I've enjoyed Good Times in the Little Apple. I like you people.
I do not recommend any phrasing similar to "top 50 public research institutions" in a country with 50 states. There are much more flattering ways of expressing yourselves.
there are 629 public universities in the US. i'm not sure all of them define themselves as a "research institution," but any school that isn't conducting research can't be taken seriously anyway as they are not contributing to the greater societal good. if kansas state became a top 50 school, it would rank them in the top 7 percent of all US institutions.
i would venture a guess that you are not in the top 7 percent in the US in any single thing you do. you are probably not a top 7 percent cook; you are probably not a top 7 percent employee; you are probably not a top 7 percent citizen. you are just an ordinary regular person who is adequate or average at everything you do.
i feel horrible for any k-stater who has a child that's 5 years old or younger.