Top Public Colleges & Universities (2024 Rankings)

Getting the right bachelor's degree from a prestigious university can open many exciting (not to mention lucrative) job opportunities after graduation. But with so many options in America, how can you know you're choosing the right college?

If you're looking for help narrowing your higher education options, you've come to the right place. On this page, you'll learn about several top colleges and universities in 2024.

You'll walk away with a better idea of what to consider as you search for schools that might be the right fit.

10 top public colleges and universities in 2024

These schools made the list because they check all the boxes that matter to future college students like you, including high graduation rates, good faculty reputation, and plenty of scholarship opportunities.

However, many of these colleges and universities have low acceptance rates. They expect you to have high test scores, a strong GPA, and positive recommendations. But since you're reading this article, you're already a few steps ahead of the competition. Please note that this college ranking is in no particular order.

1. University of California, Berkeley

UC Berkeley is nearly 150 years old, and it's gotten pickier over time about which students it admits. Only 14% of applicants get in, but it still has over 30,000 undergraduate students. The four-year graduation rate is 79%, so enrollment here could give you a great chance at finishing a bachelor's in that timeframe.

UC Berkeley is a popular choice for students studying cellular or molecular biology. If you hated science classes in high school, you might be happier in their computer science or economics programs. You'll love how easy it is to get around campus on foot and could enjoy spending time in Oakland and San Francisco on the weekends.

2. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Does your blood run blue and yellow? If so, perhaps you should enroll at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and become a Wolverine, along with 32,282 undergrads.

One of the best parts about UM is that the average in-state student only pays just over $16,000 in tuition, which financial aid can help cover. However, only 20% of students get admitted, so put your best foot forward.

Students love the University of Michigan for its social environment and academic programs. Ann Arbor is an awesome college town with plenty of restaurants, shops, and things to do.

Not sure what to study? Many students become computer whizzes after studying in Michigan's computer and information sciences department. Others prepare to enter the business world with a degree in business administration or general economics.

3. University of Virginia, Charlottesville

The University of Virginia in Charlottesville recently celebrated its 200th anniversary. UVA is about half as large as the University of Michigan, with around 17,294 students enrolled each year, and it has a strong liberal arts program. If you're thinking about becoming a journalist, artist, graphic designer, or HR specialist after college, you'll get the skills and experience you need from your classes at UVA.

4. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

Want to live in the big city and get a tech degree from one of the best STEM universities in the country? Allow us to introduce you to Georgia Tech University.

Georgia Tech is in Atlanta, Georgia, and enrolls 17,461 undergraduate students each year. Given this school admits just 16% of applicants, it's a pretty exclusive bunch.

Most students are aspiring engineers, scientists, and IT professionals. The environment is professional, and the faculty often hires students for internships. Some Yellow Jackets even get offered a position at the school and start working immediately after graduation.

5. University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California at Los Angeles offers students an awesome environment and a chance to earn a top degree for a reasonable price. Most students spend around $13,258 in tuition each year.

Over 30,000 undergraduate students attend UCLA, and it receives more applicants than most other schools: as many as 100,000 new freshmen apply each year. However, only 11% of them are admitted.

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The honor of becoming a University of North Carolina Tar Heel is something that around 19,845 undergraduate students experience each year. The school only accepts 1 in 5 applicants, and new students quickly find that Chapel Hill is a fantastic college town. UNC's Morehead Planetarium was a training site for NASA astronauts, so this is a great school for astronomy and aerospace studies.

7. University of Florida, Gainesville

The University of Florida is a good option if you want to go to school in the Sunshine State. It's also a great choice for students wanting to study engineering, business management, or marketing.

Florida has not just one but two mascots: Albert and Alberta, two gators sharing mascot duties in Gainesville. They're one of the school's most important traditions.

In-state students only pay $6,381. The school also enrolls 30% of applicants each year, making it a less competitive option than many schools on this list.

8. University of Texas, Austin

With over 40,000 undergraduate students, the University of Texas at Austin is the largest school in the University of Texas system and one of the largest on this list. Students hope to follow in the footsteps of fellow Longhorns like Matthew McConaughey, Farrah Fawcett, and Kevin Durant.

This university has a great reputation for academics, a strong focus on research and teaching, and a fantastic location. Austin, Texas, is a lively city with an awesome art and music scene, delicious food, and beautiful parks and lakes to enjoy.

9. University of California, Santa Barbara

UC Santa Barbara isn't just a school for students looking to attend college right next to the beach (although we'd be kidding ourselves if we didn't acknowledge how big a draw that is). It also holds a spot in the prestigious Association of American Universities and is among the only intensive research universities on the list.

Its marine scientists also played a key role in developing the Ocean function on Google Earth, so make sure you say "thank you" if you've taken that electronic deep dive (pun intended).

10. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the second-oldest public school in Illinois and one of the original members of the Big Ten.

Illinois alumni have made some pretty cool contributions to the world, and perhaps you'll be next. The creators of products like Wrigley Gum, Tide, Kleenex, and Cascade were once Illinois students. So were Steve Chen and Jawed Karim, who founded YouTube.

With a generous acceptance rate of 60% and an average in-state cost of $15,442 per year, the University of Illinois could be an intriguing option for you. Also, you may recognize their campus from movies like "Risky Business" and "Kicking and Screaming."

Other top public universities to consider

If the schools above sound great to you, here are even more check out:

• Florida State University, Tallahassee
• Indiana University, Bloomington
• Montana State University, Bozeman
• North Carolina State University, Raleigh
• Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN
• University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
• University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
• University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
• University of Georgia, Athens
• University of Nebraska, Omaha
• University of Washington, Seattle
• University of Wisconsin, Madison

Public vs. private colleges: What's the difference?

Perhaps you've heard people talk about public and private universities. At first glance, you may think private schools are more exclusive or harder to get into. That's often true, but the main difference is where they get their money.

Yes, they'll take some of yours if you choose to attend. But, only public schools get money from the government, which allows them to admit in-state students at a lower tuition cost.

Private schools (including all eight in the Ivy League) don't get this government money. Instead, they get large donations from wealthy donors, including proud alums using the degrees they earned at that particular school. Because of this lack of government funding, these schools sometimes charge more for tuition.

What should you consider when choosing the best public college?

Now, it's time to narrow your choices and choose where you'll call home for the next four years. Don't worry; we haven't left you alone yet.

Before signing your letter of intent (or submitting your application), here are some things to consider.

Location

Where do you want to live while in school? What activities do you want nearby? How close do you want to be to your parents? Do you want your high school friends to be close enough that they can visit? Also, you might spend a lot less to attend an in-state school. Scholarships and grants can help but may not cover your entire cost.

Lastly, decide if you want to live in a large city like Austin or Seattle or if you'd rather experience college-town vibes. Chapel Hill, Ann Arbor, and Charlottesville aren't massive cities by most people's standards, which is exactly the scenario some college students want.

Size

If you go to a larger state university, you may find more opportunities for degrees and research. You'll also enjoy big-time athletic events, a larger Greek life, and a bigger student body. On the other hand, you may have closer relationships with faculty members at a smaller school with smaller class sizes - and you won't have to remember as many names. It all depends on the experience you prefer and what you want out of college.

Majors

If you know what you want to study, you can cross any choices off your list that don't have your program. You can also highlight schools with a reputation for quality programs in that field. For example, if you want to become an engineer, look for a school with a well-known and highly regarded engineering program.

If you're still thinking about what you want to do when you grow up, consider a school with plenty of potential options for majors and minors. Normally, a larger school has more degree programs to pick from than a smaller school.

You may also want to think about graduate programs. Even if you aren't interested today, it might be something you want to pursue in the future.

Academic quality

Each school has two or three standout programs. These are the programs that the school invests in more than others due to the faculty it has or the resources it can use.

If you want to learn more about a school's top programs, see if you can find which program has the most students. Learn as much as you can about the faculty in that program and what they've done so far in their careers. These are all strong clues about where a school is currently crushing it.

Campus amenities and housing

Most students stay in on-campus dorms or apartments for the first year or two. The quality of your dorm might depend on how much you're willing to pay, but it also depends on what the school has available.

Try to schedule an in-person visit before making a final decision about where you'll go to school. This is important for many reasons, but it's especially helpful if you want to see where you'll live while in school.

Easily compare the best colleges and universities with College Rover

Feeling overwhelmed by all the information you've just absorbed? Don't sweat it. It's a lot to take in, especially if you're busy with college applications and standardized tests like the ACT. Thankfully, choosing a college doesn't have to be a solo mission.

College Rover makes the process of choosing a school a little more awesome. You'll find way more information than we could fit in this article about each of the best public universities (plus hundreds more).

You can even pick multiple schools to compare or create a spreadsheet to share with family and friends. Take advantage of all the incredible resources we have to offer.

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.