When it comes to college rankings, Ivy League schools have a habit of hogging the spotlight. There's no denying that you'll get an incredible higher education at any of America's eight official Ivy League institutions: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania.
But in 1985, Richard Moll, who was then the Dean of Admissions at the University of California-Santa Cruz, decided it was time to give the nation's best public universities a chance to shine. So he set out to create a list of "Public Ivies," a set of eight public liberal arts colleges with the same academic rigor and selective acceptance rates as private Ivy League schools.
Throughout his search, Moll also looked for schools that offered exceptional faculties and campuses, without charging Stanford-level tuition rates. He then published the finalists in a book called Public Ivies: A Guide to America's Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities.
In this article, we'll give you the full scoop on Public Ivies, plus a list of options to choose from from different parts of the country (in no particular order). But first, here's a little more history about Public Ivy colleges.
The OG list of Public Ivies
Richard Moll's original list of Public Ivy institutions was capped at just eight elite colleges, plus a list of nine "runner-ups." The original eight included:
- College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA)
- Miami University (Oxford, OH)
- University of California (Berkeley, CA)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Vermont (Burlington)
- University of Virginia (Charlottesville)
But the list was not to remain set in stone. In 2001, Howard and Matthew Greene published another book called The Public Ivies: America's Flagship Public Universities. The book not only served as a nice refresher, but extended the list to include over 30 top American public colleges and universities.
Public Ivy vs. Ivy League schools
Unlike official Ivy League schools, there's not really an official list of public Ivy League schools. As you can see, the list is open to change and debate.
Public Ivy is more of an informal term used to describe universities where students can get a top-notch higher education without the Ivy League price tag. One thing that Greene's list did right, was to point out that there are exceptional universities throughout the country.
Whether you're from the Midwest, South, or Pacific Coast, you can get a stellar education without packing for any of the Ivy League schools of New England.
Tuition and financial aid
Public Ivy schools tend to offer lower tuition rates, especially for in-state students.
UC Berkeley's in-state tuition, for instance, runs just over $14,000 for in-state students, while out-of-state tuition costs around $44,000. Both are considerably cheaper than Harvard, a private Ivy League university that charges tuition rates of around $54,000 for both in-state and out-of-state students.
While some Ivy League Universities offer financial aid in the form of grants, work-study programs, or loans, they do not award scholarships based on merit or athletic ability. Public universities do offer state-funded scholarships, but may not cover as many costs as private universities.
The whole thing can get confusing pretty quickly, which is why it's always best to talk with the college admissions advisors of the schools you're interested in.
Academic excellence
Whether Public Ivies are just as good as their Ivy League counterparts largely depends on what type of experience you're looking for. Some private Ivy League schools tend to have lower admissions rates than their public counterparts in order to offer smaller class sizes.
Private schools like Brown, Dartmouth, and Princeton all have a student body of fewer than 10,000 students. Ivy League schools also often have impressive funding endowments - donations that allow them to focus on research or quality of education.
That said, some Public Ivies have even more impressive endowments than their Ivy League rivals. In 2020, the University of Texas system was rocking an endowment of over $30 billion, while the University of Michigan-Anne Arbor received just $12 billion.
Public Ivy schools
Here's a list of Public Ivy schools from different regions throughout the country (in no particular order) as an intro to some of the top colleges on the public American higher education scene. We also added links to other Public Ivies throughout the country to give you a list of top options.
University of North Carolina
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Fast Facts:
- In-state tuition: $8,980
- Out-of-state tuition: $36,159
- Acceptance rate: 25%
- Graduation rates: 85% (4-year), 91% (6-year)
Not only was UNC Chapel Hill America's first public university, but it was also the only public college in the U.S. that awarded degrees in the 18th century. Home to a diverse student body of around 30,000 students, the university offers an impressive collection of 78 bachelor's degrees, over 100 master's degrees, and 66 doctoral degrees.
Students of all levels enjoy plenty of great research opportunities, identity resources, and chances to study abroad. From arts and culture to student clubs and outdoor recreation, students are never at a loss for ways to get involved on campus.
University of California-Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, California
Fast Facts:
- In-State Tuition: $14,312
- Out-of-State Tuition: $44,066
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Graduation Rates: 76% (4-year), 92% (6-year)
The University of California-Berkeley was founded in 1868 after the California gold rush sparked a surge in the state's population. Today, the campus boasts a total student enrollment of around 42,000 and 26 Nobel Prize winning faculty members.
UC-Berkeley offers over 300 degree programs in everything from Aerospace and English to Sustainable Environmental Design. The university offers excellent research opportunities and an endless array of campus events and organizations that make for a vibrant student life.
University of Michigan
Location: Ann-Arbor, Michigan
Fast Facts:
- In-State Tuition: $15,948
- Out-of-State Tuition: $52,266
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Graduation Rates: 81% (4-year), 93% (6-year)
With a student body of over 47,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the University of Michigan (UM) has earned a reputation as a top public research university. Students enjoy a choice of over 275 degree options, including top-notch medical programs.
UM also offers incredible research opportunities in fields like Engineering, Science, and Humanities. It's home to the Wolverines, a collection of 29 NCAA Division I teams that boast over 400 Big Ten athletics championships.
University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Fast Facts:
- In-State Tuition: $6,381
- Out-of-State Tuition: $28,659
- Acceptance Rate: 31%
- Graduation Rates: 67% (4-year), 89% (6-year)
If you're looking for a top-tier education that won't break the bank, then check out the University of Florida (UF). Not only is UF one of the most affordable Public Ivies, but it's got plenty to offer in terms of academics.
With a large student body of over 50,000, UF offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in pretty much any subject you can think of! Whether you're into research, Greek life, or joining one of the university's renowned Gators sports teams, the University of Florida has something for every student.
William & Mary
Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
Fast Facts:
- In-State Tuition: $23,628
- Out-of-State Tuition: $46,854
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Graduation Rates: 85% (4-year), 91% (6-year)
If you're looking for a college with a smaller campus, then check out William & Mary, which is home to less than 9,000 students. Chartered in 1693, William & Mary sprawls along a beautiful campus that's considered a national historic landmark.
Students enjoy a solid 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a choice of over 115 undergraduate majors and minors and 45 graduate programs. Take advantage of great internship and study abroad opportunities or get involved with one of over 475 student clubs and organizations.
Other Public Ivies to consider
There are many more Public Ivies you might want to consider. As you weigh your options, don't forget to take a look at these:
- University of Virginia - Charlottesville, Virginia
- University of Vermont - Burlington, Vermont
- University of Washington - Seattle, Washington
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of Colorado - Boulder, Colorado
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, Wisconsin
- Ohio State University - Columbus, Ohio
- Miami University - Oxford, Ohio
- Indiana University - Bloomington, Indiana
- University of Texas - Austin, Texas
- University of Illinois - Champaign, Illinois
- Binghamton University - Binghamton, New York
- Rutgers University - New Brunswick, New Jersey
Find the most prestigious universities on College Rover
Whether you're interested in attending a Public Ivy college or are looking for a whole different type of university altogether, be sure to check out our College Rover search tools. Find the perfect college for you based on your own unique set of filters or research your top choices with a side-by-side comparison.
We've got all the tools you need to help make your hunt for the perfect college a whole lot easier. So toss that massive stack of brochures and check out the best universities in the country, all from one easy dashboard.
College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.
