When it comes to recruiting talent, the pool at public universities continues to grow. There are about 8 million students enrolled in public 4-year colleges, accounting for roughly 43% of all college students in the United States, which are home to a diverse slate of candidates. In fact, nearly 80% of Hispanic and Latinx students, 70% of Black students, and 77% of American Indian or Alaska Native students attend public universities. With so many potential candidates from a variety of backgrounds, it is important to target the right schools when creating a campus recruiting strategy.
Below are 20 public universities at the top of their game and well worth considering for your recruitment efforts:
University of California, Berkeley
Location: Berkely, CA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 32,143
U.S. News Ranking: #1 in Top Public Schools
The University of California, Berkeley, also known as Cal, was founded in 1868 and is home to 14 schools and colleges, including several graduate and professional schools. It is home to world-renowned research institutes, including the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and the Space Sciences Laboratory. The school’s vision is to “contribute even more than California’s gold to the glory and happiness of advancing generations.” They are also ranked by U.S. News as #3 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. With over 350 degree programs, 9 Nobel prizes held by current faculty and 35 by alums, and 98 national championships won by Cal teams, Berkeley is an ideal university for recruiting students. Notable alums include Justice Earl Warren, Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, and many others.
University of California, Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 32,119
U.S. News Ranking: #2 in Top Public Schools
UCLA, the second-ranked school on our list, is a public research university located in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1919 and offers over 125 majors across six academic divisions. The student body comprises over 32,000 students from all 50 states and 118 countries. UCLA has consistently been ranked among the best higher education institutions in the world and is currently #20 in the list of Best Colleges in National Universities, according to U.S. News. They also rank in the top 10 for various programs, including mathematics, psychology, social work, and sociology. Notable alums include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jackie Robinson, and more.
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 32,282
U.S. News Ranking: #3 in Top Public Schools (tie)
Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor is a public research university located 45 minutes outside of Detroit and is the oldest university in Michigan. The school offers over 280 degree programs in 14 schools and colleges, offering many academic opportunities. In addition to its well-rounded educational offerings, the university maintains a robust athletic program with 29 varsity teams competing in NCAA Division I sports with 57 team national championships and 324 individual national titles. In terms of Research at Michigan, they rank #3 in research volume among U.S. research universities. Notable alums include Tom Brady, Gerald Ford, James Earl Jones, and many others.
University of Virginia
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 17,299
U.S. News Ranking: #3 in Top Public Schools (tie)
Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University of Virginia is one of the most highly regarded universities in the country. They offer over 100 undergraduate majors and programs across 11 schools and colleges. In addition to ranking #3 in public schools by U.S. News, they rank #8 in Business programs, #15 in nursing, #25 in National Universities, and offer the #1 public law school. The most popular majors include liberal arts, social sciences, engineering, and business. Notable alums include Tina Fey, Paul Tudor Jones, Woodrow Wilson, and Katie Couric.
University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, FL
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 41,180
U.S. News Ranking: #5 in Top Public Schools (tie)
Since 1853, the University of Florida has become one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive institutions. The land-grant research university serves over 60,000 students annually across 16 colleges. Additionally, it is the only university in Florida that belongs to the Association of American Universities, the top 64 research institutions in the U.S. Ranked #29 in national universities, #8 in biological and agricultural programs, and #22 in nursing, the University of Florida offers world-class academics, athletics, and research opportunities. The most popular majors are engineering, business, biological and biomedical sciences, and social sciences. Notable alums include Bob Vila, Steve Spurrier, Bob Graham, and Connie Mack.
University of North Carolina
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 19,897
U.S. News Ranking: #5 in Top Public Schools (tie)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, also known as UNC, is a public research university and the oldest public university in the United States. Established in 1789, UNC has a prestigious reputation for its excellent academic programs, as evidenced by its rank of 29th among National Universities by U.S. News. Along with 95 bachelor’s degrees, UNC offers 104 master’s degrees, 65 doctoral degree programs, and seven professional degree programs. In addition, the school now boasts 54 Rhodes Scholars and 40 Luce Scholars for internship in Asia. The most popular majors at UNC are social sciences, biological sciences, communication, multi/interdisciplinary studies, and computer and information sciences. Notable alums include Michael Jordan, Rick Fox, James K. Polk, and John Edwards.
University of California, Santa Barbara
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 26,179
U.S. News Ranking: #7 in Top Public Schools
Founded in 1909, the University of California, Santa Barbara is home to 10 National Institutes and Centers, including the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Materials Research Laboratory, both funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Army-funded Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies. The UCSB faculty includes 45 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s top honorary societies. With over 200 majors, degrees, and credentials, nearly 30,000 students can tailor their education to fit their passions and interests. Popular majors include social sciences, biological sciences, mathematics & statistics, and communication.
University of California, Irvine
Location: Irvine, CA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 29,449
U.S. News Ranking: #8 in Top Public Schools (tie)
As #34 in national universities, the University of California, Irvine, is a research institution in Orange County specializing in cancer and neuroscience studies through the highly ranked UC Irvine Medical Center. Recognized for its diverse academic offerings and world-class leadership, UC Irvine is a terrific school to recruit from. UCI is 1 of 66 universities in the U.S. and Canada elected to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities and has three faculty members, one postdoctoral scholar, and one alumnus who has received a Nobel Prize. The school is also considered a Hispanic-serving institution, with over 25% of its population identifying as Latinx. The most popular programs at UCI include health-related knowledge and skills, psychology, business, engineering, and computer science.
University of California, San Diego
Location: San Diego, CA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 33,343
U.S. News Ranking: #8 in Top Public Schools (tie)
The University of California, San Diego, offers six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions and five graduate and professional schools in La Jolla, just north of San Diego. Recognized as a top 15 research university globally, UCSD provides a collaborative environment with $1.64 billion in Sponsored research funding. Over one-third of the school’s first-year or transfer students are first-generation college students. The most popular majors are cognitive science, computer science, anatomy, international studies, and economics. Notable alums include Guy Tribble and Bill Atkinson, who helped create the first MacIntosh, and Mike Judge, actor and creator of “Office Space” and “King of the Hill”.
University of California, Davis
Location: Davis, CA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 31,657
U.S. News Ranking: #10 in Top Public Schools (tie)
Another of the ten schools in the University of California system, UC Davis, is just 15 miles from Sacramento. The 4-year school was founded in 1908 and offers 107 academic majors, six professional schools, and 101 graduate degrees. In 2021-2022, they received a record-breaking $1 billion+ in research funding. The UC Davis Medical Center serves nearly 30,000 patients and handles nearly 1 million visits annually. It’s an incredibly hands-on program, with 50% of undergraduate students conducting research and creative projects beyond the classroom. Lastly, the school has a minority enrollment of 70%, making it an ideal place to recruit for diversity.
University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, TX
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 40,916
U.S. News Ranking: #10 in Top Public Schools (tie)
As the #1 public university in Texas and one of the largest schools in the nation, the University of Texas offers 18 schools and colleges with 156 degree programs across 170 fields of study. In 2020, they were ranked #1 among U.S. universities in research financed by the National Science Foundation. Known for its intense athletic programs, the U.T. varsity sports teams have won 62 championships since 1949. U.S. News ranks them as #14 in most innovative schools, #9 in Best Undergraduate Engineering programs, and #7 in Business Programs nationwide. The most popular majors are communications, engineering, biological sciences, and business. Notable alums, of which there are many, include Matthew McConaughey, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jon Hamm, Jeb Bush, and Farrah Fawcett.
University of Wisconsin
Location: Madison, WI
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 49,886
U.S. News Ranking: #10 in Top Public Schools (tie)
Founded in 1848, the University of Wisconsin offers a diverse program of studies for students across the globe. Representing 116 countries and all 50 states, the 50,000 students at UW-Madison have 307 undergraduate majors and certificates to choose from. It is ranked #4 in study-abroad participants among U.S. schools and has a 90% participation rate in service learning. UW-Madison offers an intensive research unit that accumulated $1.3 billion in research expenditure in 2020. This has earned them 12 patents granted and ranked them #5 in most doctorates granted and #1 in Best hospitals in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Badgers also have a great athletics program, competing in more than 20 NCAA Division I sports as part of the Big Ten Conference. Notable alums from UW-Madison include Dick Cheney, Virgil Abloh, and John Muir.
University of Illinois
Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 34,779
U.S. News Ranking: #13 in Top Public Schools (tie)
The University of Illinois was founded in 1867 and is one of the original 37 public land-grant institutions. The school offers 15 Colleges and Instructional Units and one of the largest public university libraries in the world. The University of Illinois has received over $342 million from the Science Foundation, which is dedicated to fundamental research on campus. There are over 150 programs of study, and the school awards about 7,000 new degrees each spring. U.I. is ranked by U.S. News as Best Undergraduate Engineering Program, #5 in Computer Science, and #41 among National Universities. The university boasts one of the largest Greek systems in the country. Notable alums include Pulitzer Prize-winner Roger Ebert and co-founder of YouTube Steve Chen.
William & Mary
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 6,543
U.S. News Ranking: #13 in Top Public Schools (tie)
William & Mary is the second oldest college in the U.S., founded by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. Full of rich history, the research university has 54 undergraduate majors and 62 minors across more than 100 tracks. Their student base represents 50 states and 65 countries, with 32% identifying as students of color. Nearly 80% of undergraduates participate in research mentored by faculty, and 60% have studied abroad while at W&M. Ranked #7 in best undergraduate teaching and #41 in National top colleges, William & Mary is also known for its athletic teams, the Tribe. The school’s loyal alumni have a strong presence in history, including Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Tyler, George Washington, Glenn Close, Jon Stewart, and Mike Tomlin.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Location: Atlanta, GA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 17,447
U.S. News Ranking: #15 in Top Public Schools
Georgia Tech is one of the nation’s top public research universities, with students across all 50 states and 149 countries. Across its six Colleges and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), and more than $1 billion in annual research awards, it’s among the most research-intensive universities. U.S. News ranks the school as #4 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, #5 in Computer Science, and #8 in Most Innovative Schools. The Scheller College of Business, which has five incubators, 25 corporate innovation centers, and over 100 startups, ranks #19 among all Undergraduate Business Programs. The average freshman retention rate for students who stay a second year is 97%. The most popular programs include engineering (52%), computer science (19%), and health professions (10%). Most notable alums include Jimmy Carter, Jeff Foxworthy, and Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway.
The Ohio State University
Location: Columbus, OH
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 47,106
U.S. News Ranking: #16 in Top Public Schools (tie)
The Ohio State University, founded in 1870, offers over 200 academic centers and institutes for their students to research, create, and engage. The land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university has over 12,000 courses and is a top 10 producer of Fulbright scholars and students. Additionally, OSU is the 6th leading producer of Peace Corps volunteers. According to a Wall Street Journal survey of corporate recruiters, OSU is ranked 12th for most sought-after graduates, making it a popular destination for employer recruitment. They are also ranked 6th in industry-sponsored research among all U.S. universities. Finance, Psychology, Speech Communication, Biology, and Computer Engineering are the most popular majors. Notable alums of OSU include Jesse Ownes, J.K. Simmons, John Kasich, Urban Meyer, and George Steinbrenner.
University of Georgia
Location: Athens, GA
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 30,166
U.S. News Ranking: #16 in Top Public Schools (tie)
The University of Georgia is known as the first public state college in the USA. UGA is a land-grant and sea-grant university with 25 Rhodes Scholars and 143 Fulbright scholars. Their 18 schools and colleges offer 125 distinct undergraduate degrees in 98 majors and 26 fields. UGA ranks #49 among National Universities and #30 in Most Innovative Schools by U.S. News. Community service is a big focus on campus, with student-run philanthropies such as UGA Miracle leading the way. The Office of Research had invested over $500M in R&D Expenditures in 2022, which contributed to the $7.6 billion impact the school has had on the state of Georgia. Popular majors include Biology, Finance, Psychology, Marketing, and Management Information Systems. Notable alums include Ryan Seacrest, Kim Basinger, and Wayne Knight.
Purdue University
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 41,000
U.S. News Ranking: #18 in Top Public Schools
Purdue University, founded in 1869, is a public research university that offers programs across 200 specializations and has the country’s largest or second-largest undergraduate engineering enrollment. Their research program exceeds $345M a year, using more than 400 research labs. Students representing all 50 states and 130 countries can choose from over 600 organizations for inclusive on-campus research and social opportunities. Purdue ranks #51 among National Universities, #7 in most innovative schools, and #9 in best undergraduate engineering programs by U.S. News. Purdue has 13 schools and colleges, and the most popular majors include engineering, business, computer science, and engineering. Notable alums include Neil Armstrong, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, and Orville Redenbacher.
Florida State University
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 33,593
U.S. News Ranking: #19 in Top Public Schools (tie)
Florida State University (FSU) is one of the nation’s elite research universities and is Florida’s oldest higher education system. With a 94% retention rate for first-year students and a 74% graduation rate within four years, FSU is a top choice for students seeking a strong education. The school offers 283 degrees across bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, specialist, and professional programs. In 2021, FSU’s research spend totaled $238.6 Million. The faculty includes 6 Nobel Laureates, and the student body represents 50 states and 130 countries. Of the student population, 37.6% identify as minorities. FSU ranks #55 among national universities and recently hit a new milestone for a first-semester retention rate of 99%, indicating new students are happy. Popular majors include psychology, Finance, and Criminal Justice. Notable alums include Jim Morrison, Burt Reynolds, Deion Sanders, and Sara Blakely.
Rutgers University
Location: New Brunswick, NJ
Size of Undergraduate Student Body: 36,152
U.S. News Ranking: #19 in Top Public Schools (tie)
Rutgers University-New Brunswick, the flagship campus of New Jersey’s state university, was founded in 1766 and is the 8th oldest university in the nation. The school is among the most ethnically diverse campuses in the country and Big Ten and has over 571,000 alums in its network. With 29 schools and colleges and over 150 undergraduate majors, Rutgers ranks #55 among national universities. Rutgers University supplies its students and network with over 300 research centers and institutes and brings more federal research dollars to New Jersey than all other New Jersey colleges and universities combined. Of these resources, the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station provides students with hands-on courses in the sciences and the ability to work on community projects. Popular majors include Computer Science, Psychology, Biology, and Information Science. Notable alums include James Gandolfini, Elizabeth Warren, David Stern, and many more.
These public universities offer an incredible talent pool and potential candidates for jobs and internships. Investing in these public universities means investing in a diverse, educated, talented workforce that will drive America forward. Employers should look to these universities as potential sources of top talent nationwide. Head to their website to view the complete list of Top Public Universities according to U.S. News.
If you are looking to improve your campus recruitment efforts and need to find where to start, download our guide for recruiting Beyond the Ivy League.
