Top 100 Public Universities in the United States

Discover the Top 100 Public Universities in the United States, renowned for their excellence in education, research, and innovation. Explore our comprehensive guide, including FAQs to help you find the perfect university for your academic ambitions.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Choosing the right university is a pivotal decision for students around the world. Public universities in the United States are often celebrated for their affordability, diverse programs, and contributions to research and public service. This post provides a list of the top 100 public universities in the US, based on factors such as academic reputation, student retention rates, faculty resources, and campus facilities. Whether you’re a prospective student or just curious about the educational landscape, this guide offers valuable insights into these institutions.

Here is a list of some of the top public universities in the United States.

Top 100 Public Universities in the US: Part 1 (Ranks 1-20)

Rank	University Name	City	State
1	University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley	California
2	University of California, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	California
3	University of Michigan	Ann Arbor	Michigan
4	University of Virginia	Charlottesville	Virginia
5	University of North Carolina	Chapel Hill	North Carolina
6	University of California, San Diego	San Diego	California
7	University of Wisconsin, Madison	Madison	Wisconsin
8	University of California, Davis	Davis	California
9	University of Florida	Gainesville	Florida
10	University of Texas at Austin	Austin	Texas
11	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Urbana-Champaign	Illinois
12	University of Washington	Seattle	Washington
13	University of Maryland, College Park	College Park	Maryland
14	Ohio State University	Columbus	Ohio
15	University of Georgia	Athens	Georgia
16	University of Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania
17	Pennsylvania State University	University Park	Pennsylvania
18	Purdue University	West Lafayette	Indiana
19	University of Minnesota	Minneapolis	Minnesota
20	Texas A&M University	College Station	Texas

Top 100 Public Universities in the US: Part 2 (Ranks 21-40)

Rank	University Name	City	State
21	University of California, Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara	California
22	University of California, Irvine	Irvine	California
23	University of Colorado Boulder	Boulder	Colorado
24	University of Arizona	Tucson	Arizona
25	Indiana University Bloomington	Bloomington	Indiana
26	Michigan State University	East Lansing	Michigan
27	University of Iowa	Iowa City	Iowa
28	University of Connecticut	Storrs	Connecticut
29	Virginia Tech	Blacksburg	Virginia
30	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	New Brunswick	New Jersey
31	University of South Carolina	Columbia	South Carolina
32	University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa	Alabama
33	North Carolina State University	Raleigh	North Carolina
34	University of Missouri	Columbia	Missouri
35	University of Tennessee	Knoxville	Tennessee
36	University of Utah	Salt Lake City	Utah
37	University of Oklahoma	Norman	Oklahoma
38	University of Kentucky	Lexington	Kentucky
39	Florida State University	Tallahassee	Florida
40	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	Lincoln	Nebraska

Top 100 Public Universities in the US: Part 3 (Ranks 41-60)

Rank	University Name	City	State
41	Arizona State University	Tempe	Arizona
42	University of California, Riverside	Riverside	California
43	University of Kansas	Lawrence	Kansas
44	University of Colorado Denver	Denver	Colorado
45	Iowa State University	Ames	Iowa
46	Clemson University	Clemson	South Carolina
47	University of New Mexico	Albuquerque	New Mexico
48	Oregon State University	Corvallis	Oregon
49	Colorado State University	Fort Collins	Colorado
50	Auburn University	Auburn	Alabama
51	University of Central Florida	Orlando	Florida
52	University of Houston	Houston	Texas
53	Washington State University	Pullman	Washington
54	University of Oregon	Eugene	Oregon
55	University of Illinois at Chicago	Chicago	Illinois
56	University of Arkansas	Fayetteville	Arkansas
57	University of Delaware	Newark	Delaware
58	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	Milwaukee	Wisconsin
59	Stony Brook University	Stony Brook	New York
60	Louisiana State University	Baton Rouge	Louisiana

Top 100 Public Universities in the US: Part 4 (Ranks 61-80)

Rank	University Name	City	State
61	San Diego State University	San Diego	California
62	University of South Florida	Tampa	Florida
63	Georgia State University	Atlanta	Georgia
64	University of Mississippi	Oxford	Mississippi
65	Temple University	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania
66	University of Maryland, Baltimore County	Baltimore	Maryland
67	University of Nevada, Reno	Reno	Nevada
68	University of North Texas	Denton	Texas
69	Kansas State University	Manhattan	Kansas
70	University of Vermont	Burlington	Vermont
71	Oklahoma State University	Stillwater	Oklahoma
72	University of Alabama at Birmingham	Birmingham	Alabama
73	West Virginia University	Morgantown	West Virginia
74	University of Wyoming	Laramie	Wyoming
75	University of Idaho	Moscow	Idaho
76	Boise State University	Boise	Idaho
77	University of Maine	Orono	Maine
78	Northern Arizona University	Flagstaff	Arizona
79	University of Akron	Akron	Ohio
80	Old Dominion University	Norfolk	Virginia

Top 100 Public Universities in the US: Part 5 (Ranks 81-100)

Rank	University Name	City	State
81	Montana State University	Bozeman	Montana
82	University of New Hampshire	Durham	New Hampshire
83	University of North Carolina at Charlotte	Charlotte	North Carolina
84	University of Rhode Island	Kingston	Rhode Island
85	New Mexico State University	Las Cruces	New Mexico
86	East Carolina University	Greenville	North Carolina
87	Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)	Indianapolis	Indiana
88	University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Las Vegas	Nevada
89	University of Texas at Arlington	Arlington	Texas
90	University of Texas at San Antonio	San Antonio	Texas
91	Florida International University	Miami	Florida
92	Ball State University	Muncie	Indiana
93	Colorado School of Mines	Golden	Colorado
94	Portland State University	Portland	Oregon
95	University of Colorado Colorado Springs	Colorado Springs	Colorado
96	University of Arkansas at Little Rock	Little Rock	Arkansas
97	University of Massachusetts Lowell	Lowell	Massachusetts
98	University of Montana	Missoula	Montana
99	University of Alaska Fairbanks	Fairbanks	Alaska
100	University of Wyoming	Laramie	Wyoming

The list above showcases the diversity and breadth of top-tier public universities across the United States. These institutions not only provide high-quality education but also serve as hubs for cutting-edge research and community engagement. For students seeking a blend of affordability and excellence, public universities offer a wide range of options across various disciplines.

Conclusion

Public universities in the United States offer an excellent opportunity for students to receive a world-class education at a more affordable price. With a variety of programs and campuses to choose from, these institutions are ideal for students seeking diverse academic and cultural experiences. Whether you are just starting your university search or are looking to transfer, the extensive range of public universities provides something for everyone.

FAQs on Top 100 Public Universities in the US

1. What makes a university “public”?

Public universities are primarily funded by state governments, which helps keep tuition costs lower, especially for in-state students.

2. How do public universities differ from private universities in the US?

Public universities tend to have larger student bodies, more varied academic programs, and are generally more affordable than private institutions, which are funded through tuition fees and private contributions.

3. What are the common admission requirements for public universities?

Admission requirements can vary widely but typically include a high school diploma, SAT or ACT scores, application essays, and letters of recommendation.

4. Are public universities in the US affordable for international students?

While tuition fees for international students are higher than for in-state students, many public universities offer scholarships and financial aid packages that can make them more affordable.

5. Which public university has the best research facilities?

Institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Michigan are renowned for their research facilities.

6. Can I transfer to a public university from a community college?

Yes, many public universities have articulation agreements with community colleges that make transferring credits smoother.

7. What are the benefits of attending a public university?

Benefits include lower tuition costs, a diverse student body, and a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.

8. Do public universities offer online programs?

Yes, many public universities offer online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

9. How does the size of a public university affect the student experience?

Larger universities may offer more majors, resources, and networking opportunities, but they can also feel impersonal. Smaller public universities may offer a more community-focused experience.