Lens covers 242 smaller public universities, all public. They range from University of Pittsburgh–Bradford (995 undergraduates) to University of North Carolina Wilmington (14,922). Acceptance rates run from 21% to 100%, and 232 of the 242 admit at least half of applicants.
Smaller public universities here have fewer than 15,000 undergraduates (IPEDS).
Open these 242 colleges in the College Filter → Narrow them by cost at your rate, majors, size and more.
The 242 smaller public universities
Listed A to Z. Lens never ranks colleges.
| College | Location | Undergraduates | Acceptance rate | Tuition & fees (before aid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, Alabama | 6,124 | 58% | $10,024 in-state · $18,634 out-of-state |
| Angelo State University | San Angelo, Texas | 5,643 | 83% | $8,460 in-state · $18,300 out-of-state |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, Arkansas | 9,110 | 82% | $8,090 in-state · $14,522 out-of-state |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, Arkansas | 5,388 | 96% | $8,674 in-state · $14,668 out-of-state |
| Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, Tennessee | 7,560 | 96% | $9,006 in-state · $14,766 out-of-state |
| Ball State University | Muncie, Indiana | 13,988 | 86% | $11,082 in-state · $29,630 out-of-state |
| Bemidji State University | Bemidji, Minnesota | 3,139 | 56% | $10,237 |
| Binghamton University | Vestal, New York | 14,655 | 39% | $10,567 in-state · $30,447 out-of-state |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, Maryland | 5,043 | 72% | $9,218 in-state · $19,938 out-of-state |
| Bowling Green State University | Bowling Green, Ohio | 12,812 | 81% | $14,460 in-state · $22,448 out-of-state |
| Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | 7,829 | 88% | $11,808 in-state · $17,948 out-of-state |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | Brooklyn, New York | 10,543 | 58% | $7,452 in-state · $15,402 out-of-state |
| CUNY City College | New York, New York | 12,505 | 60% | $7,340 in-state · $15,290 out-of-state |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York, New York | 11,590 | 57% | $7,470 in-state · $15,420 out-of-state |
| CUNY Lehman College | Bronx, New York | 10,696 | 57% | $7,410 in-state · $15,360 out-of-state |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | Brooklyn, New York | 13,580 | 80% | $7,332 in-state · $15,282 out-of-state |
| CUNY Queens College | Queens, New York | 12,550 | 64% | $7,538 in-state · $15,488 out-of-state |
| CUNY York College | Jamaica, New York | 4,345 | 64% | $7,358 in-state · $15,308 out-of-state |
| California State University, Bakersfield | Bakersfield, California | 8,577 | 94% | $8,090 in-state · $20,690 out-of-state |
| California State University, Chico | Chico, California | 13,631 | 93% | $8,472 in-state · $21,072 out-of-state |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills | Carson, California | 12,538 | 93% | $7,449 in-state · $20,049 out-of-state |
| California State University, East Bay | Hayward, California | 9,809 | 97% | $7,583 in-state · $20,183 out-of-state |
| California State University, Monterey Bay | Seaside, California | 6,819 | 97% | $7,779 in-state · $20,379 out-of-state |
| California State University, San Marcos | San Marcos, California | 14,877 | 95% | $8,082 in-state · $20,682 out-of-state |
| California State University, Stanislaus | Turlock, California | 8,385 | 98% | $8,246 in-state · $20,846 out-of-state |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, Connecticut | 7,822 | 73% | $13,050 in-state · $16,550 out-of-state |
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | 10,035 | 90% | $14,760 |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, Washington | 7,833 | 91% | $9,417 in-state · $27,526 out-of-state |
| Chicago State University | Chicago, Illinois | 1,384 | 43% | $12,754 |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, South Carolina | 2,705 | 23% | $12,570 in-state · $38,508 out-of-state |
| Cleveland State University | Cleveland, Ohio | 8,969 | 91% | $12,988 in-state · $18,510 out-of-state |
| Coastal Carolina University | Conway, South Carolina | 10,377 | 75% | $11,640 in-state · $29,628 out-of-state |
| College of Charleston | Charleston, South Carolina | 10,558 | 60% | $12,978 in-state · $38,296 out-of-state |
| College of Staten Island CUNY | Staten Island, New York | 9,657 | 92% | $7,490 in-state · $15,440 out-of-state |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, Colorado | 8,143 | 82% | $9,927 in-state · $25,124 out-of-state |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, Georgia | 5,625 | 99% | $5,898 in-state · $17,610 out-of-state |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | 9,210 | 93% | $11,046 in-state · $22,870 out-of-state |
| Coppin State University | Baltimore, Maryland | 1,844 | 46% | $7,100 in-state · $14,024 out-of-state |
| Delaware State University | Dover, Delaware | 4,398 | 47% | $10,670 in-state · $20,634 out-of-state |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | 4,814 | 92% | $11,536 in-state · $19,502 out-of-state |
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, Tennessee | 10,004 | 86% | $10,472 in-state · $14,522 out-of-state |
| East Texas A&M University | Commerce, Texas | 9,912 | 92% | $10,026 in-state · $22,326 out-of-state |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston, Illinois | 4,188 | 65% | $13,679 in-state · $16,217 out-of-state |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, Kentucky | 12,318 | 78% | $10,320 in-state · $21,230 out-of-state |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, Michigan | 10,055 | 80% | $16,240 |
| Eastern Washington University | Cheney, Washington | 6,222 | 91% | $8,586 in-state · $25,959 out-of-state |
| Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | 1,975 | 64% | $6,536 in-state · $10,536 out-of-state |
| Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, New York | 9,552 | 63% | $8,626 in-state · $18,536 out-of-state |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | New York, New York | 7,637 | 60% | $6,294 in-state · $16,874 out-of-state |
| Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville, North Carolina | 5,762 | 82% | $4,353 in-state · $8,353 out-of-state |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids, Michigan | 8,106 | 91% | $14,778 |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, Massachusetts | 2,752 | 87% | $11,346 in-state · $17,426 out-of-state |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee, Florida | 7,582 | 21% | $5,785 in-state · $17,725 out-of-state |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, Florida | 13,874 | 63% | $6,118 in-state · $25,162 out-of-state |
| Framingham State University | Framingham, Massachusetts | 2,566 | 84% | $11,920 in-state · $18,000 out-of-state |
| Francis Marion University | Florence, South Carolina | 2,628 | 86% | $11,160 in-state · $21,544 out-of-state |
| Frostburg State University | Frostburg, Maryland | 2,909 | 89% | $10,220 in-state · $25,814 out-of-state |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, Georgia | 5,947 | 78% | $9,186 in-state · $29,512 out-of-state |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute, Indiana | 6,188 | 81% | $10,258 in-state · $22,322 out-of-state |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana, Pennsylvania | 6,764 | 91% | $11,380 in-state · $16,297 out-of-state |
| Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, Indiana | 13,830 | 76% | $10,762 in-state · $34,891 out-of-state |
| Jackson State University | Jackson, Mississippi | 4,600 | 93% | $8,965 in-state · $11,965 out-of-state |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, Alabama | 7,036 | 78% | $12,894 in-state · $23,334 out-of-state |
| Kean University | Union, New Jersey | 11,433 | 76% | $14,299 in-state · $22,446 out-of-state |
| Keene State College | Keene, New Hampshire | 2,699 | 90% | $14,784 in-state · $26,840 out-of-state |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown, Pennsylvania | 6,180 | 91% | $11,314 in-state · $16,068 out-of-state |
| Lamar University | Beaumont, Texas | 8,150 | 86% | $8,905 in-state · $18,745 out-of-state |
| Lander University | Greenwood, South Carolina | 3,397 | 81% | $11,700 in-state · $21,300 out-of-state |
| Lewis-Clark State College | Lewiston, Idaho | 2,385 | 88% | $7,610 in-state · $22,028 out-of-state |
| Lincoln University | Lincoln University, Pennsylvania | 1,539 | 66% | $12,512 in-state · $19,384 out-of-state |
| Longwood University | Farmville, Virginia | 3,015 | 90% | $15,744 in-state · $27,978 out-of-state |
| Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, Louisiana | 8,312 | 86% | $10,125 in-state · $16,866 out-of-state |
| Marshall University | Huntington, West Virginia | 7,266 | 96% | $9,162 in-state · $20,342 out-of-state |
| Middle Georgia State University | Macon, Georgia | 6,574 | 100% | $5,038 in-state · $16,390 out-of-state |
| Midwestern State University | Wichita Falls, Texas | 4,087 | 94% | $10,580 in-state · $12,530 out-of-state |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville, Pennsylvania | 5,728 | 86% | $11,128 in-state · $22,952 out-of-state |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead, Minnesota | 3,072 | 59% | $10,428 |
| Minnesota State University–Mankato | Mankato, Minnesota | 11,703 | 88% | $9,572 in-state · $18,942 out-of-state |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin, Missouri | 3,019 | 97% | $8,960 in-state · $17,080 out-of-state |
| Missouri State University–Springfield | Springfield, Missouri | 13,313 | 91% | $9,502 in-state · $18,770 out-of-state |
| Montana State University | Bozeman, Montana | 14,451 | 82% | $8,460 in-state · $33,287 out-of-state |
| Morehead State University | Morehead, Kentucky | 4,578 | 77% | $10,024 in-state · $14,980 out-of-state |
| Morgan State University | Baltimore, Maryland | 9,019 | 82% | $8,229 in-state · $19,124 out-of-state |
| Murray State University | Murray, Kentucky | 6,688 | 86% | $9,900 in-state · $19,836 out-of-state |
| New Jersey City University | Jersey City, New Jersey | 3,681 | 98% | $14,460 |
| New Mexico State University | Las Cruces, New Mexico | 11,946 | 89% | $8,183 in-state · $25,307 out-of-state |
| Nicholls State University | Thibodaux, Louisiana | 4,737 | 91% | $8,149 in-state · $9,242 out-of-state |
| North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro, North Carolina | 12,182 | 50% | $6,813 in-state · $20,673 out-of-state |
| North Carolina Central University | Durham, North Carolina | 6,081 | 87% | $6,699 in-state · $19,735 out-of-state |
| North Dakota State University | Fargo, North Dakota | 9,471 | 95% | $11,110 in-state · $15,764 out-of-state |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago, Illinois | 3,982 | 75% | $12,383 in-state · $22,726 out-of-state |
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, Illinois | 11,301 | 70% | $13,248 |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, Kentucky | 8,246 | 68% | $11,088 in-state · $21,912 out-of-state |
| Northern Michigan University | Marquette, Michigan | 6,556 | 84% | $14,277 in-state · $19,773 out-of-state |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, Missouri | 4,378 | 86% | $10,611 in-state · $17,324 out-of-state |
| Oakland University | Rochester Hills, Michigan | 12,351 | 88% | $15,262 in-state · $23,188 out-of-state |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | Klamath Falls, Oregon | 2,892 | 95% | $13,260 in-state · $37,196 out-of-state |
| Pennsylvania State University–Penn State Altoona | Altoona, Pennsylvania | 2,367 | 98% | $15,972 in-state · $26,958 out-of-state |
| Pennsylvania State University–Penn State Berks | Reading, Pennsylvania | 1,872 | 99% | $15,972 in-state · $26,958 out-of-state |
| Pennsylvania State University–Penn State Harrisburg | Middletown, Pennsylvania | 4,031 | 98% | $15,972 in-state · $26,958 out-of-state |
| Pennsylvania Western University | California, Pennsylvania | 7,451 | 94% | $11,436 in-state · $16,054 out-of-state |
| Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, Kansas | 4,210 | 89% | $8,400 in-state · $19,744 out-of-state |
| Plymouth State University | Plymouth, New Hampshire | 3,153 | 88% | $14,626 in-state · $25,566 out-of-state |
| Portland State University | Portland, Oregon | 13,182 | 91% | $11,679 in-state · $31,074 out-of-state |
| Prairie View A & M University | Prairie View, Texas | 8,877 | 79% | $11,299 in-state · $26,874 out-of-state |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, Indiana | 5,484 | 84% | $9,532 in-state · $22,887 out-of-state |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, Indiana | 5,671 | 72% | $8,675 in-state · $16,094 out-of-state |
| Radford University | Radford, Virginia | 6,038 | 90% | $12,548 in-state · $25,633 out-of-state |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey | Mahwah, New Jersey | 4,898 | 71% | $16,777 in-state · $27,708 out-of-state |
| Rhode Island College | Providence, Rhode Island | 5,049 | 92% | $11,300 in-state · $27,299 out-of-state |
| Rutgers University–Camden | Camden, New Jersey | 3,753 | 66% | $17,764 in-state · $37,276 out-of-state |
| Rutgers University–Newark | Newark, New Jersey | 7,709 | 71% | $17,250 in-state · $36,762 out-of-state |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport, New York | 5,784 | 71% | $8,752 in-state · $15,822 out-of-state |
| SUNY Buffalo State University | Buffalo, New York | 5,097 | 73% | $8,533 in-state · $19,653 out-of-state |
| SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill | Cobleskill, New York | 1,904 | 84% | $8,768 in-state · $18,678 out-of-state |
| SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred, New York | 3,563 | 76% | $8,892 in-state · $16,837 out-of-state |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton | Canton, New York | 2,741 | 92% | $8,742 in-state · $13,572 out-of-state |
| SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | Delhi, New York | 2,843 | 89% | $8,772 in-state · $12,762 out-of-state |
| SUNY Morrisville | Morrisville, New York | 1,923 | 92% | $8,825 in-state · $19,245 out-of-state |
| SUNY Oneonta | Oneonta, New York | 4,643 | 70% | $8,831 in-state · $19,781 out-of-state |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute | Utica, New York | 1,849 | 81% | $8,625 in-state · $21,215 out-of-state |
| SUNY at Fredonia | Fredonia, New York | 2,755 | 78% | $8,831 in-state · $19,771 out-of-state |
| Saginaw Valley State University | University Center, Michigan | 5,989 | 72% | $12,930 in-state · $30,450 out-of-state |
| Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | 5,088 | 95% | $10,245 |
| Salem State University | Salem, Massachusetts | 4,291 | 96% | $12,338 in-state · $19,531 out-of-state |
| Salisbury University | Salisbury, Maryland | 6,057 | 87% | $11,084 in-state · $22,174 out-of-state |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Shippensburg, Pennsylvania | 4,086 | 86% | $13,720 in-state · $15,974 out-of-state |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | 6,788 | 71% | $10,568 in-state · $14,676 out-of-state |
| Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, California | 5,166 | 93% | $8,624 in-state · $21,224 out-of-state |
| South Dakota State University | Brookings, South Dakota | 9,198 | 98% | $9,299 in-state · $12,809 out-of-state |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | 6,373 | 74% | $9,903 |
| Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, Louisiana | 9,514 | 99% | $8,373 in-state · $20,851 out-of-state |
| Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven, Connecticut | 6,295 | 91% | $13,438 in-state · $27,378 out-of-state |
| Southern Illinois University–Carbondale | Carbondale, Illinois | 8,494 | 87% | $13,334 |
| Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville | Edwardsville, Illinois | 8,750 | 98% | $12,922 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 5,519 | 35% | $9,922 in-state · $17,272 out-of-state |
| Southern University at New Orleans | New Orleans, Louisiana | 1,055 | 79% | $8,054 in-state · $16,954 out-of-state |
| Southern Utah University | Cedar City, Utah | 9,289 | 82% | $6,962 in-state · $21,192 out-of-state |
| State University of New York at Cortland | Cortland, New York | 5,901 | 60% | $8,874 in-state · $18,784 out-of-state |
| State University of New York at New Paltz | New Paltz, New York | 6,086 | 62% | $8,572 in-state · $18,822 out-of-state |
| State University of New York at Oswego | Oswego, New York | 5,473 | 81% | $8,825 in-state · $18,735 out-of-state |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh | Plattsburgh, New York | 3,769 | 78% | $9,035 in-state · $18,945 out-of-state |
| Stephen F Austin State University | Nacogdoches, Texas | 8,728 | 94% | $11,128 in-state · $23,426 out-of-state |
| Stockton University | Galloway, New Jersey | 7,537 | 89% | $16,266 in-state · $24,524 out-of-state |
| Tarleton State University | Stephenville, Texas | 12,673 | 90% | $8,302 in-state · $18,142 out-of-state |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville, Tennessee | 4,848 | 70% | $8,616 in-state · $22,416 out-of-state |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, Tennessee | 8,698 | 76% | $11,376 in-state · $15,576 out-of-state |
| Texas A & M International University | Laredo, Texas | 6,667 | 44% | $7,894 in-state · $19,454 out-of-state |
| Texas A & M University–Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi, Texas | 8,034 | 89% | $9,748 in-state · $20,794 out-of-state |
| Texas A&M University–Kingsville | Kingsville, Texas | 4,748 | 91% | $9,892 in-state · $25,746 out-of-state |
| Texas Southern University | Houston, Texas | 6,844 | 97% | $9,173 in-state · $21,473 out-of-state |
| Texas Woman's University | Denton, Texas | 8,767 | 96% | $8,640 in-state · $18,480 out-of-state |
| The College of New Jersey | Ewing, New Jersey | 7,105 | 62% | $19,632 in-state · $25,752 out-of-state |
| The University of Montana | Missoula, Montana | 7,488 | 96% | $8,552 in-state · $33,671 out-of-state |
| The University of Tennessee–Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Tennessee | 10,074 | 81% | $10,448 in-state · $18,512 out-of-state |
| The University of Tennessee–Martin | Martin, Tennessee | 4,866 | 88% | $10,560 in-state · $16,600 out-of-state |
| The University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, Texas | 7,440 | 94% | $9,736 in-state · $25,494 out-of-state |
| Troy University | Troy, Alabama | 9,805 | 96% | $10,176 in-state · $20,352 out-of-state |
| University at Albany | Albany, New York | 12,564 | 69% | $10,866 in-state · $31,256 out-of-state |
| University of Akron | Akron, Ohio | 9,052 | 60% | $13,135 in-state · $20,815 out-of-state |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, Alabama | 11,635 | 88% | $9,098 in-state · $22,562 out-of-state |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, Alabama | 6,591 | 69% | $12,132 in-state · $26,408 out-of-state |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, Arkansas | 4,949 | 59% | $9,748 in-state · $22,158 out-of-state |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, Arkansas | 7,762 | 89% | $10,523 in-state · $18,023 out-of-state |
| University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, Missouri | 5,648 | 64% | $10,050 in-state · $18,600 out-of-state |
| University of Central Oklahoma | Edmond, Oklahoma | 10,170 | 78% | $8,818 in-state · $19,704 out-of-state |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, Colorado | 8,697 | 97% | $10,149 in-state · $24,336 out-of-state |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, Colorado | 10,519 | 75% | $10,383 in-state · $29,391 out-of-state |
| University of Houston–Downtown | Houston, Texas | 12,555 | 90% | $7,708 in-state · $17,548 out-of-state |
| University of Idaho | Moscow, Idaho | 7,747 | 76% | $9,084 in-state · $28,320 out-of-state |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, Louisiana | 12,428 | 87% | $10,418 in-state · $24,146 out-of-state |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, Louisiana | 5,022 | 85% | $9,190 in-state · $21,290 out-of-state |
| University of Louisville | Louisville, Kentucky | 14,727 | 79% | $13,136 in-state · $29,482 out-of-state |
| University of Maine | Orono, Maine | 8,496 | 97% | $13,326 in-state · $36,756 out-of-state |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Princess Anne, Maryland | 2,391 | 96% | $9,076 in-state · $20,122 out-of-state |
| University of Maryland–Baltimore County | Baltimore, Maryland | 10,701 | 72% | $13,256 in-state · $31,275 out-of-state |
| University of Massachusetts–Boston | Boston, Massachusetts | 11,512 | 84% | $15,908 in-state · $38,125 out-of-state |
| University of Massachusetts–Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | 5,221 | 91% | $15,612 in-state · $32,567 out-of-state |
| University of Massachusetts–Lowell | Lowell, Massachusetts | 11,434 | 83% | $16,966 in-state · $36,264 out-of-state |
| University of Memphis | Memphis, Tennessee | 12,701 | 72% | $10,728 in-state · $15,384 out-of-state |
| University of Michigan–Dearborn | Dearborn, Michigan | 5,952 | 56% | $15,640 in-state · $32,896 out-of-state |
| University of Michigan–Flint | Flint, Michigan | 4,411 | 70% | $14,704 in-state · $28,320 out-of-state |
| University of Minnesota–Duluth | Duluth, Minnesota | 7,336 | 89% | $14,610 in-state · $20,130 out-of-state |
| University of Missouri–Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri | 6,817 | 72% | $12,587 in-state · $30,227 out-of-state |
| University of Missouri–St Louis | Saint Louis, Missouri | 5,024 | 63% | $14,112 in-state · $35,112 out-of-state |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | Kearney, Nebraska | 4,088 | 89% | $8,676 in-state · $15,284 out-of-state |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, Nebraska | 11,488 | 87% | $8,718 in-state · $23,206 out-of-state |
| University of New Hampshire | Durham, New Hampshire | 11,261 | 88% | $19,202 in-state · $39,852 out-of-state |
| University of New Orleans | New Orleans, Louisiana | 4,638 | 74% | $9,172 in-state · $14,008 out-of-state |
| University of North Alabama | Florence, Alabama | 5,811 | 87% | $12,120 in-state · $22,320 out-of-state |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, North Carolina | 14,922 | 64% | $7,277 in-state · $24,152 out-of-state |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, North Carolina | 14,062 | 89% | $7,661 in-state · $24,012 out-of-state |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke, North Carolina | 5,330 | 93% | $3,648 in-state · $7,648 out-of-state |
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, North Dakota | 9,981 | 77% | $10,951 in-state · $15,570 out-of-state |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville, Florida | 13,359 | 53% | $6,389 in-state · $20,793 out-of-state |
| University of North Texas at Dallas | Dallas, Texas | 2,878 | 84% | $9,595 in-state · $21,894 out-of-state |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, Colorado | 5,598 | 86% | $12,416 in-state · $27,266 out-of-state |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, Iowa | 7,529 | 93% | $9,936 in-state · $21,712 out-of-state |
| University of Pittsburgh–Bradford | Bradford, Pennsylvania | 995 | 89% | $14,770 in-state · $26,644 out-of-state |
| University of Puerto Rico–Rio Piedras | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 8,572 | 55% | $5,354 |
| University of Rhode Island | Kingston, Rhode Island | 13,381 | 72% | $16,942 in-state · $37,146 out-of-state |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, Alabama | 8,879 | 71% | $10,116 in-state · $19,092 out-of-state |
| University of South Carolina–Upstate | Spartanburg, South Carolina | 4,038 | 67% | $11,588 in-state · $23,090 out-of-state |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion, South Dakota | 5,439 | 99% | $9,432 in-state · $12,942 out-of-state |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, Indiana | 5,292 | 96% | $10,066 in-state · $22,907 out-of-state |
| University of Southern Maine | Portland, Maine | 4,222 | 79% | $11,284 in-state · $27,944 out-of-state |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | 10,075 | 99% | $9,998 in-state · $11,998 out-of-state |
| University of Toledo | Toledo, Ohio | 9,770 | 92% | $12,744 in-state · $22,104 out-of-state |
| University of Vermont | Burlington, Vermont | 11,743 | 65% | $19,058 in-state · $45,502 out-of-state |
| University of Washington–Bothell | Bothell, Washington | 5,457 | 91% | $12,919 in-state · $43,155 out-of-state |
| University of Washington–Tacoma | Tacoma, Washington | 4,185 | 83% | $13,168 in-state · $43,404 out-of-state |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, Florida | 9,330 | 58% | $6,360 in-state · $19,241 out-of-state |
| University of West Georgia | Carrollton, Georgia | 7,520 | 52% | $6,088 in-state · $17,800 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | 8,895 | 82% | $9,642 in-state · $19,228 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–La Crosse | La Crosse, Wisconsin | 9,277 | 76% | $10,070 in-state · $19,517 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | 6,877 | 86% | $8,532 in-state · $16,446 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Platteville | Platteville, Wisconsin | 5,837 | 89% | $8,644 in-state · $17,603 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–River Falls | River Falls, Wisconsin | 4,205 | 82% | $9,008 in-state · $17,470 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | 7,306 | 92% | $9,488 in-state · $18,508 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Stout | Menomonie, Wisconsin | 5,842 | 88% | $10,701 in-state · $19,265 out-of-state |
| University of Wisconsin–Whitewater | Whitewater, Wisconsin | 9,405 | 86% | $8,616 in-state · $18,716 out-of-state |
| University of Wyoming | Laramie, Wyoming | 7,944 | 97% | $7,768 in-state · $24,178 out-of-state |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta, Georgia | 6,622 | 72% | $6,124 in-state · $17,836 out-of-state |
| Vermont State University | Randolph, Vermont | 3,590 | 82% | $11,952 in-state · $22,296 out-of-state |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester, Pennsylvania | 14,164 | 78% | $10,775 in-state · $22,599 out-of-state |
| West Texas A & M University | Canyon, Texas | 6,917 | 99% | $9,101 in-state · $10,996 out-of-state |
| Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, North Carolina | 10,024 | 82% | $4,630 in-state · $8,630 out-of-state |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, Connecticut | 3,511 | 87% | $13,401 in-state · $16,901 out-of-state |
| Western Illinois University | Macomb, Illinois | 4,410 | 71% | $15,264 |
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, Kentucky | 12,155 | 94% | $11,652 in-state · $27,000 out-of-state |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, Michigan | 12,568 | 85% | $15,252 in-state · $19,034 out-of-state |
| Western Washington University | Bellingham, Washington | 13,544 | 93% | $9,582 in-state · $28,707 out-of-state |
| Westfield State University | Westfield, Massachusetts | 3,615 | 81% | $12,179 in-state · $18,259 out-of-state |
| Wichita State University | Wichita, Kansas | 10,780 | 94% | $9,684 in-state · $19,869 out-of-state |
| William & Mary | Williamsburg, Virginia | 7,055 | 34% | $25,914 in-state · $51,038 out-of-state |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey | Wayne, New Jersey | 6,614 | 90% | $15,704 in-state · $25,344 out-of-state |
| Winona State University | Winona, Minnesota | 5,144 | 75% | $10,576 in-state · $17,308 out-of-state |
| Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | 4,170 | 78% | $6,126 in-state · $16,782 out-of-state |
| Winthrop University | Rock Hill, South Carolina | 3,523 | 79% | $14,678 in-state · $28,676 out-of-state |
| Worcester State University | Worcester, Massachusetts | 3,930 | 88% | $11,786 in-state · $17,866 out-of-state |
| Wright State University | Dayton, Ohio | 6,762 | 96% | $11,522 in-state · $21,222 out-of-state |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown, Ohio | 7,961 | 84% | $11,113 in-state · $11,473 out-of-state |
Sources: IPEDS (fall 2024 enrollment and admissions); College Scorecard (published tuition and fees before aid, about 2023–24). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Related lists
- Smaller Public Universities in the Northeast
- Smaller Public Universities in the Southeast
- Smaller Public Universities in the Midwest
- Smaller Public Universities in the South and Southwest
- Smaller Public Universities in the Mountain West
- Smaller Public Universities on the West Coast
FAQ
Which smaller public universities admit at least half of applicants? 232 of the 242: Alabama A & M University, Angelo State University, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, Austin Peay State University, Ball State University, Bemidji State University, Bowie State University, Bowling Green State University, Bridgewater State University, CUNY Brooklyn College, CUNY City College and 220 more (fall 2024).
What are the largest and smallest smaller public universities? University of North Carolina Wilmington is the largest, with 14,922 undergraduates, and University of Pittsburgh–Bradford is the smallest, with 995 (fall 2024).
Where these numbers come from
Lens covers the 850 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges that receive the most applications, so some smaller colleges are not listed. Enrollment, acceptance rates and degrees come from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education, fall 2024); published prices from the College Scorecard. Each college's page lists its own sources. See the data behind Lens.