Looking at the Best Public Colleges Rankings
Public colleges have seen a huge surge in popularity as a result of the current recession. Many publics have seen big increases in the number of applications as students and their parents are becoming more attracted to the lower sticker prices they find at the public colleges in their own states.
High unemployment, the ever rising cost of private college tuition, and the squeeze on financial aid budgets has meant that more and more students are looking for less expensive options. For many students, public colleges can be a far more affordable choice than a private college, with in-state tuition being the best bargain. Public colleges also can be the low-cost pick for many out-of-state students, because even out-of-state tuitions typically don't approach the prices at private colleges.
If you are interested in which public colleges and universities are the best, U.S. News has recently posted the top-ranked public schools from the 2010 edition of America's Best Colleges. The public schools are ranked within the 10 U.S. News categories. Some officials at American public research universities believe that their school's standing among its peer publics in the U.S. News Top Public National Universities ranking is the most important measure U.S. News offers.
How does U.S. News do these top public rankings? First, the public colleges must be in the top half of the rankings in their U.S. News Best Colleges ranking category, in which they are ranked against all of the schools eligible for that list, public and private. Next, U.S. News re-ranks just the publics that were in the top half of each category so that each public maintains its original rank order in the overall rankings. For example, since the University of California–Berkeley was the highest ranked public in the National Universities 2010 edition of the America's Best Colleges rankings, it was ranked No. 1 in the Top Public National Universities ranking. The University of California–Los Angeles and the University of Virginia were the next highest-ranked publics and also tied in the National Universities ranking, so they were both ranked No. 2 in the Top Public National Universities ranking.
Go to the links below to see which colleges are the top-ranked publics.
Top Public Colleges and Universities
Tags: rankings | paying for college
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Reader Comments
UVA
The University of Virginia is the most beautiful public campus that I have ever visited. I am proud to have gone there and really urge parents and prospective students to visit Charlottesville. It has excellent academics, great sports teams, wonderful traditions, a renowned staff and the best student body. If you visit, you will not be disapointed. I am so proud to be a UVA alum. Wahoowah!
Elizabeth
Class of 2008
University with developed programs
Sorry about my messy ebglish skills.Stress.First i am a christian and i like nondenom christian colleges. But end times are here. A lot of future attendees do not know that there is activiteis and luxuries at school. Not put in with the ratings. Such as few years ago at pepperdine and G washington. They have active people and programs at g washington than other universities. Pepperdine has large dorms and active people. A book out there gives this information. You have to study. Also a lot of people do not graduate. Think on work load. A report a few years ago.Thank you for your time. Psalm99:9-outside pray. Righteousness not self righteousness. 1 corinth 14:26. Col 3:11. Ro 3:23-Lord God will work with us. Thanks.
It's Not About the Money
Although it is true that public universities tend to be the cheapest alternative to a college education, not all students will thrive or even survive in some of these large institutions. It is a known fact that 50% of all college freshman eventually drop out of college. This is not necessarily due to their lack of ability, often it is due to the lack of fit within the school.
As the owner of college consulting firm, CMH College Consulting, I advise my students to explore colleges that fit them academically, socially, and emotionally. It is important to understand the needs of the learner and what type of environment will be conducive to their success. Will they do well in a lecture hall with 300 or do they need that individual attention where the professor knows their name? Are they comfortable on a campus where they seldom recognize anyone they see or do they need a small environment where they know everyone? Can they learn from a TA who has no teaching qualifications, or do they need that professor that has spent their career focused solely on the teaching process?
While it seems a no-brainer that in this economy, applying to a public school is the most affordable option, it is not quite that simple. Students should first decide what type of setting they need. Applying to a school that does not fit will eventually become a greater liability when the student discovers that they are not successful. This then results in additional costs of applying to and transferring to a school that is a better fit-often resulting in more tuition. Worse case scenario is the student drops out. Ultimately, the best college education will come from that school that provides a combination of affordability and academic fit.
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