Top 10 Public Universities in the USA

If you are planning to pursue your higher education abroad, the US could be the ideal destination. The United States is one of the most popular study destinations for international students. According to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Education Exchange, the total number of international students studying at American universities is more than 1.1 million, which is a 7% increase from the previous academic year.

The United States is home to some of the premier universities in the world, and among them are the public universities. The public universities are cost-effective, rank among the top universities in the QS World University Rankings, and offer a wide range of programs and research opportunities.

Top 10 Public Universities in the USA for International Students

Here is the list of the best universities in USA:

  • Picture
    University Name
    Courses
    University Details
     
  • University of California, Berkeley
    University of California, Berkeley
    Full-time and Part-time
    On-Campus and Online Programs
    Undergraduate Fees: Around $54,000 per year
    Graduate Fees: Around $37,000 per year
    QS World Rankings: 12
    Acceptance Rate: 11%
    Placement Rate: 98.7%
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus & Online Programs
    Undergraduate: $54,000 per year
    Graduate: $37,000 per year
    QS World Rankings: 12
    Acceptance Rate: 11%
    Placement Rate: 98.7%
    Get Details
  • University of California, Los Angeles
    Bachelor’s: BA in History, BE in Electrical Engineering, and BE in Mechanical Engineering
    Master’s: MBA, MSc in Civil Engineering, and MSc in Mechanical Engineering
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus & Online Programs
    Undergraduate: $76,000 to $77,000 per year
    Graduate: $36,000 per year
    QS World Rankings: 42
    Acceptance Rate: 9%
    Placement Rate: 93%
    Get Details
  • University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
    Bachelor’s: BSc in Chemistry, BA in English, and Bachelor of Commerce
    Master’s: MA in History, MSc in Finance, and MSc in Management
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus & Online programs
    Undergraduate: $60,000 to $65,000 per year
    Graduate: $38,000 to $57,000 per year
    QS World Rankings: 44
    Acceptance Rate: 17.7%
    Placement Rate: Around 95%
    Get Details
  • University of Texas at Austin
    University of Texas at Austin
    Bachelor’s: BA in Psychology, BE in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and BE in Civil Engineering
    Master’s: MSc in Business Analytics, MSc in AI, and MSc in Environmental Science
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus & Online programs
    Undergraduate: $40,000 to $48,000 per year
    Graduate Fees: $12,000 to $22,000 per year
    QS World Rankings: 66
    Acceptance Rate: 29%
    Placement Rate: 75% full-time employment rate
    Get Details
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Bachelor’s: BSc in Computer Science, BEng in Electronic and Computer Engineering, and BSc in Biotechnology
    Master’s: MSc in Computing, MSc in Management, and MA in Journalism
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus & Online Programs
    Undergraduate: $37,000 to $47,000 per year
    Graduate: $50,000 to $55,000 per year
    QS World Rankings: 69
    Acceptance Rate: 44.8%
    Placement Rate: 95%
    Get Details
  • University of California, San Diego
    University of California, San Diego
    Bachelor’s: BEng in Mechanical, BEng in Electrical Engineering, and BSc in Computer Systems
    Master’s: MSc in Cybersecurity, MSc in Civil Engineering, and MA in Business Management
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus & Online Programs
    Undergraduate: $37,602 per year
    Graduate: $15,102 per year
    QS World Rankings: 72
    Acceptance Rate: 25%
    Placement Rate: 88.7%
    Get Details
  • Maynooth University
    Maynooth University
    Bachelor’s: BBS in International Business, BBS in Management, and BSc in Biotechnology
    Master’s: MSc in Digital Marketing, MSc in Supply Chain & Management, and MSc in Data Science and Analytics
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus Online Programs
    Undergraduate Fees: $57,612
    Graduate Fees: $43,748
    QS World Rankings: 76
    Acceptance Rate: 43%
    Placement Rate: 93%
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  • Technological University Dublin
    Technological University Dublin
    Bachelor’s: Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science (Honors) Computer Science, and Bachelor of Architecture
    Master’s: Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Finance, and MSc in Applied Cyber Security
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus & Online Programs
    Undergraduate: $43,290 per year
    Graduate: $25,000 to $30,000 per year
    QS World Rankings: 89
    Acceptance Rate: 55.2%
    Placement Rate: 70% to 95%
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  • Purdue University
    Munster Technological University
    Bachelor’s: Bachelor of Business (Honors) Accounting, Bachelor of Science (Honors) Agricultural Engineering, and Bachelor of Science (Honors) Architectural Engineering
    Master’s: Master of Science Artificial Intelligence, Master of Science Cyber Security, and Master of Science International Business
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus & Online Programs
    Undergraduate: $31,000 per year
    Graduate Fees: $29,104 per year
    QS World Rankings: 89
    Acceptance Rate: 52.7%
    Placement Rate: Over 90%
    Get Details
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
    Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
    Bachelor’s: BEng (Honors) in Aerospace Engineering, BEng (Honors) in Electrical Engineering, and Bachelor of Business (Hons)
    Master’s: MSc in Information Technology Management, MSc in Data Science, and MEng in Applied Materials
    Full-time & Part-time
    On-Campus & Online Programs
    Undergraduate: $33,000 per year
    Graduate: $23,000 to $34,000 per year
    QS World Rankings: 114
    Acceptance Rate: 16%
    Placement Rate: 96%
    Get Details

Eligibility Criteria for Public Universities

Below are the general academic requirements for both undergraduate and graduate studies at American public universities:

Undergraduate Programs

  • Students must complete their 12 years of formal schooling (equivalent to a US high school diploma).
  • Students may be required to submit ACT or SAT scores. Some universities may ask for either the ACT or the SAT. Check the exam requirements of your chosen university.
  • Universities ask for an English Proficiency Language Test score. The widely accepted tests are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and the Duolingo test.

Graduate Programs

  • Students must complete a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution (equivalent to a US 4-year degree).
  • The general minimum requirements for a graduate program are 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. That said, some universities accept 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 or 3.5 for competitive programs.
  • Students may be required to submit the GRE for STEM-related programs and the GMAT for MBA programs.
  • Similar to undergraduate programs, universities ask for an English Proficiency Language Test score for graduate programs. The widely accepted tests are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and the Duolingo test.

Supporting Documents for Admission to Undergraduate and Graduate Studies

  • Official transcripts of higher-secondary and undergraduate studies.
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume
  • Proof of financial support
  • Copy of passport 

Tips for Choosing the Right Public University in the USA

Here are some useful tips for choosing the right public university:

  • Check the accreditations and rankings. Verify if the university that you intend to pick is regionally accredited. In addition to this, check whether the university has secured regional and global rankings (like QS, Times Higher Education, etc.).
  • Confirm if your chosen university offers courses aligned with your interests. Additionally, check the curriculum, duration, and placement opportunities. If they align with your interests, the university might be the right fit for you.
  • Check if the university offers scholarships. A scholarship can significantly reduce the financial burden. Additionally, check whether the university offers on-campus part-time jobs and internships. These can help in paying your tuition fees or covering living expenses.
  • Consider the location of the university, whether it is in or near a city. Urban campuses often offer advantages, like access to companies and internships.
  • Check intake availability. Public universities in the US have Fall, Spring, or Summer intakes. Check which intake suits you the best and accordingly make the decision. The Fall intake accepts most of the international students.

Conclusion

Public Universities are perfect for students who are looking for education at affordable prices. There are many public universities in the US, but studying at top institutions should be your priority. The US is home to public universities that consistently rank among the world’s best in the QS World University Rankings, making it a top destination for higher education.

FAQs:

Yes, many public universities offer scholarships to international students. They offer scholarships on merit-based or need-based aid.

Yes, public universities offer on-campus part-time work opportunities. Having said that, F1-visa students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and 40 hours per week during holidays and breaks.

If you are choosing a top-ranked public university in the USA, the admission process can be very competitive, especially for popular programs. Therefore, international students must have a strong academic background and test scores.

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