Best Public Universities in the US

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Public Universities are universities that are primarily funded by the government. Public universities in the United States are larger than private universities and colleges and offer a wider range of majors. 

Best Public Universities in the US

The Best Public Universities in the US are the universities that rank highest based on their teaching, research facilities, citations, industry income, and other criteria.

These universities are only ranked in the US, and they could be outmatched by other universities worldwide. Also, university rankings change every year. But, knowing the best public universities in the US will be useful in choosing a university to study in. 

Top Public Universities In The US

1. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor:

Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan has been around for over two centuries. Its campus is located in Ann Arbor, West of Detroit, United States, and is among the largest universities in the country and has an 85.4 percent research rating. Some facts about the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor include:

  • It is the number 1 public university in the US and stands at the 24th in World University Ranking.
  • It offers 250 first degree programs, about 200 master’s degree options, and over 100 doctorate degree options. Its programs range across the following fields:
  • The Physical Sciences
  • Social sciences
  •  Business & Economics
  • Education
  • Arts & Humanities
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Computer Science
  • Life Sciences
  •  Clinal, Pre-clinical & health
  • Psychology
  • Their sports team, The Michigan Wolverines, has won over 50 national championships across 12 sports.
  • Its alumni earn an average salary of $60,300 after ten years.
  • The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor possesses alumni, including Larry Page, a co-founder of Google, and successful actor James Earl Jones.

2. The University of California,(UCLA) Los Angeles:

The UCLA is an ideal choice for any scholar. It offers a tight community that will help students connect and find friends in no time. The University of California, Los Angeles, has some of the world’s leading research centers and institutes. It has a research rating of 89.8%. Some important facts about the UCLA are:

  • It is ranked as the #2 public university in the US, and the 20th in the World University rankings
  • It offers 230 undergraduate and graduate majors across fields such as:
  • Humanities & Arts
  • Economics and Business
  • Social sciences
  • The Physical Sciences and Life Sciences
  • Clinal, pre-clinical, and health, including Psychology
  • Computers and Information Systems
  • Education
  • Engineering andTechnology
  • Law
  • Its alumni earn an average salary of $59,667 after ten years.
  • The sense of community at the UCLA is expressed in their passion for Community service; the university’s volunteer center boasts of over 220 student groups, which bring over 8,000 volunteers annually.
  • Due to their emphasis on research projects, all graduates of the UCLA graduate with research experience no matter their discipline.

3. UNC

The UNC, which stands for the (public) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, became the premier public institution in the United States. It is also one of the original eight Public Ivy League schools. It is located at Country Club Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, and is spread over 700 acres. It is so big that it is split into three campuses(north, south, and middle). Some notable facts about the University of North Carolina include: 

  • It is ranked the 3rd best public university in the US and is the 52nd in the World University Rankings. 
  • It offers 78 undergraduate degree programs, 112 master’s degrees, 68 doctorate degree programs, and seven professional degree programs. Its programs cut across fields such as:
  • The Physical Sciences
  • Education
  • Arts & Humanities
  • Life Sciences
  • Social sciences
  • Business & Economics
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Clinal, Pre-clinical & health
  • Law
  • Computer Science
  • Psychology
  • Its alumni earn an average salary of $53,567 after ten years.
  • It has 325 study-abroad programs in about 70 countries. Hence, about one-third of its undergraduates study in other countries before graduating.
  • The University of North Carolina has alumni, including Thomas Wolfe, two Nobel Laureates in Aziz Sancaro(Chemistry) and Olivier Smithies(Physiology/Medicine), and successful actor James Earl Jones.

4. University of California, Berkeley:

Founded in 1868, the UCB has grown to be a source of prestige and honor for the United States. This public university is in the Bay region of San Francisco. Almost 40,000 students live in its vast area. Some more notable facts about the University of California, Berkeley include: 

  • It is ranked as the #4 public university in the US and eighth in the World University rankings
  • The UCB has successful sports teams; at the 2012 Olympics in London, its graduates won 11 gold medals, seven silver medals, and five bronze medals. Its 60,000-capacity California Memorial Stadium is home to its sports teams.
  • The Berkeley faculty have bagged 19 Nobel prizes across fields such as Physics, Chemistry, and Economics.
  • Its alumni earn an average salary of $62,433 after ten years.
  • Also, the UCB boasts of some of the most successful alumni, including authors like Joan Didion and Jack London, Oscar-award winner Gregory Peck, ex-Prime Minister and President of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and  Women’s world cup-winning US footballer Alex Morgan.

5. University of California, Davis:

This University was founded in 1908 and has since grown to be a hub of true American values such s creativity, unity, and equity. Its 5,300-acre campus is home to about 38,000 students. The University borders vibrant and famous cities like Davis and Sacramento, where students and tourists can have a good time. Some other facts about the UCD include: 

  • It is ranked as the #5 public university in the US, and 67h in the World University rankings
  • It offers 104 undergraduate degree programs and 96 graduate and professional degrees across the following fields:
  • The Physical Sciences
  • Education
  • Arts & Humanities
  • Life Sciences
  • Social sciences
  • Business & Economics
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Clinal, Pre-clinical & health
  • Law
  • Computer Science
  • Psychology
  • One of the top 50 hospitals in the country is the University’s Medical Center in Sacramento.
  • Its alumni earn an average salary of $56,967 after ten years.
  • Through its research sponsorships, the UC Davis garners about $850 million annually and contributes over $8 billion per year to the California economy.

6. The UN San Diego, The University of California, San Diego

The UN San Diego, The University of California, San Diego, is a public college that opened in 1960. It is situated in the community of La Jolla, San  Diego, United States. The UC San Diego is a notable contributor to research activities. In fact, it is home to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which is the largest marine and geological science institute in the world. Here are some more facts about the UCSD:

  • It is ranked as the #6 public university in the US, and 34th in the World University rankings
  • It features six undergraduate schools, three graduate colleges, and two medical centers.
  • Its alumni earn an average salary of $59,167 after ten years.
  • Through public funding, the UC San Diego has developed numerous research institutes which have generated about 30,000 jobs and launched over 600 new companies. It has a research rating of 75.6%
  • The UCSD boasts over 170,000 graduates and faculty members and more than 15 Nobel Laureates.

7. The prestigious University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

The prestigious University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, is one of the oldest public universities in Illinois. It was founded in 1867. This public university gets its name from the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, which together have about 207,000 people living in them. The university’s 4,500-acre campus offers room for many buildings and communities. Here are some more facts about the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:

  • It is ranked as the #7 public university in the US and 48th in the World University rankings
  • It comprises of 17 colleges that offer up to 150 different study programs.
  • Some university graduates have bagged 11 Nobel prizes, while 18 others are Pulitzer Prize winners.
  • Its alumni earn an average salary of $58,567 after ten years.
  • The university has a performing arts center, the Krannert Center, which has four theatres and a capacity of 4000. Every year, about 350 shows are put on at this center.

8. University of Washington Seattle:

This public University was founded in 1861 and had a campus size of 634 acres. It is situated north of downtown Seattle and was one of the first state universities on the West Coast. Some more facts about the University of Washington include:

  • It is ranked as the #8 public university in the US, and 45h in the US College rankings
  • Some of the most popular majors at the University of Washington include: 
  • Social Sciences
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Tech & Engineering
  • Computing and data sciences, as well as services to support them
  • Solutions related to business management, marketing, and other areas
  • Health Sciences and Medicine
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Psychology
  • Physical Sciences
  • Arts and Humanities.
  • The University of Washington receives about 35000 enrollments annually.
  • It has schools and colleges with high rankings, like the Michael G. Foster School of Business, its School of Medicine and the College of Engineering.
  • Its alumni earn a median salary of $59,100 after ten years.

9. United States Military Academy:

This public institution is also called West Point. It is located in West Point, Orange County, New York. It was established in about 1801 during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. At that time, the majority of the infrastructure work in the US was commissioned by graduates of the US Military Academy. 

  • It is ranked as the #9 public university in the US, and 47h in the US College rankings
  • The UCMA offers full-time and four-year undergraduate degree programs cutting across fields such as arts, sciences, and economics.
  • The university has quality sports facilities and sports traditions. Hence, all students will gain a balance of academic, military leadership, and physical performance.
  • Longtime US President Dwight Eisenhower, Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, US Army veteran George Armstrong Custer (during the American Civil War), and former Secretary of State Alexander Haig are all alumni of the university.

10. Purdue University West Lafayette:

This University was founded in 1869 and is located in the small but densely populated city of West Lafayette, Indiana. The university is well-known for its competitive engineering program and has been influential on aviation in the United States. The university houses over 400 research labs, including the most recent Purdue Research Park, which enables researchers to work with businesses and industries.

 Other interesting things about the university are:

  • It is ranked as the #10 public university in the United States, and 105h in the World University rankings
  • It features 13 colleges and schools that offer over 200 undergraduate degree majors and 70 postgraduate and vocational degrees across the following fields:
  • Physical Sciences
  • Life Sciences
  • Social sciences
  • Business & Economics
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Computer Science
  • Some Purdue Scientists have won Nobel Prizes; they include Herbert C.Brown in 1979(Chemistry), Ei-ichi Negishi in 2010(Chemistry), and a collaborative work of Otto Doering with Kevin Gurney in 2007 for Climate Change research.
  • Twenty-three graduates of Purdue have all become astronauts, including Eugene Cernan, the last person to walk on the moon, and Neil Armstrong, who was the first man on the moon, and 
  • Its alumni earn an average salary of $54,800 after ten years.

Conclusion

These public universities in the US offer world-class facilities and have produced some of the finest citizens. Hence, studying at any of these universities will guarantee a competitive salary and an improved skill set. 

FAQ
  • How can I apply to study at a public university in the US?

If you meet the particular requirements, it’s easy to get into any of these universities. You could get your documents together and apply on the university’s website. You might need transcripts, a personal statement, a letter of recommendation, a resume, and a few other documents.

  • How do I know the right university to choose?

Once you decide on the program you wish to major in; you should begin searching for universities that will help you achieve your dreams. There is no one-size-fits-all university. You will have to choose the best university that will maximize and add to your skills and knowledge.

  • How much do Public Universities in the United States cost? 

Tuition fees vary. Typically residents could pay up to US$10,000 yearly, while international students may pay up to US$25,000 per year. Also, tuition fees do not cover living costs, feeding, utility transportation, and accommodation costs. All these extra costs are important and should be budgeted for.