10 Top Public Universities in USA: Tuition Fees, Admission Process

Top 10 Public Universities in USA 

Thinking of studying at public universities in the US, check out the top 10 ranking public universities in the USA for the year 2024 by QS and THE World Rankings in the table below: 

 Why Study at Public Universities in USA? 

There are various pros of studying at public universities in the USA for international students. From being cheaper on the pocket to exposure to a wide range of opportunities, the following is a list of why international students should choose to study at public universities in the USA: 

• Public universities in the USA are 15-20% cheaper in the USA in comparison to private universities in the USA. Check out the Affordable & Cheap Universities in the USA. 
• A higher chance of bagging a scholarship depending upon the availability is more prominent for public university admissions. 
• Acceptance rates are lower for public universities in the USA in comparison to private universities. 
• There are better course offerings and a higher number of specialization options to choose from at public universities in the USA. 
• Moreover, unlike a few private universities, there are a handful US universities that do not charge application fees. 

Cost of Studying in Top Public Universities in USA 

Since the cost of studying in the USA is not budget-friendly, considering to study in public universities in the USA can still be a cheaper option for international students. Here’s a comparison year-wise of the fee charged at public universities in the USA for international students: 

It can be noted from the data above, that the maximum percentage drop in tuition rates for out-of-state or international students was recorded post-pandemic that is, between the years 2020 to 2022. The reason being, lower admissions across US universities, on-campus fee reductions and online classes for all students during the worldwide pandemic exigencies which led to a ban on travel and resulted in lockdowns in several places. The tuition rates are expected to increase by 3-4% in the upcoming years.  

List of Public Universities in America for International Students 

Apart from the above-given public universities in the USA, international students can also think of applying to other public universities in the USA. The following is a list of the next best set of public universities in the USA for international students: 

• University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 

• University of California - Irvine 

• University of Georgia 

• Michigan State University 

• Texas A&M University 

• University of Florida 

• University of Maryland 

• University of South Florida 

• University of Pittsburgh 

• Virginia Tech 

• University of Oregon 

• Florida State University 

• University of Washington 

• Ohio State University 

• Indiana University 

There are many others on the list too and students are free to choose from those public universities in the USA. Students must note that the application process is the same as for the other US universities but the channel of application submission and selection process may differ per se.  

For a detailed discussion on rating one’s chances for US university admissions, contact our dedicated team of counsellors for free counselling. Sign up here - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply.