50 Best Value Public Colleges in America By Leah Pace, Stacker News On 3/6/21 at 7:00 AM EST There are many differences between public and private colleges: Public universities often have larger class sizes and more degree options while private universities are known for better access to professors and greater geographical diversity among students because in-state tuition isn't a consideration. But the biggest difference for many? Cost. Stacker looked at Niche's 2021 list of the best value colleges in America. This ranking includes only public, four-year colleges and weighs the cost of tuition with each school's acceptance rate, quality of professors, diversity, and the median earnings for alumni six years after graduation.