173 public universities in the United States in 2026
The public universities in the United States offer accessible education to as many students as possible, with recognised programs and a strong tradition of academic research.
173 public universities
United States has public institutions offering a wide range of programs, often with government-regulated fees and a strong tradition of academic research.
University of Toledo
Public Ohio university, strong in medicine, engineering, and law.
University of Virginia
Historic public university, leader in law, medicine, and liberal arts.
West Virginia University
Public research university, specialized in engineering and natural resources.
University of Washington
Public research university, leader in technology and medicine.
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Public New York university, leader in medicine and public health.
University of Colorado Boulder
Public Colorado university, strong in environmental sciences and engineering.
University of Colorado Denver
Public Colorado university, strong in medicine, engineering, and business.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Public Virginia university, strong in medicine, arts, and business.
University of Connecticut
Public Connecticut university, leader in agriculture, engineering, and business.
University of South Dakota
Public university, specialized in health sciences and agriculture.
University of Delaware
Public Delaware university, strong in engineering, agriculture, and business.
University of Kansas
Public Kansas university, strong in journalism, law, and medicine.
University of Kentucky
Public Kentucky university, leader in medicine, law, and agriculture.
University of Maine
Public university, strong in marine sciences, agriculture, and engineering.
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Public university, leader in medicine, law, and health sciences.
University of Maryland, College Park
Public Maryland university, leader in engineering, computer science, and business.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Public Maryland university, leader in computer science, engineering, and sciences.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Public Massachusetts university, leader in education, sciences, and engineering.
University of Massachusetts Boston
Public urban university in Boston, strong in education, social sciences, and health.
Central Michigan University
Public university, strong in education, business, and health.
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Public Minnesota university, strong in medicine, engineering, and agriculture.
University of Mississippi
Public university, renowned for law, medicine, and humanities.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Public Missouri university, strong in journalism, medicine, and agriculture.
University of Montana
Public university, specialized in environmental sciences and liberal arts.