What Are Public Ivy League Schools?

By Zach Skillings

Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts. Full Bio

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Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer Intern at Scholarships360. Cece is an undergraduate student at Arizona State University pursuing a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. While at ASU, she has become the Education Editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece is also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU. Full Bio

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College. Full Bio

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania. Full Bio

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Updated: March 15th, 2023

Most people have heard of Ivy League schools. These highly prestigious private universities are known for their top-notch academic programs, as well as their hefty tuition rates. Many students dream of attending one of these schools, but the low acceptance rates make it tough to obtain an Ivy League education. 

But what if we told you that it’s possible to achieve an education that’s on par with Ivy League schools without stressing about low acceptance rates or breaking the bank? You can do so by choosing to attend one of the many “Public Ivies.” This select group of public universities are known for their distinguished academic programs and low in-state tuition costs. 

Related: Top Ivy League scholarships

What is a Public Ivy?

The Public Ivies are a group of prestigious public schools that have a stellar reputation for academic excellence. These colleges and universities are known for providing an Ivy League-level education at a fraction of the cost (when attending in-state). The concept of “Public Ivy” schools was introduced by Richard Moll, who coined the term in his 1985 book, The Public Ivies: A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities. Moll deemed eight schools worthy of Public Ivy status, based on the following basic criteria:

• High academic rigor
• Resources to spend on exceptional faculty and facilities
• Enrolling the best and brightest students 

Many schools have since been added to the list of Public Ivies, which we’ll explore in a later section.

Learn more: What’s the difference between a public and private university?

What are the original Public Ivy schools? 

The list of Public Ivies has gone through many revisions over time, but let’s start with Richard Moll’s original 1985 list. Here’s a breakdown, in order of lowest acceptance rate to highest: 

Note that Richard Moll included the entire University of California school system in his list of eight Public Ivies. There were eight UC campuses in 1985, meaning that the total number of original Public Ivies is actually 15. Here’s a breakdown of the UC schools:

What other schools are considered Public Ivies? 

The collection of Public Ivies expanded when Howard and Matthew Greene published their 2001 book, The Public Ivies: America’s Flagship Public Universities. The Greene Public Ivies List includes over 30 universities, broken down by various U.S. regions. Take a look below: 

What are the best Public Ivy Schools today?

As you can see, the list of Public Ivies has evolved over time, and it varies depending on who you ask. These days, there’s no official modern-day list. However, the following five schools are widely considered the cream of the crop when it comes to Public Ivies:  

1. University of California, Berkeley
2. University of California, Los Angeles
3. University of Michigan
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
5. University of Virginia 

All five of these schools were included in the original 1985 list, and they continue to be recognized as standout Public Ivies based on their prestige and academic reputation. 

Related: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

What’s the difference between Public Ivies and Ivy League schools?

Let’s compare the experience of attending a Public Ivy to the experience of attending an Ivy League school.

Tuition 

One of the most attractive qualities about Public Ivies is that they are usually more affordable than Ivy League schools, especially for in-state students. Most Public Ivies charge between $10,000 and $20,000 per year for in-state tuition. Alternatively, tuition rates at Ivy League schools are usually upwards of $50,000. However, you should expect to pay a higher tuition rate if you’re planning to attend a Public Ivy as an out-of-state student. 

Financial Aid 

Although Public Ivies have lower tuition rates than Ivy League schools, they tend to offer less financial aid. Because Ivy League schools have substantial endowments and don’t have to rely on ever-changing state funding, they have the ability to offer bigger financial aid packages. Need-based financial aid at Public Ivies is typically reserved for in-state students. 

For instance, UC Berkeley does not grant need-based financial aid to out-of-state students. With that being said, there are still many scholarship and financial aid opportunities available for students looking to attend Public Ivies. 

Size

Another big difference between Public Ivies and Ivy League schools is the student population. As you can tell by the lists above, Public Ivies tend to have undergraduate enrollment numbers in the tens of thousands. Alternatively, Ivy League schools have much smaller student bodies and lower student-faculty ratios. 

Selectiveness

Acceptance rates among Public Ivy schools vary quite a bit. For example, UCLA admits 12.3% of its applicants while the University of Arizona admits 84.6% of applicants. For the most part, though, Public Ivies have admission rates in the 20-35% range. Alternatively, the average acceptance rate at Ivy League schools is about 5%. This means that even the most selective Public Ivy has a higher acceptance rate than that of all Ivy League schools. 

Is a Public Ivy right for me?

If you’re seeking a relatively affordable education with a quality that’s on par with Ivy League schools, then Public Ivies are definitely an attractive option. Although selectivity and prestige vary from school to school, you’re sure to find a rewarding academic experience at any Public Ivy. That being said, Public Ivies are not the only option out there. Most are still quite selective, so if you do not gain admission to a Public Ivy, don’t let your hopes be dashed. There are many great public and private universities out there.

Pros and cons of Public Ivies

Pros

• Top-tier educational experience for public school tuition
• Prestigious degree that will be helpful in pursuing a career or graduate degree
• Networking opportunities with students and professors who will be industry leaders
• Higher admittance rate than the Ivy League
• Drastically lower cost for in-state students

Cons

• Some Public Ivies don’t carry the same reputation that Private Ivies do
• Less financial aid than private ivies (Unless you are in-state)
• Most private Ivies are on the larger side, which can be a great fit for some students, but overwhelming for others

Key Takeaways

• Public Ivies offer top-notch educations at low in-state tuition rates
• Students should research their options; while Public Ivies charge lower tuition, they usually offer less need-based financial aid (especially to out-of-state students)
• UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, UMich, UNC Chapel Hill, and the University of Virginia are the most prestigious Public Ivies
• The acceptance rates at Public Ivies vary, with an average acceptance of 20-35%

Keep reading: How to choose a college and What are the Hidden Ivies? 

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