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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
457Ranked
BC Berkshire Community College logo
#1,659 in United States United States
#1,659 in United States · by research impact
4,175 citations · h-index 33
462Ranked
OC Oklahoma Christian University logo
#1,696 in United States United States
#1,696 in United States · by research impact
3,721 citations · h-index 31
467Ranked
AU Antioch University - Los Angeles logo
#1,726 in United States United States
#1,726 in United States · by research impact
3,361 citations · h-index 29
468Ranked
CS Chadron State College logo
#1,744 in United States United States
#1,744 in United States · by research impact
2,999 citations · h-index 29
469Ranked
CC California Coast University logo
#1,765 in United States United States
#1,765 in United States · by research impact
2,819 citations · h-index 27
472Ranked
GV Grand View University logo
#1,802 in United States United States
#1,802 in United States · by research impact
2,481 citations · h-index 27
478Ranked
IT International Technological University logo
#1,909 in United States United States
#1,909 in United States · by research impact
1,682 citations · h-index 16
479Ranked
FU Friends University logo
#1,910 in United States United States
#1,910 in United States · by research impact
1,669 citations · h-index 23
480Ranked
EU ECPI University logo
#1,911 in United States United States
#1,911 in United States · by research impact
1,666 citations · h-index 17

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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