Hey, I'm preparing my college list at the moment and I came across the term 'Public Ivies'. Can someone please explain what this means, and provide a list of colleges that fall under this category? I'm considering a Public Ivy for the quality education without the private school price tag.
The term "Public Ivies" refers to publicly-funded universities in the United States that are said to offer a quality of education comparable to those of the Ivy League. The term was first coined by Richard Moll in his 1985 book "Public Ivies: A Guide to America's Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities".
Here's a list of universities that are commonly referred to as "Public Ivies":
1. College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)
2. Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
3. University of California system, with special mention of UC Berkeley and UCLA
4. University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
6. University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas)
7. University of Vermont (Burlington, Vermont)
8. University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia)
9. University of Washington (Seattle, Washington)
10. University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, Wisconsin)
Do note that while these schools might have lower sticker prices than private Ivy League schools, the cost can still be significant, especially for out-of-state and international students. The financial aid policies can also be quite different. However, you are correct that these schools can provide high-quality education and indeed many of them are top-ranked in various academic fields.
You can further increase your odds of getting more financial aid by applying to schools where your profile is above average. Remember that you should not only look at schools’ rankings, but also consider major offerings, clubs and activities, location, size, and overall culture and fit. Take the time to research each one and find the best fit for you. Good luck with your college search!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.