Public universities in the United States are a popular option for students seeking an affordable education. These schools often have larger student bodies and offer a variety of majors at lower tuition rates than private colleges.
They also have a reputation for preparing their students for careers in their chosen field post-graduation. To help you find the best public university for you, we’ve rounded up the top public colleges in the USA.
University of California – Los Angeles
UCLA is one of the top public universities in USA, and is known for its innovative research and prestigious academic reputation. It is a member of the University of California system and the second oldest of its campuses, founded in 1882 as the Southern branch of the California State Normal School.
UCLA offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including the arts, sciences, education and business. It also has several professional schools, including the Herb Alpert School of Music and the Samuel School of Engineering.
UCLA is an excellent choice for students who want to be part of a strong community with a high level of academic engagement. It is a great school for students who are seeking to develop their skills in research, leadership and teaching.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan, located in Ann Arbor, is one of the most highly regarded public universities in the United States. It is a leader in higher education and is known for its strong academic reputation and unparalleled athletics.
The university is a major center for research and offers a wide range of graduate programs at the doctoral and master’s levels in over 250 disciplines. Its nine professional schools include Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ross School of Business, Ford School of Public Policy, Medical School, Law School, School of Social Work, College of Pharmacy and School of Dentistry.
Several notable alumni have become leaders in politics and public service. Among them are Mike Duggan, Mayor of Detroit; Rick Snyder, Governor of Michigan; U.S. Senators Dick Gephardt and Justin Amash; and U.S. Representatives Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson. Several have also served in the United States Navy. Others have starred in National Hockey League and Major League Baseball, including Marty Turco and Chris Summers.
University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
The University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign is a public university that is known for its strong academic reputation. It has a wide variety of colleges and schools, including the College of Law, School of Information Sciences and School of Engineering.
This university is also well known for its research. Many of its professors have won prestigious awards, including Pulitzer Prizes and Nobel Prizes.
Another thing that sets this university apart is its dedication to safety on campus. The university has various free safety classes that students can take and the local police department is constantly working to keep the community safe.
The university has a large number of student organizations that provide extracurricular activities for students to enjoy. Some of these include actuarial science club, active minds, alpha chi sigma, accounting club and 8 to create.
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is widely known for its academic rigor and high-quality research. Its faculty, staff and students work to solve problems and create new knowledge that will benefit the world.
The school’s research focuses on intellectual and societal challenges that affect the future, and it has a long history of producing innovative scientists. It has produced eight NASA astronauts, 8 Pulitzer Prize winners and 51 Rhodes Scholars.
Its academic program is said to rival the curricula at some private universities, and it’s worth every penny of tuition. The school is also good about giving financial aid to those who need it.
While it’s not the most selective college in the country, it is still difficult to get into. However, if you do your homework and apply early, you can increase your chances of being accepted to the University of Virginia.