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516 Best Public Master's Universities in the United States

Of the 516 Public Master's universities in the United States, University of Chicago ranks highest at #13 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Next come Johns Hopkins University (QS World #24) and University of California, Berkeley (QS World #28). Across the whole list there are 4,338 courses to choose from.

516 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
386Ranked
MS Montana State University - Billings logo
#1,260 in United States United States
#1,260 in United States · by research impact
17,241 citations · h-index 61
389Ranked
SI Schiller International University logo
#1,276 in United States United States
#1,276 in United States · by research impact
15,818 citations · h-index 61
390Ranked
MS Mount St. Mary's University logo
#1,278 in United States United States
#1,278 in United States · by research impact
15,759 citations · h-index 53
391Ranked
SB Southwest Baptist University logo
#1,279 in United States United States
#1,279 in United States · by research impact
15,633 citations · h-index 58
393Ranked
WC West Coast University logo
#1,287 in United States United States
#1,287 in United States · by research impact
15,253 citations · h-index 60
394Ranked
CU Chaminade University of Honolulu logo
#1,300 in United States United States
#1,300 in United States · by research impact
14,757 citations · h-index 60
397Ranked
UJ University of Jamestown logo
#1,309 in United States United States
#1,309 in United States · by research impact
14,375 citations · h-index 41
398Ranked
GS Grambling State University logo
#1,313 in United States United States
#1,313 in United States · by research impact
14,212 citations · h-index 54
401Ranked
FS Florida Southern College logo
#1,325 in United States United States
#1,325 in United States · by research impact
13,678 citations · h-index 49
402Ranked
BC Benedictine College logo
#1,326 in United States United States
#1,326 in United States · by research impact
13,672 citations · h-index 54
403Ranked
RM Robert Morris University Illinois logo
#1,329 in United States United States
#1,329 in United States · by research impact
13,544 citations · h-index 52
407Ranked
SU Southern University at New Orleans logo
#1,340 in United States United States
#1,340 in United States · by research impact
13,094 citations · h-index 61
408Ranked
SU Sofia University logo
#1,343 in United States United States
#1,343 in United States · by research impact
12,880 citations · h-index 55

How these universities are ranked

30 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #13 (University of Chicago) to #575 (University of South Carolina); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: Johns Hopkins University is cited most (78,461,703 citations). 22 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Public, private and where they are

516 are public and 0 private (100% public). By location, New York (3), Texas (3) and Washington (2) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is University of California, Berkeley, founded in 1868. University of California, Berkeley is the largest, with 45,000 students.

Inside the course list

The most common subjects are Business & Management (800), Education (606), Medicine & Health Sciences (580) and Social Sciences & Psychology (458). The usual length is 1–2 years and null. 82% are full-time and 666 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (100% of courses with a stated intake). Pratt Institute offers the widest choice, with 73 of these courses.

What it costs

We hold indicative fees for 17 of these universities. University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at USD 5,274 a year and University of California, Berkeley the most at USD 44,000; the middle of the range is about USD 19,531. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for Public Master's in the United States?

University of Chicago (QS World #13), Johns Hopkins University (QS World #24) and University of California, Berkeley (QS World #28) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for Public Master's in the United States?

Of those with published fees, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at about USD 5,274 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How many public universities offer Public Master's in the United States?

516 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Public Master's course take in the United States?

Most listed courses run 1–2 years, with null the next most common.

When do Public Master's courses start in the United States?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Can I study Public Master's online with a university in the United States?

666 of these courses are listed as online.

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