America's Flagship Public Colleges and Universities 66 percent of all students enrolled in four-year institutions have chosen to go public over private 6.7 million students will enroll in four-year public institutions, compared to 3.3 million in four-year private colleges and universities Of the 2 million students in graduate and professional programs in 2001, about 1.2 million are enrolled in public universities The average annual total cost for a public university is $11,338 versus $24,946 for a private college education Using their years of expertise and inside knowledge, the Greenes present affordable alternatives to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton -- thirty public colleges and universities at which students can receive an Ivy League education at a fraction of the price. Providing students and their parents with a better understanding of the opportunities at America's flagship public universities and the other Ivy League universities, The Public Ivies will help pave the way toward a top-notch college education without a huge price tag.