29 Best State Universities in USA for Bachelors

The US is arguably the most preferred destination for international students. The country provides one of the best education and training along with excellent job opportunities. However, the cost of attending a US university is pretty high and that’s usually the biggest concern for many families along with the complexity of the college admission process. In this post, we will look at the best state universities in USA for Bachelors in computer science, engineering, business management & arts for international students in terms of affordability and earning potential.

US State (Public) Universities are a major attraction for International Students

The United States has been a centre of higher learning and education for over 300 years, ever since Harvard University was established in 1636 as a private university. Soon, other universities – both private and state/public universities – were established and, today, the US is famous for being the centre for the largest number of universities and colleges (i.e. higher education) in a single country.

There are far too many universities to name here: the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, indicates that there are close to 4,300 universities and colleges in the US (2017-18 figure). Most of these universities offer a large menu of courses to rival the best universities in the world, and US universities regularly appear in global university rankings.

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Too Many Options for International Students

For students, that’s a large universe of universities to choose from for their higher education. The greatest benefit of this situation, of course, goes to students in the US who can find a university near their home – a ‘local’ university.

Especially during university ‘open days’, when universities invite prospective students and their parents to visit the universities on a guided tour, the first-hand knowledge helps students to assess and select a university of their choice. It’s also easier to come back home during holidays.

However, many US students also search for universities outside their local area or state to find universities and courses which ‘best fit’ their study and career objectives, as well as those which offer the best financial aid.

These US universities are a great source of knowledge, degrees, experiences, and career opportunities for students outside the US as well. Collectively termed as ‘international students’, students from all over the world (such as students from India) have sought higher education in US universities.

The US higher education sector for international students has been growing from the 1960s, and the last 20 years have witnessed significant growth. According to the 2020 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange (published in November 2020), over one million international students studied in US universities and colleges in 2019-20. Of these international students, 53% came from China (35%) and India (18%).

Popular US Universities for International Students

Needless to say, the US has been, and still is, the most popular destination for international students, including students from India. The question is: with so many universities to choose from, how do students decide which US university will be the right one for them?

Leaving aside the 8 Ivy League Schools (such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and others), which are desired by most Indian (international) students, there are, actually, thousands of US universities that offer quality education – and attract almost 2,00,000 students from India every year. Hundreds of these US universities are featured in global university rankings by systems such as Times Higher Education (THE), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), ARWU (Shanghai Ranking), USNews, and others.

A bigger majority of these universities are US State or Public universities (because they are governed and funded by individual US states) that offer quality higher education at a reasonable cost. They are some of the best universities in the world.

Public / State Universities in USA

Besides quality higher education, these State or Public universities embrace international culture more freely. They welcome larger numbers of international students and, therefore, offer a multicultural environment to both local and international students.

Student interactions in peer groups lead to faster assimilation of American culture and teaching methodologies among international students and help them feel more at home in the US.

They engender new friendships amongst students which carry on long into student careers, reinforced through alumni associations, giving international students a head start in networking opportunities which are so critical to professional development in later life.

Plus, these universities come with the advantage of location. Because there are so many State or Public universities across the US, there are one or more universities in the location of the students’ choice, offering a plethora of subjects (majors and minors), facilities, and wide-ranging budgets to suit individual needs.

Top Affordable Public / State Universities in USA for International Students

Co-authored by Tanmoy Ray

Other Popular Rankings for State Universities in USA

US News ranking places a strong emphasis on student retention and graduation rates over things job placement and post-graduation salaries.

Forbes’ list of top public colleges prioritizes student success, so it features things like a school’s graduation rate and postgraduate employment.

QS Top Universities’ list of top State Universities in USA relies on four broad groups of parameters that include Employability, Diversity & Internationalization, Learning Experience, and Research.

Times Higher Education (along with the Wall Street Journal) uses the student survey data including students’ engagement with their studies, their interaction with their teachers, and their satisfaction with their experience.

Niche’s list of best US public universities uses student surveys to rank features like the campus, diversity, and party scene, which give a different view of a college than Forbes and US News.

Prepscholar’s list of top US public universities uses a mixture of Niche, Forbes, and US News rankings. Additionally, the list also gives extra consideration to schools with above-average graduation rates and financial aid offers.

Our List of Top Public Universities in USA

The table below displays data of 29 of these US State or Public universities selected on the basis of popularity and other parameters such as Acceptance Rate, SAT Score Range, Popular Courses at these universities, Annual Average Expenditure (Tuition and Boarding) for students, Annual Average Cost After Financial Aid, Median Annual Entry Salary (0 to 5 years) expected in jobs, and Median Annual Mid-Career Salary (expected after 10 years).

For the majority of international and Indian students, cost and financial aid are very critical. Hence, more weightage has been given to those two parameters.

College	Acceptance Rate (%)	SAT Score Range	Popular Courses Avaliable	Annual Average Expenditure (Tuition and Boarding) in USD	Average Annual Cost After Financial Aid (USD)	Median Annual Entry Salary (0-5 years) (USD)	Median Annual Mid-Career Salary (10+ Years) (USD)
Northeastern University	18.1	1465-1540	Business, Management, Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions and Related Programs, Biological and Biomedical Sciences	73,172	42,887	65,000	109,700
Arizona State University	86	1120-1360	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Subjects, Engineering, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts	47,193	42,484	55,700	101,700
Oregon State University	80.6	1195-1310	Computer Science Business Administration, Management and Operations Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Health and Physical Education/Fitness Mechanical Engineering	48,693	38,928	57,700	104,500
University of South Florida	48	1260-1325	Health Professions and Related Programs Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Engineering	34,460	25,059	40,200	63,400
Colorado State University	81.4	1180-1280	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering Social Sciences Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies	46,812	42,104	54,500	97,800
Marshall University	90.6	1054-1130	Health Professions and Related Programs Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Education Psychology	32,233	26,360	42,700	58,100
George Mason University	87	1215-1300	Criminal Justice/Police Science Psychology, General Information Technology Biology/Biological Sciences, General Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other	52,385	42,851	59,700	110,000
The University of Alabama, Birmingham	91.8	1210-1310	Health Professions and Related Programs Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Biological and Biomedical Sciences Education Psychology	44,442	39,465	51,500	89,700
University of Arizona	84.6	1235-1350	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering Health Professions and Related Programs Social Sciences	53,116	39,982	57,300	102,100
James Madison University	71.1	1205-1290	Health Professions and Related Programs Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs Social Sciences Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	44,334	41,083	58,200	105,800
Texas A & M - Corpus Christi	87	1080-1160	Engineering Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences	36,564	28,977	49,800	87,300
University of Oregon	83.4	1185-1290	Computer Science Business Administration, Management and Operations Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Health and Physical Education/Fitness Mechanical Engineering	53,741	46,782	52,700	98,800
Iowa State University	92.1	1220-1340	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Engineering Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences Education	37,128	30,375	57,600	101,100
North Park University	54	1100-1190	Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse Business Administration and Management, General Psychology, General Biology/Biological Sciences, General Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General	46,176	32,495	48,400	86,000
University of Massachusetts, Boston	77.6	1130-1220	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Biological and Biomedical Sciences Psychology Social Sciences Health Professions and Related Programs	55,749	34,096	54,400	94,400
Ohio State University, Columbus	53.7	1355-1420	Psychology, General Finance, General Marketing/Marketing Management, General Speech Communication and Rhetoric Biological/Biomedical Sciences, General	48,963	41,370	58,200	103,200
Florida State University	36	1270-1330	Psychology, General Finance, General Criminal Justice/Safety Studies Marketing/Marketing Management, General English Language and Literature, General	38,463	34,548	51,800	96,100
Michigan State University	71.1	1210-1310	Engineering Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs	54,412	47,951	57,900	106,600
North Carolina State University	44.9	1335-1410	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Engineering Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services	44,377	29,986	60,200	113,200
Stony Brook University, Suny	44.1	1335-1420	Engineering Psychology Health Professions and Related Programs Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services	45,673	36,873	62,000	116,900
Binghamton University, Suny	39.8	1375-1440	Economics, General Psychology, General Biological/Biomedical Sciences, General Accounting Neuroscience	45,859	35,493	64,100	120,600
University of Buffalo, Suny	55.9	1245-1330	Engineering Psychology Social Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services	45,991	38,948	44,300	67,800
Illinois State University	88.9	1140-1240	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Education Health Professions and Related Programs Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs Social Sciences	41,282	21,288	52,100	97,100
Washington State University	75.8	1125-1220	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Engineering Psychology Social Sciences Health Professions and Related Programs	42,569	30,776	57,200	104,800
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	12.3	1405-1510	Engineering Psychology Social Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences Mathematics and Statistics	63,823	44,650	65,600	129,400
University of Wisconsin, Madison	51.7	1390-1480	Engineering Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services Social Sciences Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs	53,673	31,553	60,900	110,000
Pennsylvania State University	49.1	1265-1370	Engineering Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services Social Sciences Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs	54,026	46,243	45,800	71,400
University of Connecticut	48.8	1315-1420	Economics, General Psychology, General Speech Communication and Rhetoric Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse Biology/Bilogical Science, General	56,952	40,785	62,300	111,400
William and Mary	37.7	1415-1510	Social Science Psychology Interdisciplinary Studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business, Management, and Marketing	62,250	47,967	62,100	123,300

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Advantages of Attending Public / State Universities in USA

• The tuition fees are generally lower at the state universities in USA.
• State universities are also generally larger than private schools, with tens of thousands of students rather than a few thousand.
• State universities in USA are able to admit far more students, meaning they have less strict standards and higher acceptance rates.
• State universities usually have more academic programs and student activities, as well as strong athletics programs.
• Niche sectors or specific organizations might have a high number of alumni from local/nearby public schools.

For international students, the difficulty of the selection process is intensified as most of the search for universities and courses require to be done online, or through overseas phone calls. Virtual open days do help, but they are nothing like physically walking through a university campus and talking to other students, staff, and faculty members.

Application / Admission Counselling for State Universities in USA

Of course, the university selection process is not restricted to a table of information, which international students can use as their first step in research for universities in the US. The actual university selection and application process can be laborious: both difficult and time-consuming. And if you factor in application fees to multiple US universities, it can be expensive too.

Although university websites offer a lot of information and offer ways for students to directly apply to universities in the US, it helps to seek counselling locally from foreign education advisors and consultants to ease the process, discuss doubts, and remove confusions that occupy student minds.

Related Articles:

Best 85 Universities in USA that Offer Maximum Financial Aid to International Undergraduate Students

Best 46 Liberal Arts Colleges in USA for Financial Aid and Salary Potential

Sources: 1, 2, 3.