What are Public Ivy Colleges?

I keep hearing the term 'Public Ivy' being thrown around, but I'm not entirely sure what it means. Can someone explain and maybe provide a list of these colleges?

The term "Public Ivy" was first used by Richard Moll in his 1985 book "Public Ivies: A Guide to America's Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities" to refer to universities that provide an Ivy League collegiate experience at a public school price. These institutions are known for their high academic standards, rigorous programs, and powerhouse faculty—all characteristics traditionally associated with the Ivy League, which consists of eight private universities.

Public Ivies often come in at a much lower cost, especially for in-state students, which can make them an attractive option for those seeking an Ivy-like education but are conscious of tuition costs.

The original list of Public Ivies provided by Moll includes:

- University of California (UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego)

- The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor

- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

- The College of William and Mary

- University of Virginia

- University of Texas at Austin

- University of Vermont

- University of Washington

- University of Wisconsin-Madison

This list has grown over time to often include other notable public universities that meet these rigorous standards, such as:

- University of Florida

- University of Maryland, College Park

- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

However, it's important to note that the term "Public Ivy" is not officially recognized, and its definition can vary depending on who's using it. In general, it's used to highlight public institutions known for their academic excellence and competitive admissions process.