Key Takeaways:
- Ivy League schools are some of the most prestigious private institutions in the country.
- Public Ivies are public colleges and universities that offer comparable experiences to the eight Ivy League schools.
- Today, there are 30 Public Ivies, some of which include Michigan State, Ohio State, Rutgers, and the University of Arizona.
“William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, circa 1902” by Unknown – Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University ([1]).. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.
What Are “Public Ivies?”
The name “Public Ivies” refers to colleges and universities that, although they aren’t in the Ivy League, are considered to be on the same level as them. The term was originally coined in Public Ivies: A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities by Robert Moll in 1985. An admissions officer for a number of schools across the United States, he initially found 8 schools that could be comparable to the Ivy League schools along with 9 runners-up.
Moll’s original ranking system took several different factors into account such as cost of tuition, quality of the faculty, available resources, cultural traditions, academic rigor, and more.
How Do Public Ivies Compare to Ivy League Schools?
Public Ivies have the name because they are academically comparable to Ivy League schools. And like the elite private colleges and universities, the Public Ivies tend to be difficult to get into. A few currently have acceptance rates of below 20% at the moment, especially since more students are applying to these big-name schools outside of their home state.
However, they do have differences as well. In comparison, Public Ivies tend to have:
- Lower costs of tuition
- Larger undergraduate class sizes
- Smaller endowments
These aren’t hard and fast differences, though. They’re simply trends. For example, The University of Michigan, a Public Ivy, has a larger endowment than Columbia University, an Ivy League school.
The Original Public Ivies
In Moll’s original writings about the Public Ivies, he named 8 schools in 1985 that met his criteria:
- College of William and Mary
- Miami University
- University of California (campuses as of 1985)
- University of Michigan
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Vermont
- University of Virginia
The 9 runners-up were:
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign
- New College of Florida (formerly New College of the University of South Florida)
- Pennsylvania State University
- University of Pittsburgh
- State University of New York at Binghamton
- University of Washington
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
Today’s Public Ivies
The list of Public Ivies has undergone a number of changes in the past 40 years. The most commonly used guide today was published in 1994 by the Greenes’ Guides titled The Public Ivies: America’s Flagship Public Universities.
The full list contains the following 30 schools:
1. INDIANA UNIVERSITY – BLOOMINGTON
- Location: Bloomington, IN
- Enrollment: 59,551
- Acceptance rate: 78.2%
Out of all public colleges and universities in the United States, Indiana University – Bloomington comes in at #34. It’s the flagship campus of the Indiana University system and dates back to 1820, when it was known as State Seminary. Business/Commerce is the most popular major by far, followed by Public Administration and Mass Communication/Media Studies.
2. MIAMI UNIVERSITY – OXFORD
- Location: Oxford, OH
- Enrollment: 18,956
- Acceptance rate: 75.4%
Miami University is #36 overall out of public schools in the US. It’s also one of the oldest public universities in the country, having been founded in 1809. Miami’s motto is Prodesse Quam Conspici, which is Latin for “To accomplish without being conspicuous.” It has a 90% first year retention rate and a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
3. MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- Location: East Lansing, MI
- Enrollment: 52,776
- Acceptance rate: 84.8%
Michigan State University opened as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan in 1855. The school then went through a number of name changes until it got its current moniker in 1964. Some alumni include James Caan, Sam Raimi, and Magic Johnson. MSU is also part of the Big Ten Conference in football, basketball, baseball, and cross country/track.
4. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Enrollment: 63,700
- Acceptance rate: 60.6%
Ohio State University is one of the top public schools in the country at #16. They boast a 94% first year retention rate and an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Past Buckeyes have included R.L. Stein, former President Rutherford B. Hayes, and George Steinbrenner. Some popular undergraduate majors are currently Finance, Experimental Psychology, and Marketing/Marketing Management.
5. PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
- Location: University Park, PA
- Enrollment: 51,905
- Acceptance rate: 60.6%
Pennsylvania State University got its start in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania. The school went through eight names before it became known as Penn State in 1929. “Virtue, Liberty, and Independence” is their motto. There are over 900 athletes on campus, known as Nittany Lions and Lady Lions. They compete in Division 1. For football, basketball, baseball, and cross country/track, Penn State is part of the Big Ten Conference.
6. RUTGERS UNIVERSITY – NEW BRUNSWICK
- Location: New Brunswick, NJ
- Enrollment: 55,007
- Acceptance rate: 65.4%
93% of students decide to stay at Rutgers University after they complete their first year. 68% go onto graduate in four years – 84% in six. Rutgers was founded in 1766, making it one of the oldest colleges in the US. The campus is still home to Old Queens, the current administration building that dates back to 1809 to 1825.
7. BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
- Location: East Vestal, NY
- Enrollment: 18,712
- Acceptance rate: 38.6%
Binghamton University is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and ranks #27 out of public schools. 75% of students graduate within 4 years with their bachelor’s degree. Popular majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, Psychology, Neuroscience, Registered Nursing, and Economics.
8. UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- Enrollment: 54,919
- Acceptance rate: 86.1%
University of Arizona’s roots go back to when Arizona was still a territory. In fact, it was the first university established in the territory, in 1885. A Division 1 school, they compete in the Pacific 12-Conference (football, basketball, baseball, and cross country/track). More than 500 athletes are known as the Wildcats, and they’re rooted on by Wilbur and Wilma T. Wildcat.
9. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – BERKELEY
- Location: Berkeley, CA
- Enrollment: 45,050
- Acceptance rate: 11%
Several schools from the University of California made the 2001 Public Ivies list, including Berkeley. Highly selective, 45.3% of students who are accepted decide to attend Berkeley. The school looks for a 29 to 35 Composite score on the ACT or a 1,330 to 1,540 Total on the SAT. Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology are popular majors.
10. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – DAVIS
- Location: Davis, CA
- Enrollment: 38,992
- Acceptance rate: 41.8%
University of California, Davis, has a 93% first year retention rate and a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Opened as University Farm in 1905, it joined the University of California system in 1959. Davis is a Division 1 school, with Aggies competing in baseball, football, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, and more.
11. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – IRVINE
- Location: Irvine, CA
- Enrollment: 36,878
- Acceptance rate: 28.8%
University of California, Irvine, opened in 1965 to help meet growing college enrollment numbers. Common undergraduate majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, Business/Managerial Economics, and Research and Experimental Psychology. Their campus newspaper is known as the New University.
12. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – LOS ANGELES
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Enrollment: 48,036
- Acceptance rate: 9%
The University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) started as a branch of the California State Normal School in 1881. It originally focused on training teachers to meet the education needs of Southern California and became the second University of California campus in 1919. Alumni include Nicolas Cage, John Williams, Jackie Robinson, and Tom Anderson.
13. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – SAN DIEGO
- Location: La Jolla, CA
- Enrollment: 43,392
- Acceptance rate: 26.8%
64% of students who attend University of California, San Diego, receive grant aid ($24,176 on average). In the last few years, UC San Diego became a Division 1 school and a member of the Big West Conference. Student athletes, known as Tritons, wear UC San Diego Navy, Blue, Yellow, and Gold.
14. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – SANTA BARBARA
- Location: Santa Barbara, CA
- Enrollment: 25,508
- Acceptance rate: 33%
Common majors at the University of California, Santa Barbara, include Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Sociology, and Communication. As with UCLA, UCSB started as a teachers college – Anna Blake Sloyd School – in 1891. It joined the UC system in 1944 and received its current name in 1958.
15. UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER
- Location: Boulder, CO
- Enrollment: 41,427
- Acceptance rate: 81.2%
The University of Colorado Boulder is the flagship school of the University of Colorado system. Opened in 1876, while Colorado was still a territory, the campus is still home to an original building – Old Main, which is in the Collegiate Gothic style reminiscent of East Coast colleges. Business Administration and Management is the most popular major among undergraduates by far.
16. UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
- Location: Storrs, CT
- Enrollment: 27,364
- Acceptance rate: 54%
The University of Connecticut has a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 91% first year retention rate. 93% of undergraduates earn their bachelor’s degrees in six years or fewer. By total enrollment, UConn is the largest school in the state. It also ranks #24 out of all public schools in the country.
17. UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- Location: Newark, DE
- Enrollment: 23,568
- Acceptance rate: 63.6%
Founded in 1743 as the “Free School,” the University of Delaware is one of the oldest schools in the United States. It received its current name in 1921. UD has satellite campuses throughout the state, in Wilmington, Georgetown, Dover, and Lewes. Some alumni include former President Joe Biden, former First Lady Jill Biden, and Joe Flacco.
18. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Enrollment: 58,003
- Acceptance rate: 24.2%
Over 65,000 students applied to the University of Florida in 2023. An extremely selective school, 43.1% of those accepted decided to attend. UF boasts a 97% first year retention rate and is considered the #12 public school in the US. Students are known as the Florida Gators. A Division I school, UF is part of the Southeastern Conference.
19. UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
- Location: Athens, GA
- Enrollment: 41,615
- Acceptance rate: 37.2%
The University of Georgia is one of the oldest public universities in the country, founded in 1785. However, the school wouldn’t actually open to students until 1801. The flagship campus of the University System of Georgia, UGA ranks #22 out of all public schools in the US. Psychology, Biology/Biological Sciences, and Finance are all popular undergraduate majors.
20. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- Location: Champaign, IL
- Enrollment: 57,969
- Acceptance rate: 42.4%
Out of the 43.7% of accepted students to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2023, 28.3% decided to attend the school. It has a 94% first year retention rate, 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a 71% four-year graduation rate. Overall, U. of I. is ranked #17 out of all public colleges and universities.
21. UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- Location: Iowa City, IA
- Enrollment: 30,385
- Acceptance rate: 83.6%
Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Finance, and Behavioral Sciences are popular undergraduate majors at the University of Iowa. Iowa was founded in 1847, making it the oldest university in the state. Over the years, alumni have included Flannery O’Connor, Gene Wilder, and Andre Tippett.
22. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND – COLLEGE PARK
- Location: College Park, MD
- Enrollment: 41,199
- Acceptance rate: 44.8%
University of Maryland, College Park, tends to accept students who score between a 30 and 35 on the ACT or a 1,380 to 1,530 on the SAT Combined. Many undergraduates stay on after the first year – it boasts a 96% first year retention rate. Students are known as Terrapins, and the athletes are cheered on by Testudo the Terrapin.
23. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Enrollment: 52,256
- Acceptance rate: 15.6%
University of Michigan is an extremely selective school. In 2023, it received nearly 88,000 applications. Out of the accepted students, 47.5% decided to attend. Computer and Information Sciences is the most popular undergraduate major, followed by Economics and Business Administration and Management.
24. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TWIN CITIES
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Enrollment: 57,512
- Acceptance rate: 79.8%
A Division I school, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities has over 600 athletes who compete in various sports including baseball, football, rowing, swimming and diving, and golf. The school is part of the Big Ten Conference, and students are known as the Golden Gophers. The Twin Cities campus is the oldest school in the University of Minnesota system.
25. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC
- Enrollment: 32,628
- Acceptance rate: 15.3%
Also known as Carolina, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the oldest public universities in the country. It’s extremely selective. Out of nearly 58,000 applications, only 10,850 were accepted in 2023. Undergraduate students often major in Biology/Biological Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, or Business Administration and Management.
26. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- Location: Austin, TX
- Enrollment: 54,356
- Acceptance rate: 26.6%
The University of Texas at Austin has a 96% first year retention rate and a 70% four-year graduation rate – 88% graduate in six years. The school’s motto is Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis, which is Latin for “Education is the Guardian of the State.” Alumni include Laura Bush, Roger Clemens, and Michael Dell.
27. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- Location: Charlottesville, VA
- Enrollment: 26,197
- Acceptance rate: 16.8%
The University of Virginia is the top ranked public institution in the United States. It was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, with the help of James Madison and James Monroe. UVA has produced eight NASA astronauts, eight Pulitzer Prize leaders, and several government leaders, including Woodrow Wilson and Ted Kennedy.
28. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Enrollment: 48,604
- Acceptance rate: 39.2%
The University of Washington has a very high first year retention rate – 95%. Many students go onto major in Computer Science, Informatics, or Research and Experimental Psychology. The campus newspaper is called The Daily of the University of Washington and students are known as Huskies, wearing purple and gold.
29. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – MADISON
- Location: Madison, WI
- Enrollment: 52,064
- Acceptance rate: 45.2%
A Division I school, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, competes in the Big Ten Conferences. The Badgers have won over 30 national championships. Cheered on by Bucky Badger, the over 700 athletes wear cardinal and white and compete in everything from rowing to wrestling and ice hockey to volleyball.
30. WILLIAM & MARY
- Location: Williamsburg, VA
- Enrollment: 9,859
- Acceptance rate: 34.1%
William & Mary was founded as the private Royal College in 1693 by King William III and Queen Mary II, making it the second oldest higher learning institution, just behind Harvard University. It became public after 1906 and was one of the first schools in the state to accept women. Alumni include Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler, Glenn Close, and Jon Stewart.
How Can Students Increase Their Acceptance Odds?
Students applying to some of the Public Ivies face stiff competition for a coveted acceptance letter, and acceptance rates continue to drop among both these public schools and the Ivy League universities. Those interested in applying need to have excellent grades, show academic rigor, get involved in their community, participate in extracurricular activities, and have a well-rounded application in order to improve their chances of admission.
“Public Ivies” is an informal term for these universities, but they can offer much of the same experiences as the Ivy League schools. They’re known for their outstanding academic programs, long-standing traditions, educated faculty, and more. Attending one of these schools comes with a number of benefits that come with attending an Ivy League sometimes at a fraction of the cost.
Will your application be enough to be accepted to one of these Public Ivy schools? We can help you uncover your chances! Use our free College Match tool to see how you stack up against recently accepted students and how you can increase your chances of receiving an acceptance letter.
