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List of Top Universities in the USA
Know all about the top public universities in the USA
The United States has always been a dream destination for many students worldwide. A degree from the famed public universities of the USA increases the weightage of one’s resume, opening doors to lucrative career opportunities. The holistic approach to education with equal emphasis on academia and research at the USA's public universities brings out students' hidden potential and sharpens their skills and intellect.
This blog aims at enlightening you about the top public universities in case you are considering higher education options in the USA.
What is a Public University in the USA?
A public university refers to a college or institution that is either owned by the state government or receives sufficient funding or public subsidies from the national or state government. This is the primary difference between public universities in the USA and private ones. In the US, most public colleges and universities are founded and owned/operated by state government bodies. In fact, among the total number of universities in the USA, there is at least one public university in each state.
Top 10 Public Universities in the USA
Several state universities in the USA offer both Bachelors and Masters study programs to students who aspire to study in the country. In order to assist you in making a well-informed decision, we have compiled a list of the top public universities in the USA according to the QS World University Rankings and THE World University Rankings 2023.
Public University | Rank as per | Ranked According to | Next Intake |
University of California, Los Angeles | 44 | 21 | August |
University of Michigan | 25 | 23 | January |
University of Washington | 80 | 26 | September |
University of Virginia | 253 | 156 | November/January |
University of Florida | 188 | 151 | August |
University of California, Santa Barbara | 149 | 64 | October-November |
University of California, San Diego | 53 | 32 | August |
The University of Texas at Austin | 72 | 50 | November/March |
Georgia Institute of Technology | 88 | 38 | November/January |
University of North Carolina at Chapel | 102 | 69 | October |
Eligibility Criteria for Top Public Universities in the USA
The eligibility criteria for top public universities in the USA vary depending on the institution.
To be considered for a degree program, it is important to have a strong academic background and meet the necessary educational requirements for the chosen program.
In the US, many universities recognize SAT scores for undergraduate admissions and may require GMAT or GRE scores for graduate programs. Additionally, demonstrating proficiency in English through exams such as TOEFL-IBT, IELTS or PTE is often required by US universities.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in the USA
In the United States, public universities are commonly chosen over private universities/colleges due to their lower tuition costs. To cite an example, the average tuition fee at a ranked private college in the US for the academic year 2022-23 costs nearly USD 39,700 (approx.), as compared to only USD 26,200 (roughly) at a public university in the country. Most public universities in the country may offer courses in the range of somewhere between USD 41,950 and USD 49,900 approximately.
Top Public Universities in the USA for MS
Several public universities in the US offer several MS specializations to international students who are interested in pursuing a Masters in the field of their choice. Here are 3 well-renowned public universities in the USA for MS that are worth considering:
Public University for MS | Rank as per | Ranked According to | Next Intake |
University of California, Berkeley | 27 | 8 | December |
Dakota State University | - | 1001-1200 | November |
Kent State University | - | 501-600 | October |
Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking#!/page/7/length/25/locations/USA/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats
https://yocket.com/blog/public-universities-in-usa-for-ms
Want more guidance on which public college or university to study at in the US this year? Allow IDP’s International Education experts to assist you in making the most critical decision of your career with ease.
Frequently Answered Questions
1. Are public universities in the USA free?
Public universities in the US are relatively cheaper than private universities. Some also offer free courses to the students. However, these are few.
2. How many public universities are there in the USA?
There are a total of 5,300 educational institutions in the US, out of which 1,626 are public colleges, 1,687 are private, not-for-profit institutes, and 985 are private schools running for profit.
3. What does a public university mean in the USA?
A public university is essentially run and funded by the state government. The tuition fee at these universities is relatively much lesser than that charged by private colleges since a public university operates as per rules and regulations laid out by the state government.
4. What is the cheapest public university in the USA?
There are many public universities in the country offering courses for relatively cheap. Among them, the one that charges the lowest fee is CUNY or City College of New York, which also ranks at the top position for being the most affordable university in the state, according to research conducted by TheBestSchools.org. The average tuition fee at the college is USD 2,385.
5. Is the USA expensive for international students?
The average cost of living in the US for international students is estimated to be roughly USD 10,000 to USD 18,000 per annum, or USD 1,000-USD 1,500 per month.
6. Is a public university in the USA better than a private one?
It is difficult to state whether a public university is better than a private college in the US because each has its strengths and differences in various aspects. For instance, public universities are relatively less costly than private ones regarding course tuition fees. Similarly, private colleges are generally reputed for offering better academic research options than public colleges. It is, therefore, advisable to look into the differences between the two when choosing a university for your specific study abroad program in the US.
7. How much does studying in the USA cost?
On average, the rough estimate of the cost of pursuing a Bachelors in the US is around USD 8,000-USD 40,000 per annum. As for a Masters course in the US, Indian students are estimated to pay an average tuition fee of approximately USD 10,000 to USD 60,000 per year.
8. Which visa is best for USA study?
F1 Student Visa is the most common and popular type of visa for students who wish to pursue a course in the US involving 18+ hours of study per week. This visa is required for both Bachelors or Undergraduate courses in the US and Postgraduate programs such as MBA or MS (Masters).