particularly beneficial if you intend to study a niche subject or a major that is difficult to locate.
Additionally, the best public universities receive the largest funding for research facilities and labs, which result in more significant research opportunities.
Even though public institutions frequently have greater acceptance rates than private colleges, that doesn’t necessarily indicate that admission will be simple. You should take your time and research to select the best public institutions, just like you would with any other college on your list.
Look into the school’s resources, programs, financial aid, enrollment, and graduation rates. You also must treat your application to the public school as if it’s your dream school.
Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a 4-year degree at a public university is often lower than the cost at a private college, especially for students attending a public school in their state. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a 4-year public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually.
Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models — one is a private company with private funding, the other is owned by the state and receives state and federal funding to operate. If you’re weighing the pros and cons of private vs public college, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.
If you would like to see this ranking without school size considered, visit our best universities in the US ranking.
The following list of the best public colleges and universities is composed entirely of schools offering four-year undergraduate degree programs. We’ve identified 637 public universities in the United States. In order to be included in this list of best public colleges and universities, a school must be fully accredited and must receive direct funding from the state.
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
93%
Student body
43K
Median SAT/ACT
1420/32
University of California, Berkeley’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
94%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1430/32
University of Michigan’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
92%
Student body
46K
University of California, Los Angeles’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
21%
Graduation
94%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1415/32
University of Virginia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
53%
Graduation
84%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1326/30
University of Washington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
84%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1331/30
University of Pittsburgh’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
90%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1385/30
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
57%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/27
City College of New York’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
89%
Student body
38K
Median SAT/ACT
1360/29
University of Wisconsin–Madison’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
88%
Student body
45K
Median SAT/ACT
1340/29
University of Texas at Austin’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
84%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1325/30
United States Military Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
84%
Student body
42K
Median SAT/ACT
1350/28
University of Minnesota’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
16%
Graduation
92%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1450/33
Georgia Tech’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
34%
Graduation
89%
Student body
41K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/31
University of California, San Diego’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
85%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1345/31
University of California, Santa Barbara’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$18K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
85%
Student body
55K
Median SAT/ACT
1330/30
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$24K
Acceptance
37%
Graduation
91%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1395/32
William & Mary’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
88%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/32
University of Maryland, College Park’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
38%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1004/25
University of Baltimore’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
66%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1267/27
New College of Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
67%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/25
University of Utah’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
81%
Student body
41K
Median SAT/ACT
1235/27
Indiana University Bloomington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
83%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1295/29
Purdue University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
48%
Graduation
78%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1335/29
Stony Brook University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
91%
Student body
48K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/31
University of Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
74%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/25
University of Iowa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Acceptance
12%
Graduation
86%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1325/31
United States Air Force Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
64%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/25
University of Arizona’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
74%
Student body
21K
Median SAT/ACT
1190/25
University of Oregon’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
66%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/25
University of Kansas’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
56%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/23
Wayne State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
54%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1140/21
University of New Mexico’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
51%
Graduation
56%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/25
Brooklyn College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
82%
Student body
43K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/26
Michigan State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
84%
Student body
37K
Median SAT/ACT
1330/29
University of California, Irvine’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
88%
Student body
56K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
Ohio State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
70%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/27
George Mason University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
56%
Graduation
83%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1280/29
University of Connecticut’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
87%
Student body
38K
Median SAT/ACT
1280/29
University of California, Davis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
78%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1260/29
University of California, Santa Cruz’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
74%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1165/25
Virginia Military Institute’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
73%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/26
University of Missouri’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
84%
Student body
30K
Median SAT/ACT
1295/29
University of Massachusetts Amherst’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$1K
Acceptance
25%
Graduation
81%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1290/27
United States Merchant Marine Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
76%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/26
University of Oklahoma’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
40%
Graduation
88%
Student body
39K
Median SAT/ACT
1355/31
University of Georgia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
72%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1221/28
University of Tennessee’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
68%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/25
University of Kentucky’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
51%
Student body
4K
Washburn University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Photo Credit: University of California, Berkeley, Wheeler Hall, By Bob Collowan, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.