Top 10 Public Universities In USA for International Students in 2025

Top 10 Public Universities In USA for International Students in 2025

Edited By Prabhjyot Kaur | Updated on Nov 26, 2024 12:14 PM IST

The United States of America ranks the top place in the education field among many study destinations in the world. Several public universities in USA are the best in the world, where MIT stands first in the list of best public universities in USA 2025 as per QS 2025 rankings. The best public universities in the United States offers international students an opportunity for quality education at affordable prices.

This Story also Contains
  1. Top Public Universities in USA 2025
  2. Top 10 Public Universities in USA 2025
  3. Documents required while applying to top public universities in USA
  4. Jobs After Studying at the Top Public Colleges in USA 2025
Top 10 Public Universities In USA for International Students in 2025
Top 10 Public Universities In USA for International Students in 2025

There are approximately 6500 universities in USA out of which 1,626 are public universities in USA offering degrees of two (2) to four (4) years of duration. The best thing about government USA colleges is the affordable tuition fees. Read the complete article to know more about the best public Universities in USA in 2025. These public universities in USA for international students have compelling benefits which makes them one of the top choices.

Also Read:

Top Public Universities in USA 2025

Below is a list of public universities in USA for International students based on QS Ranking 2025. Here is the US public university list for international students.

Top 10 Public Universities in USA for International Students:

University Name

QS 2025

UC Berkeley

12

UCLA

42

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

44

University of Texas at Austin

66

University of Washington

76

University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

72

Georgia Institute of Technology

114

University of Wisconsin--Madison

116

University of California, Davis

130

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

155

Study in Ireland

Want to study in Ireland? Explore Universities & Courses

Top 10 Public Universities in USA 2025

Public universities in USA are a great choice for Indian students looking to study in USA on a budget and still have access to quality education. The top public USA universities have more facilities and their degree is globally recognised. Hence, going to a public university in USA is one of the top choices one can make in higher abroad studies. Here is a list of best public universities in the united states for international students.

US Public University List 2025

1. University of California Berkeley

UC Berkeley has been one of the top public USA college for international students. The University was established in the year 1868 and has won various Nobel prizes in the fields of physiology, chemistry, physics, and economics. It has 300+ degree programs and its average tuition fee for nonresidents is USD 18,511 INR 15,42,783. Due to its academic excellence, it is the best USA university.

UC Berkeley has a campus of 1,232 acres and offers facilities such as a Hostel, fully equipped classrooms, a sports arena, transportation, and top-notch infrastructure this enables students to balance between academics and extracurricular activities with ease.

2. University of California Los Angeles UCLA

UCLA was founded in 1919 and since then its primary focus has been a public research university in the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of society. UCLA is committed to academic freedom and values open access to information, free and lively debate conducted with mutual respect for individuals, and freedom from intolerance. This makes the university one of the best public universities in USA.

University of California Los Angeles is home to diversity, recognizing that openness and inclusion produce true quality. These values underlie its three institutional responsibilities: education, research and public service. Although it is the best USA college academically, studying at UCLA will cost an average of USD 63,669 or Rs 53,09,876 tuition fee for international students.

3. University of Michigan Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan was established as a public research university in the year 1817. The University of Michigan has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission- HLC. University of Michigan Ann Arbor is known as one of the best public universities in USA and the world and a founding member of the Association of American Universities.

The University of Michigan is best known for its excellent academic programs with a choice of over 250 degrees. The university has an enrollment of 53,000+ students which includes 33,000+ undergraduates every year. The most popular courses offered at the university include Marketing, Management, Finance, Production / Operation Management and more.

The annual fee structure of the University of Michigan ranges between USD 50,800 to USD 70,000 for nonresidents which is Rs 42,37,319 to Rs 58,38,826. This USA college also provides an online platform called Handshake for placement-related activities.

Also Read:

4. University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas is not only one of the top public universities in USA but also the number one public USA university in Texas. International students mostly prefer Texas City as it is one of the most affordable locations in the USA. The university provides courses in more than 179 fields of study.

Some of the popular subjects in the school include Civil, Computers, Environmental Health, petroleum, etc. It is one of the best public universities in USA ranking 16th position in the Most Innovative School category by US News & World Report. Hence, going to this USA college is one of the best decision.

5. University of Washington

University of Washington located in Washington is a public research USA university. The university was established in the year 1861. UW is one of the top public universities in USA and consists of 18 schools in the departments like arts, business, engineering, dentistry, law, pharmacy, etc.

Some of the popular courses to pursue at the University of Washington are data science, artificial intelligence, software engineering, etc. The university is more focused on innovation in advancement in science, new technologies and driving the global economy. UW has 256 research centres to enable research advances for the future and the faculty has won 7 Nobel prizes which makes it the best USA college.

6. University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

University of California, San Diego is one of the top public universities in USA established in 1960. UCSD has an acceptance rate of 24%. Admission to the University of California, San Diego is competitive as it is one of the best public universities in the United States. What makes UC San Diego one of the top public universities in USA is its research focus. It has been ranked 7th position for the most influential researchers according to “Clarivates Highly Cited Researchers” list. Its the top public USA university for Indian students.

7. Georgia Institute of Technology

One of the best public universities in the US for research. The Georgia Institute of Technology is situated in Atlanta, Georgia. The university's engineering offerings are particularly well-known, particularly in Bio-medical, Aerospace, Civil and computer subjects. The university has an admission acceptance rate of 17%. This is one of the top public universities in USA with more than 10,000+ international students.

8. University of Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin is one of the top public university in USA for international students established in public university established in 1848. The university has a wide campus spread over 936 acres. The best part of the university is its admission acceptance rate is 49% and it does not require GRE test for admission purposes. Some of the best subjects offered by the university include marketing, computer science, insurance and nursing, etc.

9. University of California Davis

The University of California, Davis is a public institution that was founded in 1905 with 100 acres of green land. The university estimated a total undergraduate enrollment of 37,000 in the 2022-2023 academic year. The university has the largest campus size of 5,300 acres as it was originally established as a farm school for UC - Berkeley.

The school's graduate programs are the highly ranked School of Law, Graduate School of Management, College of Engineering, School of Medicine, and School of Veterinary Medicine. Other popular programs include the School of Education and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. Undergraduate scholars can study in the College of Engineering, College of Letters and Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, or College of Biological Sciences.

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the 10th university in the list of top 10 public universities in USA. The establishment year of the university is 1795 and has a campus size of 729 acres. UNC has popular student organisations like Daily Tarhell and activities like an art gallery, “Heritage Month programming” etc.

Being one of the top public universities in USA, University of North Carolina offers more than 300 courses in both full-time and part-time. Some of the popular programs at the university include entrepreneurship, nursing, marketing, finance, etc.

You May Also Like:

Best Public Universities In USA For Economics:

Top 10 Public Universities In USA For MBA

University

QS 2024 WUR

Stanford Graduate School of Business

5

Penn (Wharton)

12

Harvard Business School

4

MIT (Sloan)

1

Columbia Business School

23

Northwestern (Kellogg)

47

UC Berkeley (Haas)

10

Chicago (Booth)

11

UCLA (Anderson)

29

Yale School of Management

16

Top 10 Public Universities In USA For Engineering

University

QS 2024 WUR

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

1

Stanford University

2

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

5

Harvard University

8

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

10

Georgia Institute of Technology

12

Carnegie Mellon University

15

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

17

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

19

University of Texas at Austin

23

Top 10 Public Universities in USA for MS

Why Public Universities in USA are a Good Choice?

Top public universities in USA offer excellent courses and perks. Here are the key points that suggest why public colleges in USA just might be the right university for Indian students in 2025.

  • Funding: Best USA College always provides scholarships and assistantships for international students

  • Educational options: There a always a wide range of academic courses at public universities in USA.

  • Size: Generally, USA universities which are publicly owned are large and well-equipped.

  • Extracurricular activities: Top USA colleges provide social clubs and extra activities to international students

  • Job Opportunity: Part time jobs help to cover tuition fees.

Advantages of Studying at Top Public Universities in USA

Here is the list of advantages of studying at the public universities as follows. These benefits makes them the best public universities in USA.

  • Funding- The State Government funds public universities in the USA as they typically don’t have an endowment and donations network of private universities. Hence, public universities in USA for international students are cheaper than private colleges.

  • Variety of programs - Top public universities in USA provide a variety of programs compared to private colleges. Students can easily change majors without having to change colleges. Public universities have a larger campus size since the university specialises in more program choices and attracts more students. Let’s dive deeper into the five main points to consider.

  • Size - Colleges in the public sector have a larger campus and classroom area, creating diversity among the students' strengths.

  • Educational option - Larger public universities in USA offer choices in course fields and can be more competitive to get admission for a few programs.

  • Extracurricular activities - A larger student population includes numerous activities, such as volunteering work, political activism, community service, and sports. Smaller colleges have fewer activities due to the constricted campus area.

  • Job opportunities - The best public universities in the US have a well-recognized name and are known globally. Top companies attend campus events hosted by the university to seek future interns and part-time employees for their companies. Part-time jobs and internships are excellent for students who wish to earn while studying.

How to Apply for the top public universities in USA?

Student application forms to public universities in the USA are to be submitted separately to each college. Aspirants can apply to as many USA colleges as they wish. Although, it is ideal to ensure the list of USA universities selected is a maximum of 4-6 colleges.

  • Shortlist the desired public college.

  • Visit their website and note down the application start date and deadline.

  • Download the application form available on each chosen college website.

  • Research the standardised test requirements (SAT, GMAT, ACT, GRE).

  • Ensure all academic qualifications are correct and have no errors.

  • Get degree transcripts ready.

  • Construct a perfectly written SOP of 800-1000 words.

  • 2-3 recommendation letters from professors or employers.

  • Updated resume - adding current academic and professional information.

  • Pay the application fee as per the university.

  • Start sending the application form to universities at least 18 months prior.

  • Write a pre-application request to the university through an email stating your educational background, degree and intended program to pursue in the USA.

  • Register for the IELTS or TOEFL exam test. It is best to start preparing for the English language test at least a year before the start of the semester.

  • Fill out the application form and send it online or by mail post. Ensure all applications reach the university before the deadline.

  • Submit all original educational work and transcripts from the academic institution in a sealed envelope.

  • Students are to provide financial aid proof.

  • The university will send an acceptance letter and I-20 form.

  • Apply for a USA student visa.

Eligibility for top public universities in USA

Every public university has an individual set of admission requirements that must be met by the candidates. However, the common criteria to get admission into the best public USA university are listed below.

  • 3 to 4 years bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

  • GPA of 3.5 or above, equivalent to 90% in bachelors.

  • Standardised test scores.

  • Letter of Recommendation - LOR (2-3).

  • Statement of purpose (SOP).

  • IELTS or TOEFL scores.

  • Resume.

  • Extracurricular activities.

Documents required while applying to top public universities in USA

Cost of Studying in Top Public Universities in USA:

College-type (In USA)

Tuition and Fees

Room and Board Charges

Public two-year colleges

USD 3,860

USD 9,330

Public four-year colleges (in-state fees)

USD 10,950

USD 11,950

Public four-year colleges (out-of-state fees)

USD 28,240

USD 11,950

Private non-profit four-year colleges

USD 39,400

USD 13,620

Also know about:

Jobs After Studying at the Top Public Colleges in USA 2025

Here are some of the professions, international students can explore after competing their degrees from top public universities in USA.

Jobs after Graduating from US Top Public Universities 2025:

ProfessionExpected Salaries 2025 (USD)
Software Engineer110,000 - 150,000
Data Scientist100,000 - 140,000
Financial Analyst80,000 - 120,000
Mechanical Engineer70,000 - 110,000
Civil Engineer65,000 - 100,000
Registered Nurse60,000 - 90,000
Marketing Manager70,000 - 110,000
Human Resources Manager65,000 - 95,000
Sales Manager60,000 - 100,000
Graphic Designer50,000 - 80,000


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best public university in USA 2025?

University of California Berkeley and UCLA rank as the No.1 best public universities in the USA 2025 by U.S News and World Report. Berkeley has ranked at the top of the list for the 10th consecutive year. Both universities are located in the California state of the USA.

2. What is the top university in USA?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the top university in the USA according to the QS World University Rankings. MIT is a private university established in the year 1861. The university consists of five (5) schools in the architecture, engineering, arts, social & management sciences, etc. Most international students dream of studying at this university and it has a challenging acceptance rate of 4.1%.

3. Can international students apply for public universities in USA?

Yes, International students can apply to public universities in US. For this purpose, the candidates have to meet the admission requirements for the applied course. Along with academic qualifications, candidates need to attempt entrance tests like the IELTS, GRE, SAT, GMAT, etc. for admission.

4. What is UC Berkeley rank in 2025?

UC Berkeley has been ranked the No.1 public university in the United States by U.S News and World Report and 10th position in the QS World University Rankings 2025. UC Berkeley has an admission acceptance rate of 11% which is a challenge for student applicants.

5. What does public university mean in USA?

A public university or college in the USA is an education institute that receives funding from the government and is supported completely by the state government to provide quality education to local and international students.

6. What are the several advantages of a public university in USA?

There are several advantages to taking admission to a public university- affordability of tuition fees, larger campus size, university reputation, and excellent campus life.

7. Is a public university better than a private university?

Public universities offer lower tuition fees and are also very competitive. Public universities provide excellent choices for higher education and a widening range of academic programs to choose.

8. How many public universities are there in the US?

The USA has currently about 1,955 public universities, of which 1,626 are degree-granting.

9. Why study in the USA?

America is open to international students from all over the world. Students often choose USA for the quality of education, excellent curriculum, diverse cultural experience, and abundant work opportunities, which are a few reasons why many international students prefer to study in the States.

Articles

Questions related to

Get answers from students and experts

Hi there

Yes you can try to learn various courses that are for approximately 3 months to 6 months in duration.

Yes you can learn before going to us. Learning skills definitively adds some value to the life of a candidate and also improves in getting good recognition in life..

Below i have mentioned some courses  that you can try before visiting us:

  • Social media marketing
  • Content writer
  • Content creation
  • Video editing
  • Photography skills
  • Digital marketing
  • Stiching
  • Makeup artist course
  • Hairstyling course.

So these are some courses you can try.

Hope this answer will help you. Revert incase of any query.

Thank you and good luck:)

Hello Samarasimha,

YES, you can MS in UA after completing Bsc in Statistics. . All you have to do is score good marks in your PG and prepare for GRE. You should also decide upon the country and the university in which you are going to study.

Furthermore, the requirements to pursue MS in USA are as follows :

  • 3 to 4 years bachelors degree in relevant field.
  • 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelors.
  • GRE score of 330 or above.
  • Statement of Purpose.
  • Research Internships/ Published Research Papers.
  • Project work/Seminars.
  • 2-3 Letter of Recommendation.
  • Social & Leadership Activities.

Further, requirements for Software jobs in USA are as follows :

  • Enroll in a software development program. The first step to becoming a software engineer is to enroll in a software development degree program. ...
  • Gain internship experience. ...
  • Choose your specialty. ...
  • Pursue industry certifications. ...
  • Continue your education.

I hope that this will help.

Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..

To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as

  • TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
  • There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.

Top university of The USA for master degree courses

  • John Carroll University
  • Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Michigan State University
  • West Virginia University
  • Rhode Island College
  • University of Arkansas
  • Vanderbilt University
  • DePaul University
  • Delaware State University
  • Texas A&M University-Commerce
  • University of South Florida
  • California State University Northridge

You can get the detailed information about the process how to apply for MS in USA. read the given article. Link is given below

https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-apply-for-ms-in-usa/amp

Hope it's helpful for you..

Thank you

There are many ways to choose your university such as fees, the ranking of the university, which state it is located and scholarships. My suggestion is to choose your research focus and write academic papers. In the US, PhD in Commerce admission into the university depends on what you want to study (your area of research) and your already completed research papers. You can begin your research by searching online for US universities offering PhD in Business Administration. One example is University of California Los Angeles (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/phd-program/admissions#app-req) .


Hello  Student

You are aBHM means Bachelor in Hotel Management so after doing BHM,to gain a bright future  inthis trade you have to do MSc in Hotel Management,post graduation in Hospitality Management,Master degree in travel and tourism management,or MBA in hotel management,AFter doing post graduation in Hotel management or travel and tourism management will give you the best return in employment opportunity.

Hope this will help.


View All
Back to top