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Public universities are often much bigger than private schools—but what they may lack in intimacy, they often make up for in resources, course options, and an ultra-low price tag. If the cost of college is a concern for you and your family (and when isn’t it?), choosing a public university could save tens of thousands over the course of your academic career. The key, as always, is choosing the right school for you. Here’s the run-down on eight public universities.
College of William and Mary. This school, located in the quaint historic village of Williamsburg, Virginia, has the size and character of a private school with the low cost of a public university. The college has less than 6,000 undergraduates, and offers a diverse range of liberal arts courses with world-class professors on the beautiful campus. The school, founded in 1693, is the second-oldest college in the United States.
Georgia Tech. Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia Tech offers world-class facilities, instructors, and research opportunities, particularly in the fields of science and engineering. If you’re a football fan, you’re in luck: thousands turn out to see the Division 1 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play at the huge school stadium.
UC Berkeley. Located within an easy BART subway ride of San Francisco, UC Berkeley provides students with an Ivy-caliber education at a fraction of the price for in-staters. The school tops the academic charts in just about every field, and the town boasts an eclectic blend of hippie and student culture.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. With more than 30,000 undergraduate students, this school is big and bustling, but it’s got plenty to do. Students can choose from more than 150 unique majors, have access the largest school library outside of the Ivy League, and can cheer for the school’s 19 varsity teams.
University of Michigan Ann Arbor. This school has over 40,000 students, great sports teams, and top-notch programs in nearly every field. Choose from more than 200 majors, including unique fields like kinesiology (the study of movement, if you were wondering).
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. UNC-Chapel Hill is one of the least expensive of all public universities, but it boasts world-class facilities in a beautiful historic campus, Division 1 sports teams, and a friendly Southern college town. The school has a strong focus on sustainability, and requires all new buildings to be constructed to LEED standards.
University of Wisconsin Madison. Located between two lakes in the charming city of Madison, UWM is home to almost 30,000 undergraduate students. Students can choose from 135 unique majors, including human ecology, cartography, and—fittingly for a state known for its cheese—dairy science.
University of Virginia Charlottesville. UVA was established by Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, and the school’s beautiful green lawns and historic architecture are reminiscent of his home, Monticello. The academic programs are some of the best in the United States, and with a $5 billion endowment, UVA is the wealthiest of all public schools in the U.S. And while secret societies may be a thing of the past at many schools, they’re alive and well here—see if you can score an invitation to Seven or Z.
