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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 a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. 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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    500 colleges
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    G

    Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

    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
    93% graduation rate
    17,379 undergrads
    $14,588 net price
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    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

    23% acceptance
    90% graduation rate
    33,673 undergrads
    $6,275 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

    11% acceptance
    94% graduation rate
    32,475 undergrads
    $17,371 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. The university offers a diverse range of academic and extracurricular activities, with…Read More

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

    9% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    32,423 undergrads
    $15,637 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
    32,448 undergrads
    $16,792 net price
    M

    United States Merchant Marine Academy

    Kings Point, NY • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public 4-year college located in Kings Point, New York. There are currently 931 undergraduates at USMMA and the school’s acceptance rate is 27%.…

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

    27% acceptance
    77% graduation rate
    931 undergrads
    $6,502 net price
    D

    University of California-San Diego

    La Jolla, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    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

    24% acceptance
    88% graduation rate
    33,092 undergrads
    $15,069 net price

    University of Virginia-Main Campus

    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
    95% graduation rate
    17,103 undergrads
    $23,101 net price
    I

    University of California-Irvine

    Irvine, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    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

    21% acceptance
    87% graduation rate
    28,651 undergrads
    $12,426 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

    17% acceptance
    91% graduation rate
    19,921 undergrads
    $12,414 net price
    W

    University of Washington-Seattle Campus

    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

    48% acceptance
    84% graduation rate
    30,931 undergrads
    $13,404 net price
    D

    University of California-Davis

    Davis, CA • Public, Suburb

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

    Located in Northern California, UC Davis is known for its exceptional programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and environmental sciences. The campus boasts the UC Davis Arboretum, a 100-acre living museum…Read More

    Located in Northern California, UC Davis is known for its…Read More

    37% acceptance
    86% graduation rate
    31,512 undergrads
    $15,674 net price
    M

    University of Maryland-College Park

    College Park, MD • Public, Suburb

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

    University of Maryland-College Park is a public 4-year college located in College Park, Maryland. There are currently 29,982 undergraduates at Maryland-College Park and the school’s acceptance rate is 45%. The…

    University of Maryland-College Park is a public 4-year college located…Read More

    45% acceptance
    89% graduation rate
    29,982 undergrads
    $16,590 net price
    P

    Purdue University-Main Campus

    West Lafayette, IN • Public, City

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

    Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue is known for its strong engineering and aviation programs. It's the alma mater of several astronauts, including Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk…Read More

    Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue is known for its…Read More

    53% acceptance
    83% graduation rate
    38,438 undergrads
    $14,000 net price
    I

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Champaign, IL • Public, City

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

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is a public research university known for its outstanding engineering, business, and agriculture programs. UIUC is a major hub for research and innovation, with…Read More

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is a public research…Read More

    45% acceptance
    85% graduation rate
    34,031 undergrads
    $16,109 net price
    W

    University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Madison, WI • Public, City

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

    University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public 4-year college located in Madison, Wisconsin. There are currently 35,184 undergraduates at Wisconsin-Madison and the school’s acceptance rate is 49%. The tuition at Wisconsin-Madison…

    University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    49% acceptance
    89% graduation rate
    35,184 undergrads
    $16,834 net price
    B

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

    New York, NY • Public, City

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

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is a public 4-year college located in New York, New York. There are currently 15,554 undergraduates at Baruch and the school’s acceptance rate is 50%.…

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is a public 4-year college…Read More

    50% acceptance
    74% graduation rate
    15,554 undergrads
    $3,644 net price
    C

    William & Mary

    Williamsburg, VA • Public, Suburb

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

    The College of William and Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It is known for its rigorous academics, strong…Read More

    The College of William and Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia,…Read More

    34% acceptance
    91% graduation rate
    6,778 undergrads
    $19,442 net price
    C

    California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo, CA • Public, Suburb

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

    If you're a hands-on learner, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo might be the perfect fit. Known for its "Learn by Doing" philosophy, Cal Poly offers strong programs in engineering, architecture,…Read More

    If you're a hands-on learner, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo…Read More

    30% acceptance
    85% graduation rate
    20,976 undergrads
    $18,766 net price
    T

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Austin, TX • Public, City

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

    The University of Texas at Austin is a public 4-year college located in Austin, Texas. There are currently 40,980 undergraduates at UT Austin and the school’s acceptance rate is 31%.…

    The University of Texas at Austin is a public 4-year…Read More

    31% acceptance
    88% graduation rate
    40,980 undergrads
    $18,850 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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