Top 10 Public Universities In USA 2024 for MBA, Engineering, MS, Economics

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.

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.

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1. Top Public Universities in USA 2024
2. Top 10 Public Universities in USA 2024
3. Documents required while applying to top public universities in USA

Top Public Universities in USA 2024

Below is a list of public universities in USA for International students based on QS Ranking 2025.

Top 10 Public Universities in USA for International Students:

Top 10 Public Universities in USA 2024

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.

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.

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.

Best Public Universities In USA For Economics:

Top 10 Public Universities In USA For MBA

Top 10 Public Universities In USA For Engineering

Top 10 Public Universities in USA for MS

• University of California Berkeley

• Dakota State University

• Kent State University

• University of Michigan

• University of Virginia

• Wright State University

• Georgia Institute of Technology

• University of South Florida

• University of California Irvine

• University of California - Santa Barbara

• University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

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 2024.

• 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

• Academic qualifications.

• Letters of recommendation.

• Bank statements.

• Statement of purpose.

• English language proficiency tests score.

• Standardised exam Score

• Passport

Cost of Studying in Top Public Universities in USA:

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