Top 20 Best Public Universities In US

• Ranking: 1
• Ratings: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 11%

The University of California, Los Angeles( UCLA) is the number 1 rated public university that was founded in 1919. It is also a large university with 31,485 undergraduate students. Getting admission to this university is quite tough. Some of the popular majors include Economics, Sociology, Political Science, and government.

The tuition fees for the inside state students cost $13,804 while it costs $44,830 for out-of-state. This university uses a quarter-oriented academic calendar. The university offers a competitive environment to the students and as per the reviews by the students on the university website.

• Ranking: 1
• Ratings: 3.5 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 15%

Another top-ranked public university is Berkley University of California which was founded in 1868. The university is situated in a city area with more than 32,150 undergraduate enrollments. The university follows a semester-oriented academic calendar.

Admission is competitive with minimum 3.89 GPA requirement. There are 14 schools and colleges affiliated to this university. With more than 1,000 student organizations, Berkley is known as the center of liberal student activism. Popular majors include Social Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences, Engineering, and many others.

• Ranking: 3
• Ratings: 3.94 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 20%

Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has an undergraduate enrollment of more than 33,000 and is located in the city area. Trimester-based academic calendar is followed at this university. Students who live within the state are entitled to pay $17,786 in tuition and fees, whereas it is $57,273 for those who stay outside the state.

There are more than 1,500 student organizations with sports being one of the popular activities. Michigan provides top-ranked education with popular schools of Law, Business, Engineering, Medical, and Dentistry. Popular majors include Mechanical engineering, Behavioral Neuroscience, Economics, and others.

• Ranking: 3
• Rating: 3.9 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 21%

This university was founded in 1819 and is located in Charlottesville. The university falls in a suburban setting and follows a semester-based academic calendar. It charges $21,381 in tuition fees for in-state and $56,837 for out-state. Popular graduate programs include the Darden Graduate School of Business, School of Medicine, School of Law, Curry School of Education, and others.

Notable alumni include U.S. former Senator Edward Kennedy, journalist Katie Couric, and Tiki Barber, former NFL player. Popular majors of this university are Economics, Humanities, economics, Management Sciences, and others.

• Ranking: 5th
• Rating: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 30%

The University of Florida was founded in 1853 and is located in Gainesville, Florida. The university is based in the suburban area and a semester-based academic calendar is followed here. In order to get admission here, you need a minimum 3.9 GPA in high school.

Some popular majors include Engineering, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Health Professions and Related Programs. The university has 121+ sports teams, 34 fraternities, and 28 sororities. Overall, the student organizations, facilities for students, and diversity of courses available make it an incredible public university.

• Ranking: 5th
• Rating: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 19%

The University of North Carolina is one of the oldest public universities founded in 1789 and situated at Chapel Hill. This university also follows a semester-based academic calendar and is located in a suburban area. The tuition and fees for in-state are $8,998 and for out-of-state it is $37,558. The minimum GPA required of 2.0 must be followed for admission.

Some of the popular majors are Social Sciences, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs. Also known as UNC, many student activities are offered by the university. UNC is divided into numerous schools and colleges, the largest one among all is the College of Arts and Science.

• Ranking: 7th
• Ratings: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 29%

Santa Barbara University of California was founded in 1909. It resides in a suburban area from where the Pacific Ocean is visible. A quarter-based academic calendar is followed and an average high school GPA is required to get admission.

There are more than 400 clubs and organizations, including a Greek community where students can enjoy their extracurricular activities. Also known as UCSB, the university is divided into five schools and colleges, the largest being the College of Letters and Science. Popular majors include Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics and Statics, and many others.

• Ranking: 8th
• Ratings: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 29%

 It is the 8th top public university in the United States founded in 1965. It is a research university in Orange County that focuses on areas including cancer and neuroscience studies. A quarter-based academic calendar is followed here. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to get admission here.

Apart from other courses, graduate programs are mostly recommended with diverse specialties offered at the Paul Merage School of Business and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering. Located just 5 miles away from the Pacific Ocean, over 500 student organizations and almost 50 fraternities and sororities are available.

• Ranking: 8th
• Ratings: 3.5 stars
• Acceptance rate: 34%

This public university was founded in 1960 and is located alongside the Pacific Ocean. The setting is urban and a quarter-based academic calendar is followed. The university is divided into six undergraduate colleges, five divisions, and another five professional schools. The minimum GPA requirement is 3.9. In-state tuition and fees are $15,348 and out-of-state is $46,374.

The UCSD Tritons is a popular sports team of this university that participates in more than 20 NCAA Division II sports, especially in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Popular majors are Cognitive science, General, Computer Science, Anatomy, International Studies, and others.

• Ranking: 10th
• Ratings: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 49%

This university was founded in 1905 and is situated in the city of Davis, California. A quarter-based calendar is followed here. Situated in the city area, the cost of tuition and fees for in-state are $14,740 and $44,494 for out-of-state. More than 700 student organizations, a Greek community with 65 fraternities and sororities makes it one of the best public university in the USA.

You require a minimum 2.40 GPA to get admission here. The university is filled with diverse nationalities and the university offers an exceptional and supportive environment for fostering growth and success among its students.

• Rankings: 10th
• Ratings: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 29%

It is one of the largest universities in the country founded in 1883. It is divided into 13 schools and colleges, the largest one being the College of Liberal Arts. Situated in an urban setting, the university follows a semester-based academic calendar.

If you have a 3.8 GPA, you might have a possible chance of getting into this university. Popular majors include Engineering, Communication, Journalism, Biological and Biomedical, and many others. It offers 170 areas of study around 18 colleges and schools. The university supports its students through scholarships, success programs, 15 career centers, and 1,300 student organizations.

• Rankings: 10th
• Ratings: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 60%

With a minimum 3.9 high school GPA you can get admission to this top public university. Founded in 1848, the university lies alongside the southern shore of Lake Mendota in Madison. the university follows a semester-based academic calendar. The Wisconsin Badgers participate in over 20 NCAA Division I sports. Students can indulge in almost 900 organizations available at the university.

The in-state tuition and fees are $10,796 and $39,427 for out-of-state. The university has received a lot of positive reviews from the students and is known to have a better academic environment along with a competitive sports spirit.

• Ranking: 13th
• Ratings: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 60%

The university was founded in 1867 and is situated in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in the east-central part of Illinois. With 15 colleges and schools, the School of Information Sciences, College of Engineering, and Department of Psychology are the popular schools of this university.

With a 3.83 high school GPA, you can easily get into this university. Popular majors include Engineering, Social Sciences, Psychology, Communication, Journalism, and Related programs. The university is known for its highest level of research activity and is one of the first to provide disability-friendly facilities and other services in the university.

• Ranking: 13th
• Ratings: 3.5 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 37%

Founded in 1693 and located in Williamsburg, Virginia, William & Mary is the second oldest university in the US. It was founded by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. This public research university is widely recognized for its exceptional academic status, vibrant society, and beautiful university.

Also known as W&M, the university offers more than 115 majors, other regulars, and professional programs. The university follows a semester-based academic calendar. 3.9 is the minimum high school GPA required to get admission here.

• Rankings: 15th
• Ratings: 4th
• Acceptance Rate: 18%

Georgia Institute of Technology is a popular technological and scientific research-based university founded in 1885. The university has six colleges and the most popular one includes the College of Engineering and Scheller College of Business. With a 3.9 GPA, you might have a better chance to get admission here.

The university is forward in research and it conducts many government and industry research. A semester-based academic calendar is followed. Apart from education, the students are ahead in curriculum activities. The Georgia Yellow Jacket is a popular sports team of the university that competes in NCAA Division I.

• Rankings: 16th
• Ratings: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 57%

Ohio University was founded in 1870 and is located in an urban setting. The university follows a semester-based model. The university has over 200 undergraduate majors and personalized study programs to offer. Some of the high-ranked schools are the College of Education and Human Ecology and the College of Medicine.

There are more than 1,00 clubs and organizations with 60 fraternities and sororities for the students. The Ohio State University Buckeyes compete in the NCAA Division I. Popular majors include Finance, Psychology, Speech Communication and Rhetoric, and others. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for admission to this university.

• Ranking: 16th
• Ratings: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 40%

Founded in 1785, the University of Georgia is the first public university in America. The University is known for its student communities. More than 700 student clubs, with 60 Greek community include almost 1/4th of the student population.

The graduate programs in the College of Education and Law School are highly recognized. Being both a land and sea grant university, it indulges in research and development of agriculture as well as sea-based activities. popular majors include Biology, Finance, and Psychology.

• Ratings: 18th
• Ranking: 4 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 69%

Purdue is one of the largest universities founded in 1869 and situated in Wabash Township, Indiana. The campus located in West Lafayette is the main campus of this university. Apart from that there are other four campuses scattered throughout the state. The university adopts a semester-based model and accepts students with a 3.7 GPA or above.

Popular majors of this university are Engineering, Computer and Information Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Health Professions. The in-state tuition and fees are $9,992 and $28,794 for out-of-state students. Purdue is divided into 13 schools and colleges.

• Ranking: 19th
• Rating: 3.5 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 68%

Popularly known as The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers is a leading public land-grant university. It was founded in 1766 and follows a semester-based academic calendar. The New Brunswick, main campus is divided into five small campuses, each of them with a distinct personality.

Students can join more than 500 student clubs and organizations, including 80 fraternities and sororities. The School of Education is the most popular graduate school of this university. An average 3.73 GPA is required for admission here. Some popular majors are Psychology, Information Science, and Economics.

• Ranking: 19th
• Ratings: 3.7 stars
• Acceptance Rate: 52%

Founded in 1856, the university is situated between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The students are offered a suburban setting with the semester-based model. There are over 800 student organizations, 60 fraternities and sororities available. The university lies close to the nation's capital.

The in-state tuition and fees cost $11,233 whereas it costs $39,469 for out-of-state students. School of Education, A. James Clark School of Engineering, and Robert H. Smith School of Business are the popularly ranked schools of this university. The minimum GPA required for admission is 3.9.