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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
433Ranked
GC Graceland College logo
#1,436 in United States United States
#1,436 in United States · by research impact
9,044 citations · h-index 35
434Ranked
WV West Virginia University at Parkersburg logo
#1,439 in United States United States
#1,439 in United States · by research impact
8,821 citations · h-index 37
436Ranked
UE Unity Environmental College logo
#1,448 in United States United States
#1,448 in United States · by research impact
8,535 citations · h-index 43
438Ranked
FC Fontbonne College logo
#1,470 in United States United States
#1,470 in United States · by research impact
8,017 citations · h-index 41
441Ranked
EM Eastern Mennonite University logo
#1,488 in United States United States
#1,488 in United States · by research impact
7,648 citations · h-index 39
443Ranked
TC Tusculum College logo
#1,497 in United States United States
#1,497 in United States · by research impact
7,454 citations · h-index 47
446Ranked
AI American International College logo
#1,520 in United States United States
#1,520 in United States · by research impact
6,965 citations · h-index 39
449Ranked
WC Waynesburg College logo
#1,577 in United States United States
#1,577 in United States · by research impact
5,757 citations · h-index 36
451Ranked
FP Fresno Pacific University logo
#1,591 in United States United States
#1,591 in United States · by research impact
5,390 citations · h-index 35
452Ranked
IW Institute for World Politics logo
#1,603 in United States United States
#1,603 in United States · by research impact
5,024 citations · h-index 17
455Ranked
CC Coker College logo
#1,650 in United States United States
#1,650 in United States · by research impact
4,406 citations · h-index 35

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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