Discover the best schools to earn a degree with the top 40 public universities in the world. These universities are consistently ranked among the best universities in the World.
A public university is a university that is funded by the government with public funds. This makes public universities less expensive compared to private universities.
Admission into the top 40 public universities in the World can be competitive. Thousands of students apply to these universities but only a small percentage get admitted.
So, if you want to study in any of the top 40 public universities in the world, you will have to up your game – be among the top 10 students in your class, score high in the required standardized tests, and perform well in other non-academic activities, as these universities also consider non-academic factors.
Table of Contents
Reasons to study in Public Universities
Students are usually confused about whether to choose a private university or a public university. The following reasons will convince you to study at public universities:
1. Affordable
Public universities are mostly funded by federal and state governments, which makes tuition more affordable than private universities.
If you choose to study where you live or your place of origin, you will have the opportunity to pay domestic fees which are cheaper than international fees. You may also be eligible for some discounts on your tuition.
2. More Academic Programs
Most public universities have hundreds of programs at different degree levels because they cater to a large population of students. This is not the case for private universities.
Studying at public universities gives you the opportunity to select from a wide range of study programs.
3. Less Student Debt
Since tuition is affordable there may be no need for student loans. In most cases, public university students graduate with no or less student debt.
Instead of taking loans, students at public universities have easy access to tons of scholarships, grants, and bursaries.
4. Diverse Student Population
Due to the large size of public universities, they admit thousands of students each year, from different states, regions, and countries.
You will have the opportunity to meet students from different races, backgrounds, and ethnic groups.
5. Free Education
Students at public universities can cover the cost of tuition, living costs, and other fees with bursaries, grants, and scholarships.
Some public universities offer free education to students whose parents earn a low income. For example, the University of California.
Also, most public universities in countries like Germany, Norway, Sweden e.t.c are tuition-free.
Top 40 Public Universities in the World
The table below shows the top 40 public universities with their locations:
Top 10 Public Universities in the World
Here is a list of the top 10 Public Universities in the world:
- The University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- The University of California, Berkeley
- Imperial College London
- ETH Zurich
- Tsinghua University
- Peking University
- The University of Toronto
- University College London
- The University of California, Los Angeles.
1. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a public research university located in Oxford, England. It is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second oldest university in the World.
The University of Oxford is the best public university in the World and among the top 5 universities in the World. One interesting fact about Oxford is that it has one of the lowest drop-out rates in the UK.
The University of Oxford offers several undergraduate and postgraduate programs as well as continuing education programs and short online courses.
Annually, Oxford spends £8 million on financial support. UK undergraduates from the lowest-income backgrounds can study for free.
Admission to the University of Oxford is very competitive. Oxford usually has around 3,300 undergraduate places and 5500 graduate places each. Thousands of people apply to the university of oxford but only a small percentage get admitted. Oxford has one of the lowest acceptance rates for Europe universities.
The University of Oxford accepts students with excellent grades. So, you will have to have the best grades and a high GPA to get admitted to Oxford University.
Another interesting fact about Oxford is that Oxford University Press (OUP) is the largest and most successful university press in the World.
2. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is the second-best public university in the World, located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The collegiate research university was founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by Henry III in 1231.
Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s third oldest surviving university. It has more than 20,000 students from 150 countries.
The University of Cambridge offers 30 undergraduate courses and more than 300 postgraduate courses in
- Arts and Humanities
- Biological Sciences
- Clinical Medicine
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Physical sciences
- Technology
Each year, the University of Cambridge awards over £100m in scholarships to new postgraduate students. The University of Cambridge also offers financial assistance to undergraduate students.
3. University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, established in 1868.
UC Berkeley is the state’s first land-grant university and the first campus of the University of California System.
There are over 350 degree programs at UC, available in
- Arts and Humanities
- Biological sciences
- Business
- Design
- Economic Development & Sustainability
- Education
- Engineering & Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Multidisciplinary
- Natural Resources & Environment
- Physical Sciences
- Pre-health/Medicine
- Law
- Social sciences.
UC Berkeley is one of the most selective universities in the USA. It uses a holistic review process for admission – this means that apart from academic factors, UC Berkeley considers non-academic to admit students.
UC Berkeley offers financial aid based on financial need, except fellowships, honorary scholarships, teaching and research appointments, and prizes. Most scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and financial needs.
Students who are eligible for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan pay no tuition at UC Berkeley.
4. Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public university located in South Kensington, London, United Kingdom. It is consistently ranked among the best universities in the world.
In 1907, the Royal College of Science, the Royal School of Mines, and the City & Guilds College were merged to create Imperial College London.
Imperial College London offers several programs within:
- Science
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Business
Imperial offers financial assistance to students in form of bursaries, scholarships, loans, and grants.
5. ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of the best public universities in the World, known for its science and technology programs. It has been existing since 1854 when it was founded by the Swiss Federal Government to educate engineers and scientists.
Just like most top universities in the world, ETH Zurich is a competitive school. It has a low acceptance rate.
ETH Zurich offers bachelor’s degree programs, master’s degree programs, and doctoral degree programs in the following subject areas:
- Architecture and Civil Engineering
- Engineering Sciences
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- System-oriented Natural Sciences
- Humanities, Social, and Political Science.
The main teaching language at ETH Zurich is German. However, most master’s degree programs are taught in English, while some require knowledge of both English and German, and some are taught in German.
6. Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University is a public research university located in the Haidian district of Beijing, China. Founded in 1911 as Tsinghua Imperial College.
Tsinghua University offers 87 undergraduate majors and 41 minor degree majors, and several graduate programs. Programs at Tsinghua University are available in these categories:
- Science
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Law
- Medicine
- History
- Philosophy
- Economics
- Management
- Education and
- Arts.
Courses at Tsinghua University are taught in Chinese and English. Over 500 courses are taught in English.
Tsinghua University also provides financial assistance to students.
7. Peking University
Peking University is a public research university located in Beijing, China. Established in 1898 as the Imperial University of Peking.
Peking University offers over 128 undergraduate programs, 284 graduate programs, and 262 doctoral programs, across eight faculties:
- Science
- Information & Engineering
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Economics & Management
- Health Science
- Interdisciplinary and
- Graduate School.
The Peking University library is the largest in Asia, with a collection of 7,331 million books, as well as Chinese and foreign journals, and newspapers.
Courses at Peking University are taught in Chinese and English.
8. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1827 as King’s College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada.
The University of Toronto is the best university in Canada, with over 97,000 students including more than 21,130 international students from 170 countries and regions.
U of T offers over 1000 programs of study in:
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Physical & Mathematical Sciences
- Commerce & Management
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Kinesiology & Physical Education
- Music
- Architecture
The University of Toronto offers financial aid in form of scholarships and grants.
9. University College London
The University of College London is a public research university located in London, UK, founded in 1826. It is the second-largest university in the UK by total enrollment and the largest by postgraduate enrollment. It was also the first university in England to welcome women to university education.
UCL offers more than 440 undergraduate and 675 postgraduate degree programs, as well as short courses. These programs are offered in 11 faculties:
- Arts & Humanities
- Built Environment
- Brain Sciences
- Engineering Sciences
- IOE
- Law
- Life Sciences
- Mathematical & Physical Sciences
- Medical Sciences
- Population Health Sciences
- Social & Historical Sciences.
UCL offers financial aid in form of loans, bursaries, and scholarships. There is financial support to assist students with fees and living costs. The UK undergraduate bursary provides support to UK undergraduates with a household income below £42,875.
10. University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles is a public land-grant research university located in Los Angeles, California, established in 1882.
UCLA has about 46,000 students, including 5400 international students, from over 118 countries.
University of California, Los Angeles is a highly selective school. In 2021, UCLA admitted 15,028 out of 138,490 freshman undergraduate applicants.
UCLA offers more than 250 programs in these areas:
- Physical Sciences, Math & Engineering
- Economics and Business
- Life Sciences and Health
- Psychological and Neurological Sciences
- Social Sciences and Public Affairs
- Humanities and Arts.
UCLA offers financial aid in form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study to students who require assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Top 5 Public Universities in the World?
The top 5 public universities in the World are: • The University of Oxford, • UK University of Cambridge, • UK The University of California, • Berkeley, US Imperial College London, • UK ETH Zurich, Switzerland
What is the Best University in the World?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the best university in the World, known for its science and engineering programs. MIT is a private research university located in Massachusetts, Cambridge, United States.
What is the Best Public University in the US?
University of California, Berkeley is the best public university in America and also among the top 10 best universities in the World. It is a public research university located in Berkeley, California.
Does the University of Hong Kong teach in English?
HKU courses are taught in English, except for courses in Chinese language and literature. Courses in the arts, humanities, business, engineering, sciences, and social sciences are taught in English.
Is Tsinghua University the Best University in China?
Tsinghua University is the No.1 university in China. It is also consistently ranked among the best universities in the World.
What is the No.1 University in Canada?
University of Toronto (U of T) is the best university in Canada, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the first institution of learning in Upper Canada.
Are the Universities in Germany free?
Both domestic and international undergraduates at public universities in Germany can study for free. However, only tuition is free, other fees will be paid for.
We Also Recommend:
- 10 Best Dental Schools in Florida
- Best Public and Private High Schools in the World
- Best Medical Schools in Florida
- 20 Best Medical Schools in the Philippines
- Top 15 Boarding Schools for Low-income Families.
Conclusion
The top 40 universities in the world offer varieties of degrees from associate to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorates. So, you have a wide range of degree programs to select from.
We have now come to the end of this article on the top 40 public universities in the World. Which of these universities do you like? Let us know in the Comment Section.
