List of Top Public universities in the USA 2025-2026

• Research Focus:

  A leading research university with significant funding and numerous funded research projects. 

• Professional Schools:

  Home to 12 highly ranked professional schools in fields like arts, education, law, and medicine. 

• Faculty:

  Recognized for its distinguished faculty, including Nobel laureates and other award recipients. 

• Enrollment:

  In Fall 2023, UCLA had 32,423 undergraduate students and 14,007 graduate students. 

• Mission:

  The university’s mission is to create, disseminate, preserve, and apply knowledge. 

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• Academic Structure:

  The university is divided into 14 colleges and schools, including highly ranked departments like the Haas School of Business, College of Engineering, and School of Law.
• Undergraduate Enrollment:

  As of Fall 2023, UC Berkeley had an undergraduate enrollment of 33,405 students. 

• National Universities:

  UC Berkeley is consistently ranked among the top national universities in the United States, with its 2025 ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges being #17. 

• Global Rankings:

  It also holds a high position in global university rankings, including a world ranking of #10 according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. 

• Fundraising Record:

  In recent years, UC Berkeley has set fundraising records, with over $1 billion in gifts and pledges received in the 2020 fiscal year and over $1.2 billion two years later. 

• Financial Aid: UC Berkeley provides financial aid to students of all means, including Pell Grant recipients. 

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• Type: Public research university.          Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.           Founded: 1817.
• Enrollment: Approximately 52,000 students (fall 2023).
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,730 (fall 2023).
• Academic Calendar: Trimester-based.
• Ranking: #21 in National Universities (2025 edition).
• Tuition (In-state): $18,848.
• Tuition (Out-of-state): $63,081.
• Research Expenditures: Record $1.71 billion in fiscal year 2022.
• Notable Features:
  • One of the earliest American research universities.
  • Founding member of the Association of American Universities.
  • Comprehensive graduate program.
  • Over 1,600 clubs and societies.
  • Large student body.
  • Extensive library system with over 8 million volumes.
  • Numerous research museums.
  • Diverse and inclusive campus.
  • Vibrant Ann Arbor community.
  • Strong athletic tradition with the Michigan Wolverines. 

• The University of Michigan moved from Detroit to Ann Arbor in 1837. It was among the first colleges to admit women (1870) and African Americans (1868). The University is known for its strong commitment to research, teaching, and service. To Apply,Click Here.

• Founding: 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. 
• Location: Charlottesville, Virginia. 
• Rankings: Consistently ranked among the top national universities, including #24 in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, and the top public university in Virginia. 
• Enrollment: Fall 2023 had approximately 17,000 undergraduate students and 8,300 graduate and professional students. 
• Academic Offerings: Offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in various fields, including data science, education, law, medicine, nursing, and architecture, among others. 
• Research Focus: A strong research university, with numerous cross-disciplinary initiatives and significant investment in research. 
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• Founded in 1789, UNC-Chapel Hill was the first public university in the nation to open its doors to students in 1795.
• It was chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly. 
  Academics:

• Offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs. 
• Has a strong commitment to research, being classified as an “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity”. 
• Is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). 
  Research:

• The university is a leader in research, with significant research and development expenditures.
• It is one of the three corners of the North Carolina Research Triangle, along with North Carolina State University and Duke University. 
  Athletics:

• The university’s athletic teams, known as the Tar Heels, compete in 28 intercollegiate sports.
• They are charter members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). 

• The university is ranked among the top public universities in the United States. 
• It is known for its strong academic reputation and commitment to public service. It  is is considered one of the wealthiest public academic institutions in the US.

• Location: La Jolla, San Diego, California. 
• Undergraduate Enrollment: Approximately 33,096. 
• Graduate Enrollment: Approximately 9,872. 
• Academic Structure: Six undergraduate residential colleges, five academic divisions (arts and humanities, biological sciences, engineering, physical sciences, social sciences), and five graduate and professional schools. 
• Research Focus: A major research university with significant funding and a focus on multidisciplinary collaboration. 
• Notable Institutions: Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the UC San Diego Health System. 
• Rankings: Consistently ranked among the top public universities in the US and the world.
• Acceptance Rate: Approximately 25%, indicating a selective admission process.

• Tuition: In-state tuition and fees are $16,815; out-of-state tuition and fees are $51,015. 
• Calendar: Utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. 

• Location: Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. 
• Academic Offerings: Offers over 150 majors in 11 academic communities. 
• Research: A prominent research university with over 175 research programs and centers. 
• Rankings: Consistently ranked among the top universities in the US and internationally. 
• Legacy: A land-grant institution established to provide education to the working class, with a focus on agricultural, scientific, military, and technical studies. 
• Acceptance Rate: Approximately 42%. 
• Tuition: In-state tuition and fees are $17,640; out-of-state tuition and fees are $36,760. 

• Founding: 1861.     Campuses: Seattle (largest), Bothell, Tacoma.
• Enrollment: Over 60,000 students across all campuses.
• Academics: Offers over 300 separate programs and over 600 degree options.
• Research: A major research center, attracting more federal research grants than any other public school in the U.S.
• Rankings: Consistently ranked among the top universities in the world and U.S. public institutions.
• Notable Faculty: Includes seven Nobel Prize winners and 17 MacArthur Fellows.
• Location: The Seattle campus is located in the heart of Seattle, a vibrant and multicultural city. 

• The UW has a long history, beginning as the state’s first university. 
• The university has been a center for innovation, with inventions like bubblegum, vinyl, and synthetic rubber originating on campus. 
• The UW offers various financial aid opportunities, including Pell Grants and the Husky Promise program. 
• The university is committed to diversity and inclusion, attracting a diverse faculty and student body. 
• The UW is actively involved in the community, partnering with local organizations and businesses. 

• Location: Madison, Wisconsin.      Founded: 1848.
• Enrollment: Approximately 48,000 students (including international students).
• Chancellor: Jennifer L. Mnookin.
• Budget: $4.0 billion.
• Research Expenditure: Ranked 6th nationally in 2023.
• Tuition: In-state tuition is $11,603, out-of-state is $42,103.
• Rankings: Consistently ranked among the top public research universities in the U.S. and globally. 

• Offers a wide array of academic programs, including 136 undergraduate majors, 148 master’s degree programs, and 120 doctoral programs. 
• Known for its strong programs in economics, business, computer science, and engineering. 

• A major research university with a significant budget allocated to research. 
• Conducts research across various disciplines, from the humanities to the hard sciences. 
• Has a strong history of groundbreaking discoveries, including the discovery of vitamins and embryonic stem cell research. 

• One of the founding members of the Association of American Universities. 
• Recognized as a “Public Ivy”. 
• Has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, including efforts to acknowledge and address its history. 
• Recognizes the inherent sovereignty of the Ho-Chunk Nation and other First Nations of Wisconsin. 

• Founding: 1883
• Enrollment: Over 51,000 students
• Academics: Offers programs across 19 colleges and schools
• Research: A leading research university in Texas, attracting over $650 million annually for research
• Location: Austin, Texas
• Ranking: Ranked among the top 40 universities in the world
• Notable Alumni: Includes former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson