When many people picture a US college, they imagine ivy-clad buildings, historic libraries, and a prestigious college name proudly emblazoned on a sweatshirt. The ‘Ivy League’ has become a symbol of academic prestige and aspiration. However, the official Ivy League schools also come with hefty price tags and single-digit admit rates. 

The good news: you don’t need to land an Ivy League offer to access an extraordinary education. This is where the ‘Public Ivies’ come in – a group of top public universities with a long-standing reputation for offering an outstanding education, often at a much lower cost, especially for in-state students. 

​​What Does ‘Public Ivy’ Mean?

‘Public Ivy’ is a term sometimes used to denote a public university that offers a college experience comparable to the Ivy League: rigorous academics, highly qualified faculty, strong research and career outcomes, and a vibrant campus life – but with the broader access and public mission of a state institution. 

By contrast, the Ivy League is a formal athletic conference of eight private universities in the Northeast and includes Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale. For a deep dive into these institutions, check out our guide to the Ivy League schools. 

Over time, the term “Ivy League” has come to signal academic status. “Public Ivy” emerged as a term to recognise public universities that offer some of the same benefits as an Ivy League school but without the same level of exclusivity or price.

In practical terms, Public Ivy schools tend to share:

• Academic rigor – with strong faculty across disciplines. Students are challenged through demanding coursework and a culture that encourages intellectual depth and curiosity.
• Admissions selectivity – while not as uniformly selective as the Ivy League, many Public Ivies have extremely competitive applicant pools. In-state applicants often have an advantage, while out-of-state and international applicants face steeper odds.
• Research depth – significant funding, labs, and faculty-led projects
• Name recognition – especially with employers and graduate programs
• Scale and access – larger, more diverse student bodies and lower in-state tuition

Is There An Official List Of Public Ivy Schools?

The short answer is no. The term ‘Public Ivy’ was first coined in 1985 by Richard Moll, a former Yale admissions officer, in his book Public Ivies: A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities. Moll identified a group of public universities he believed “provided an Ivy League collegiate experience at a public school price,” plus a set of “worthy runners-up.” 

A decade and a half later, college guide authors Howard and Matthew Greene published The Public Ivies: America’s Flagship Public Universities, expanding the idea to 30 schools across the country – sometimes called the Greenes’ Public Ivy list. 

Since then, various publications and articles have put forth slightly different lists, and there is no officially recognized list of Public Ivies. It is instead a loosely defined term that refers to a group of government funded universities that are widely recognized for their prestige. 

The Original Public Ivies (Richard Moll’s List)

In 1985, Richard Moll highlighted these eight public institutions as his core Public Ivies: 

• College of William & Mary – Historic campus, strengths in history, government, and international relations
• Miami University (Ohio) – Strong liberal arts focus and leadership development
• The University of California system – At the time, including Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, Davis, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Riverside
• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) – powerhouse in engineering, business, and social sciences
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – known for journalism, business, medicine, and liberal arts
• University of Texas at Austin – major centre for engineering, business, and computing
• University of Vermont – strong tradition in liberal arts and environmental studies
• University of Virginia – noted for humanities, law, and public policy

He also named nine “worthy runners-up”:  University of Colorado Boulder, Georgia Tech, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, New College of Florida, Penn State, the University of Washington, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the University of Pittsburgh, and Binghamton University. 

How The Public Ivy Concept Expanded

In 2001, Howard and Matthew Greene published a more extensive guide, identifying 30 “flagship public universities” they believed offered an Ivy-caliber education. Their list, organised by region, is as follows: 

Northeastern

• Pennsylvania State University (University Park)
• Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey)
• State University of New York at Binghamton
• University of Connecticut (Storrs)

Mid-Atlantic

• College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)
• University of Delaware (Newark)
• University of Maryland, College Park
• University of Virginia (Charlottesville)

Western

• University of Arizona (Tucson)
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Irvine
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of California, San Diego
• University of California, Santa Barbara
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Washington (Seattle)

Great Lakes and Midwest

• Indiana University Bloomington
• Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
• Michigan State University (East Lansing)
• Ohio State University (Columbus)
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Iowa (Iowa City)
• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• University of Wisconsin–Madison

Southern

• University of Florida (Gainesville)
• University of Georgia (Athens)
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Texas at Austin

Forbes 2025 “New Ivies”

In March 2025, Forbes published its list of “New Ivies” – 20 colleges (10 public, 10 private) that employers say produce some of the most in-demand graduates. The ranking was based on a survey of 380+ employers, plus admissions factors like test scores and selectivity. 

Public universities on the “New Ivies” list included: 

• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Purdue University
• University of Texas at Austin
• United States Military Academy
• University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
• University of Michigan
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Virginia
• College of William & Mary

Several of these overlap with existing Public Ivy lists – such as Michigan, Virginia, UNC, and William & Mary. However, the University of California campuses were excluded because they do not report test scores, reflecting the limitations of rankings methodologies. 

Top Public Universities: Today’s “Public Ivies”

As we’ve established, there is no official list of Public Ivies. Here is a selection of schools that today are often recognized at Public Ivies and are popular targets for ambitious candidates – however this is not an exhaustive list: 

How Public Ivies Compare To The Ivy League

Public Ivies and Ivy League schools share many qualities: rigorous academics, strong reputations, and outstanding post-graduate outcomes. However, they differ significantly in structure, scale, and student experience. The table below highlights a few key distinctions to help families understand how these two categories of institutions compare.

Benefits Of Attending A Public Ivy

A Public Ivy can offer the best of both worlds: the academic rigor and prestige of an elite university combined with the scale, access, and diversity of a major public institution. Some of the most compelling advantages include:

1. Prestigious Outcomes Without Ivy-Level Pricing

Degrees from Public Ivies such as Michigan, Berkeley, Virginia, and UNC carry global recognition. These universities compete directly with private elites for top faculty, research funding, and high-achieving students, often at a significantly lower cost, especially for in-state families.

2. Better (Though Still Competitive) Odds Of Admission

Public Ivies are selective (particularly for out-of-state applicants) but their acceptance rates are higher than the single-digit admit rates typical of Ivy League schools. This means stronger odds of gaining entry into a top-tier academic environment.

3. Big-Campus Energy And Exceptional Resources

As large research universities, Public Ivies offer extensive academic and extracurricular opportunities: numerous majors and minors, cutting-edge labs and innovation centres, Division I athletics, and vibrant student communities. For students who thrive in dynamic, multifaceted environments, this scale becomes a major asset.

4. Abundant Research, Internship, And Career Pathways

Public Ivies often sit at the heart of their region’s economic ecosystem, connecting students to companies, nonprofits, and research centres. Whether it’s Berkeley’s pipeline into Silicon Valley, Michigan’s automotive and consulting networks, or Texas’s ties to tech and energy, undergraduates can step into meaningful research and internship experiences early on.

5. Expansive And Influential Alumni Networks

Their size works to students’ advantage. Public Ivies produce large alumni communities that span industries and continents. This translates into mentorship opportunities, valuable introductions during a job search, and strong professional affinity across generations.

Challenges And Trade-Offs to Consider

Public Ivies are exceptional institutions, but they may not suit every student. A few important realities are worth weighing as you build a balanced and thoughtful college list.

1. Large Classes, Especially Early On

Introductory courses at major public universities can be very large (i.e. several hundred students), particularly in high-demand majors like computer science and economics. While upper-level seminars tend to be smaller and more discussion-based, students who may be seeking a close-knit academic environment from the outset may feel more at home at a liberal arts college or smaller private university.

2. In-State vs Out-Of-State Realities

Because public universities are funded by their state taxpayers, their charter demands that they admit a substantial proportion of in-state residents. This leads to meaningful differences in:

• Admission rates (typically more favorable for in-state students)
• Tuition levels (notably higher for out-of-state and international applicants)

3. Less Geographic Diversity

Public universities draw heavily from their home state, which means the undergraduate population is often less geographically diverse than at highly selective private institutions. Students may find:

• Fewer peers from across the country or internationally
• Strong regional culture and identity (which some love, while others may find limiting)

This isn’t inherently negative and many students enjoy the sense of place and pride, but it’s an important aspect of cultural fit for applicants to consider. 

4. Sensitivity To State Budgets

Public universities can be affected by fluctuations in state funding. Changes in political priorities or economic conditions may influence faculty hiring, program expansion, student services, or class availability. These institutions are structurally more exposed to budget cycles than heavily endowed private universities.

5. Fit Beyond Rankings

Prestige alone doesn’t determine whether a student will thrive. Large public universities offer scale, diversity, and opportunity, but they can also feel overwhelming for students needing a more intimate or structured environment. Students should prioritise choosing a university based on:

• Academic fit (programs, majors, teaching style)
• Social fit (size, culture, community)
• Financial fit (affordability over four years)

Whether a school carries a “Public Ivy” label matters far less than whether it is a place where you will feel challenged, supported, and motivated to grow.

Is A Public Ivy Right for You?

A top public university can be an outstanding choice for many students, particularly those who want the intellectual challenge and name recognition of a top-tier university combined with the energy, diversity, and opportunity of a large public campus. They appeal to students who are excited by extensive research options, professional pathways, and a vibrant community where there’s always something happening. They’re also a strong fit for in-state families who need to think carefully about cost and value, as in-state tuition fees can make these universities significantly more affordable than private peers of a similar caliber.

At the same time, they aren’t the perfect match for everyone. Students who thrive in small classes and a close-knit community may find the scale of a large public institution overwhelming. And for some families, particularly those who qualify for generous need-based aid, a private university (Ivy League or otherwise) may end up being more affordable than expected.

If you’d like an expert perspective as you shape your target school list, our team at Fortuna is here to help. You can explore our College Roadmap Package or book a free consultation to talk through your student’s path.