What is a public ivy and which universities fall under this category?

I'm researching colleges and came across the term 'public ivy.' I'm curious to know what exactly a public ivy is and how universities earn this designation. Does it mean they have academic standards similar to Ivy League schools but are public institutions? If anyone has a list of schools considered public ivies, I'd love to check them out, especially if they offer a strong balance between academics and extracurricular opportunities.

Public Ivy is a term that was first introduced by Richard Moll in his book "Public Ivies: A Guide to America's Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities" in 1985. The term refers to public universities that supposedly provide an Ivy League collegiate experience at a public school price. A Public Ivy can offer the same high quality of undergraduate education, faculty, and campus resources as an Ivy League institution, but they typically have larger student bodies and are more affordable, particularly for in-state students.

The original Public Ivies as listed by Moll include:

- College of William & Mary

- Miami University (Ohio)

- University of California

- University of Michigan

- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

- University of Texas at Austin

- University of Vermont

- University of Virginia

Since then, the list has expanded over time by various publishers and now also includes institutions like the University of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania State University, University of Florida, and more.

It's also important to note that the term Public Ivy isn't officially recognized by the institutions themselves or by higher education accreditation bodies. It's more of an accolade or label used in media and unofficial college rankings. The schools considered 'Public Ivies' epitomize strong academic programs and vibrant extracurricular communities, so your request for a rich balance of studies and other activities should be well met at these schools.

To learn more about Public Ivies, I'd suggest checking out this comprehensive blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/should-you-apply-to-public-ivy-league-schools

Please keep in mind that the "Ivy League" refers to the sports conference that includes prestigious private schools in the northeastern U.S, and doesn't necessarily equate to academic excellence. There are many non-Ivy League and Public Ivy schools that offer strong academic programs. Research deeply into all your options and consider factors like size, location, course offerings, campus culture, etc., to find a school that is a good fit for you. Good luck!