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    Top Public Universities in the US

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is the Director of Content at Scholarships360. He has written over 300 articles on college admissions, financial aid, and scholarships, in addition to spearheading research projects for Scholarships360's Top Colleges resource. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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    Learn about our editorial policies

    Updated: December 11th, 2023

    Public universities offer a world-class education at a price point that is often much lower than private schools. Public schools, especially state schools, tend to be on the bigger side, and they offer substantial tuition discounts to in-state students. Some states also have tuition reciprocity agreements, which allow students to receive tuition discounts for out-of-state schools. Check out our list of public schools below and compare your options by size, cost, grad rate, admissions rate, and more:

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    514 colleges
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    Georgia Institute of Technology

    Atlanta, GA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly known as Georgia Tech, is a top-ranked public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, known for its strong engineering, computing, and business programs. With a vibrant…Read More

    Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly known as Georgia Tech, is…Read More

    17% acceptance
    91% graduation rate
    17,379 undergrads
    $14,588 net price
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    University of Virginia

    Charlottesville, VA • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA is known for its historic campus and strong programs in law, business, and the humanities. The Rotunda, designed by Jefferson, is a UNESCO World Heritage…Read More

    Founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA is known for its historic…Read More

    19% acceptance
    96% graduation rate
    17,103 undergrads
    $23,101 net price

    Auburn University

    Auburn, AL • Public, City

    f you're a fan of spirited college traditions and Southern charm, Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, might be the perfect fit for you. Known for its passionate fan base and…Read More

    f you're a fan of spirited college traditions and Southern…Read More

    50% acceptance
    79% graduation rate
    25,732 undergrads
    $23,897 net price

    SUNY Polytechnic Institute

    Utica, NY • Public, Suburb

    SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public 4-year college located in Utica, New York. There are currently 1,852 undergraduates at SUNY Poly and the school’s acceptance rate is 82%. The tuition…Read More

    SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    82% acceptance
    62% graduation rate
    1,852 undergrads
    $12,949 net price

    Arizona State University

    Tempe, AZ • Public, City

    Top College Top Affordability
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Did you know that ASU is home to over 800 student organizations and clubs? If you're looking for a large, innovative university with a strong focus on research and entrepreneurship,…Read More

    Did you know that ASU is home to over 800…Read More

    90% acceptance
    67% graduation rate
    64,778 undergrads
    $12,817 net price

    Illinois State University

    Normal, IL • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top Accessibility
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Accessibility

    Illinois State University is a public 4-year college located in Normal, Illinois. There are currently 18,019 undergraduates at Illinois State and the school’s acceptance rate is 80%. The tuition at…Read More

    Illinois State University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    80% acceptance
    67% graduation rate
    18,019 undergrads
    $19,966 net price
    O

    Oakland University

    Rochester Hills, MI • Public, Suburb

    Oakland University is a public 4-year college located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. There are currently 12,626 undergraduates at Oakland and the school’s acceptance rate is 90%. The tuition at Oakland…Read More

    Oakland University is a public 4-year college located in Rochester…Read More

    90% acceptance
    58% graduation rate
    12,626 undergrads
    $12,614 net price

    Northern Illinois University

    Dekalb, IL • Public, Suburb

    Northern Illinois University is a public 4-year college located in Dekalb, Illinois. There are currently 11,408 undergraduates at NIU and the school’s acceptance rate is 71%. The tuition at NIU…Read More

    Northern Illinois University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    71% acceptance
    53% graduation rate
    11,408 undergrads
    $13,484 net price
    W

    Western Michigan University

    Kalamazoo, MI • Public, City

    Western Michigan University is a public 4-year college located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. There are currently 13,264 undergraduates at WMU and the school’s acceptance rate is 85%. The tuition at WMU…Read More

    Western Michigan University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    85% acceptance
    55% graduation rate
    13,264 undergrads
    $19,884 net price

    Plymouth State University

    Plymouth, NH • Public, Town

    Plymouth State University is a public 4-year college located in Plymouth, New Hampshire. There are currently 3,286 undergraduates at Plymouth State and the school’s acceptance rate is 98%. The tuition…Read More

    Plymouth State University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    98% acceptance
    51% graduation rate
    3,286 undergrads
    $20,083 net price

    Northern Michigan University

    Marquette, MI • Public, Town

    Northern Michigan University is a public 4-year college located in Marquette, Michigan. There are currently 6,322 undergraduates at Northern Michigan and the school’s acceptance rate is 71%. The tuition at…Read More

    Northern Michigan University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    71% acceptance
    53% graduation rate
    6,322 undergrads
    $16,723 net price
    F

    University of Florida

    Gainesville, FL • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Located in Gainesville, Florida, UF is the school where Gatorade was invented. The university excels in research and athletics, with notable alumni including Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and actress…Read More

    Located in Gainesville, Florida, UF is the school where Gatorade…Read More

    24% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    34,102 undergrads
    $6,351 net price
    B

    University of California-Berkeley

    Berkeley, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    UC Berkeley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is one of the most prestigious public schools in the country, renowned for its pioneering research and activism. Home to the…Read More

    UC Berkeley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is…Read More

    12% acceptance
    93% graduation rate
    33,073 undergrads
    $14,979 net price
    U

    University of California-Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Located in Los Angeles, California, UCLA is renowned for its strong programs in film, theater, and the arts. With a vibrant campus life in the heart of LA, students have…Read More

    Located in Los Angeles, California, UCLA is renowned for its…Read More

    9% acceptance
    93% graduation rate
    33,040 undergrads
    $14,013 net price
    M

    University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

    Ann Arbor, MI • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the University of Michigan is famous for its extensive research opportunities and strong athletic programs. The campus features iconic facilities like the Michigan Stadium ("The…Read More

    Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the University of Michigan is…Read More

    18% acceptance
    93% graduation rate
    33,488 undergrads
    $14,832 net price
    M

    United States Merchant Marine Academy

    Kings Point, NY • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public 4-year college located in Kings Point, New York. There are currently 947 undergraduates at USMMA and the school’s acceptance rate is 32%.…Read More

    United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public 4-year college…Read More

    32% acceptance
    81% graduation rate
    947 undergrads
    $7,506 net price
    D

    University of California-San Diego

    La Jolla, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability, Top Accessibility
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    UC San Diego, located in La Jolla, is famous for its research in oceanography, engineering, and the life sciences. The campus is home to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and…Read More

    UC San Diego, located in La Jolla, is famous for…Read More

    25% acceptance
    88% graduation rate
    33,787 undergrads
    $11,750 net price
    I

    University of California-Irvine

    Irvine, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability, Top Accessibility
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    UC Irvine, situated in Orange County, is recognized for its strong programs in the sciences, engineering, and the arts. The campus features Aldrich Park, a lush, 19-acre botanical garden. UCI…Read More

    UC Irvine, situated in Orange County, is recognized for its…Read More

    26% acceptance
    86% graduation rate
    29,494 undergrads
    $12,840 net price
    N

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, NC • Public, City, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    UNC, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is the oldest public university in the United States. Known for its strong programs in public health and journalism, the university boasts notable…Read More

    UNC, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is the oldest…Read More

    19% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    20,556 undergrads
    $12,983 net price
    W

    University of Washington-Seattle

    Seattle, WA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    The University of Washington (UW) is a public research university in Seattle, recognized for its strong programs in medicine, engineering, and computer science. As one of the oldest universities on…Read More

    The University of Washington (UW) is a public research university…Read More

    43% acceptance
    84% graduation rate
    31,588 undergrads
    $13,485 net price
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    About the Data

    We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    What you should know about public universities

    Public universities are funded by the federal government, which allows them to charge lower tuition, especially to in-state students. They typically have student populations on the larger side, and oftentimes have larger enrollment in each class as well.

    The larger size of public universities comes with advantages and disadvantages. Students may receive less of a personalized education at public schools. However, they often have more resources at their disposal, especially if they are doing research or anything that involves collaboration, laboratories, or other infrastructure.

    Apply to private schools too!

    Many students see the tuition cost at private colleges and write them off as too expensive. While it’s true that private schools do tend to charge more for tuition than public schools do, it’s important to remember they also tend to be more generous with financial aid. The only way to know the true cost of a private school is to gain admission and read through your financial aid award letter.

    Related: Differences between public and private schools

    Other college lists to explore

    Frequently asked questions about public universities

    What's the hardest public university to get into?

    UCLA and UC-Berkeley have the two lowest acceptance rates of any public schools as of 2023, with UCLA at 11% and UC-Berkeley at 14%. These are two of the most prestigious public schools in the country, but there are many other quality public universities for students to consider.

    Are public schools cheaper than private schools?

    Public schools tend to charge lower tuition than private schools. Especially for in-state students, they often end up being the cheapest option. However, the price difference is not as big as it looks on paper. Private schools tend to be more generous with financial aid, so many students end up only paying a portion of the sticker price you see listed on private colleges’ websites.

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