Public colleges and universities are typically operated under the
supervision of state governments and are funded, in part, by tax dollars
and subsidies from the state.
As a result, these universities often offer free or discounted tuition to
students considered residents of the state.
Public schools run the gamut from small liberal arts colleges to large
research institutions.
These are the highest ranked public colleges and universities in the 2013
Best Colleges rankings, listed according to their ranking category.
