Public Ivies in the USA: List of Institutes, Tuition Fees, and Admission Guide
Public Ivies are the state or public universities in the USA that offer a similar level of education, networking opportunities, and teaching experience as those of the Ivy League. ‘Public Ivy’ is an informal term coined by Richard Moll in 1985, who served as an admission officer at Yale University. The original list was published in his book ‘Public Ivies:
A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities, consisting of 8 public Ivies. Since then, the list has been revised several times due to changes in the criteria for evaluating these institutions.
In this blog, we will discuss the Public Ivy universities in the USA, along with their rankings, tuition fees, and admission processes.
- Backstory of Public Ivies in the USA
- Comparison between Public Ivies and Ivy League in the USA
- Advantages of Studying at Public Ivies in the USA
- List of Public Ivies in the USA
- Popular Courses to Study at Public Ivies
- General Requirements for Admission into Public Ivies in 2025
- Required Documents for Public Ivies in the USA
- Application Process for Public Ivies Universities
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
Backstory of Public Ivies in the USA
- The backstory of the formation of Public Ivy schools in the USA is quite interesting.Â
- It’s a common perception that Public Ivies were created as a rivalry with the Ivy League, but this was not the case.Â
- In reality, there is no official recognition of ‘Public Ivies.’Â
- The term was coined by Richard Moll, an admissions officer at Yale University, who visited several public universities in the USA.Â
- He was impressed with the academic rigour, faculty, campus life, and networking opportunities they provided.Â
- He compared these universities to the established Ivy League schools, noting that they offered similar levels of education at a more affordable price.
- In 1985, Moll published a list of 8 public universities in his book ‘Public Ivies: A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities.’
- Since then, the list has been revised several times due to changes in the criteria for evaluating these institutions.
Comparison between Public Ivies and Ivy League in the USA
Below, we have provided a tabular comparison between Public Ivies and Ivy League universities in the USA on the basis of ownership, funding, tuition fees, location, and admissions.
| Public Ivies | Ivy League |
|---|---|
| These universities are owned by the government | These universities are privately owned |
| No formal membership, it is an unofficial term | Official group of 8 universities |
| Universities are located all over the USA | Universities are located within the Northeastern part of the USA |
| Tuition fees are lower due to state subsidy | High tuition fees due to private funding |
| Admissions are highly competitive but less selective compared to Ivy League Schools | Admissions are extremely selective, with a lower acceptance rate |
Advantages of Studying at Public Ivies in the USA
The Public Ivy universities in the USA offer the same level of academic rigour, quality of education, research opportunities, networking, and campus life as Ivy League universities. In other words, these institutes can be better alternatives to the Ivy League in the USA.
Higher Quality of Education at Lower Cost
Public Ivies provide a high quality of education to international students in the fields of STEM, business management, humanities, natural sciences, etc., at a lower cost compared to Ivy League institutions.
| Undergraduate Courses | Post-Graduate Courses | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Ivies | USD 55,000-65,000 | USD 40,000-60,000 |
| Ivy League Universities | USD 30,000-45,000 | USD 25,000-50,000 |
Diversity in Location
- Ivy League universities are specifically located in urban towns and metro cities such as New York, Boston, Pennsylvania, etc., which might appeal more to those students who are drawn to urban environments.
- Public Ivies are spread across the entire USA, from California to Virginia, which provides them with a broader range of locations to consider.
- Students also consider other factors such as cost of living, preferences for cultural and social experience, climate, regional reputation and influence, etc., which are applicable in this scenario.
Less Competitive Admission Process
The Public Ivies in the USA have rigorous criteria to admit international students, but in comparison to Ivy League universities, international students have slightly higher chances of admission due to a diverse applicant pool, higher acceptance rate (more than 20%), and large campus sizes.
Networking & Alumni Connections
- The Public Ivies also have a stronger and more extensive alumni network that offers networking opportunities for Indian students.Â
- The alumni of Public Ivies are highly successful, especially in industries connected to the university’s region.
Campus Environment and Size
- Public Ivies are world-renowned for hosting a much more diverse student body than the Ivy League because they have larger campuses to accommodate them.Â
- They include more students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
List of Public Ivies in the USA
Since Public Ivy is an unofficial term and does not denote formal membership, the list may vary over time as universities may be added or removed from it.
| Universities | QS World University Rankings 2025 | Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| University of California, Berkeley | 12 | USD 44,000 |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 42 | USD 43,000 |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | 44 | USD 60,946 |
| University of Texas at Austin | 66 | USD 40,000 |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 69 | USD 32,574 |
| University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | 72 | USD 44,008 |
| University of Washington | 76 | USD 38,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | 116 | USD 36,805 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 155 | USD 36,000 |
| University of Virginia | 297 | USD 55,000 |
Popular Courses to Study at Public Ivies
The top popular courses to study at Public Ivies are listed below.
- Architecture
- Biological Sciences
- Business Management
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Engineering Technology
- Film & Television
- Journalism
- Law
- Medicine
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Public Health
General Requirements for Admission into Public Ivies in 2025
The general requirements for admission into Public Ivies are as follows.
Academic Prerequisite
For getting admission into bachelor’s level programs, Indian applicants must have
- Completed 10+2 education from a government-recognised school of CBSE/ISC/state board with at least 70-90% grade, depending on the prospective university and course.
For getting admission into master’s level programs, Indian applicants must have
- Completed 3-4 years of bachelor’s degree from a government-recognised college/university with at least 65-90% grade, depending on the prospective university and course.
Standardised Tests
Some Public Ivy schools provide standardised test waiver options, but submitting SAT/ACT/GMAT/GRE scores can enhance the application.
| Standardised Tests | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| SAT | 1500-1580 |
| ACT | 34-36 |
| GMAT | 700-720 |
| GRE | 330 |
English Language Test Scores
Although Public Ivy colleges and universities in the USA provide alternatives to required English language proficiency tests, submitting the score (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo) can enhance admission chances.
| English Language Proficiency Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | 100-110 |
| IELTS | 7.0-7.5 |
| PTE | 65-70 |
| Duolingo | 110-125 |
Extracurricular Activities
- Having a profound background of participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, club activities, internships, and projects, relevant to the desired course of study can demonstrate a strong candidature for Public Ivies.
- Along with this, any significant awards or recognition from local, state, or national level competitions can strengthen the application.
Interview and Portfolio
- International students may be required to appear in an interview or submit a portfolio, depending on the course and university.
- Through these, applicants can showcase their expertise in the relevant field of interest and claim their candidature for the particular program.
Required Documents for Public Ivies in the USA
The following is a list of documents that need to be submitted while applying for the Public Ivies in the USA.
- All previous academic transcripts
- 1 CV/Resume
- 1-2 Statements of Purpose
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
- Standardised Test Scorecards (depending on course/study level)
- GMAT
- GRE
- TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo etc.
- ACT
- SAT
- Application Fee (depending on the university)
- WES Evaluation Report
- Work Experience Letter/Portfolio (if required)
- Certificate for Extracurricular Activities
- Passport
Application Process for Public Ivies Universities
The application process for Public Ivies universities is discussed below.
- The preparation to apply for a particular study program at Public Ivy University should be started at least 9-12 months before the onset of the application process.
- This provides ample time for international students to go through the details of the courses and universities and organise relevant documents for the admission process.
- First, shortlist at least 7-8 best Public Ivy universities, based on your preference, such as the availability of courses, rankings, tuition fees, reviews from alumni, financial aid options, etc.
- Visit their official website to go through the specific details for the application process.
- Prepare and appear for the standardised tests as mentioned above and gather their scorecards.
- Gather and organise all other documents required for application.
- When the application window opens, start applying for the desired study program by visiting the university’s official website.
- Submit the documents and make payment for the application fee (if applicable)
- Submit the application and print out the receipt.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
It is a common public perception that quality education always comes with a high price tag, but this is not always the case. Public Ivies are an example of this, as international students can access the same educational and research opportunities offered by Ivy League schools but at a more affordable cost.
Although the term ‘Public Ivies’ is unofficial, it holds significant meaning for those who wish to pursue higher education at state universities in the USA.
FAQs
Are public Ivy League universities similar to Public Ivies in the USA?
There is no official term like ‘Public Ivy League universities,’ as ‘Ivy League’ is a formal designation referring to a group of prestigious private universities in the northeastern USA.
Using the former term may create confusion or misconception among the general public and students who are not familiar with it.
What is the average cost of study at Public Ivies for international students?
For international students, the average cost of study at Public Ivies generally depends on the level of course, program, and the university. It ranges between USD 55,000-65,000 or INR 47 Lakhs-56 Lakhs per year and USD 34,000-52,000 per year.
What are the popular courses at Public Ivies in the USA?
Some of the popular courses at Public Ivies in the USA are business management, biological sciences, computer science, engineering and technology, journalism, law, public health, etc.
What is the minimum TOEFL score required to study in Public Ivies universities?
The minimum TOEFL score required to study in Public Ivies is around 100-110. It might vary depending on the academic program and institution.
When should I apply for the Public Ivies?
For regular study programs, it is advisable to apply to Public Ivies between late August and December (fall intake) and August and November (spring intake), depending on the course and institute.
