What is a public ivy school?

The term "Public Ivy" refers to a group of public universities that are considered to be of comparable quality to the prestigious Ivy League schools, in terms of academics, research opportunities, and overall prestige. There's no official list, and different sources may offer slightly varying selections, but the schools most frequently included are known for their strong academic programs, highly selective admissions, and excellent faculty. They generally offer a more affordable tuition than private Ivy League institutions.

Commonly cited "Public Ivies" include:

* University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

* University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

* University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

* University of Virginia (UVA)

* University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill)

* College of William & Mary

* University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

* California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (often included due to its exceptional STEM focus, but less comparable overall to the broader Ivy League profile)

It's important to remember that this is an informal designation. While these schools offer excellent educational opportunities, the term "Public Ivy" is a comparative label, not a formal classification.