Where each SEC school ranks academically by U.S. News for 2026-27
SEC schools ranked academically by U.S. News for 2026-27
Trey Luerssen
The SEC has never been stronger scholastically, with five universities ranked among the top 100 schools in the nation for the upcoming academic year. That’s a welcome change for a conference that was once regarded as one of the worst academically.
For decades, the Big Ten and Pac-12 were the gold standard, with the ACC and Big 12 a step below and SEC trailing the other leagues. But with the addition of Texas A&M in 2012, and the recent additions of the University of Texas and Oklahoma, the SEC has greatly improved the conference’s scholastic standing.
Academically, Texas is one of the best colleges in the nation. It ranks very highly among public universities and is considered a “Public Ivy” school, a term originated in a 1985 book that listed the best state schools in America. UT was on the original list and remains in the top 10.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian uses the academic prestige of UT Austin as a big selling point during the recruiting process. Along with the Longhorns success on the field, Sark stresses the UT education.
“All the while that’s occurring at a Top 5 Public Institution in the United States. … Oh by the way, Forbes Magazine last year wrote (Texas is) the new Ivy League. Name another school that’s getting compared to Harvard, Yale and Princeton (academically) but on the flip side is getting compared to Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama on the football field.” — Steve Sarkisian
Using the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-27 National University Rankings, here is how the 16 SEC schools stack up academically:
No. 16 in SEC: Mississippi State University – Starkville, Mississippi
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 208 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 18,567
– Four-year graduation rate: 46%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $10,604
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $28,736
Overview: Mississippi State University is a public institution founded in 1878. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,567. Its setting is rural, and the campus size is 4,200 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Mississippi State University is 16:1, and the school has 44.7% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Mississippi State University include: Business Administration and Management, General; Exercise Science and Kinesiology; Psychology, General; Elementary Education and Teaching; Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other; Marketing/Marketing Management, General; Mechanical Engineering; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Civil Engineering, General; and Speech Communication and Rhetoric. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 83%. More Info
No. 15 in SEC: University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, Arkansas
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 183 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 28,859
– Four-year graduation rate: 56%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $10,496
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $31,550
Overview: University of Arkansas is a public institution founded in 1871. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 28,859. Its setting is city, and the campus size is 709 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of Arkansas is 20:1, and the school has 41.2% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Arkansas include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Engineering; Communication, Journalism and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness and Kinesiology; and Education. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 86%. More Info
No. 12 (tie) in SEC: Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 169 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 34,242
– Four-year graduation rate: 50%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $12,551
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $29,229
Overview: Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge is a public institution that was founded in 1860. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 34,242. Its setting is urban, and the campus size is 2,000 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge is 21:1, and the school has 41.9% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Education; Social Sciences; Psychology; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Visual and Performing Arts; and Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness and Kinesiology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 85%. More Info
No. 12 (tie) in SEC: University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 169 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 34,389
– Four-year graduation rate: 57%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $12,484
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $35,342
Overview: The University of Alabama is a public institution founded in 1831. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 34,389. Its setting is suburban and the campus size is 1,143 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at The University of Alabama is 19:1, and the school has 48% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at The University of Alabama include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Communication, Journalism and Related Programs; Health Professions and Related Programs; Engineering; Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Education; and Visual and Performing Arts. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 87%. More Info
No. 12 (tie) in SEC: University of Mississippi – Oxford, Mississippi
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 169 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 21,585
– Four-year graduation rate: 57%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $10,150
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $30,310
Overview: University of Mississippi is a public institution founded in 1848. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,585. Its setting is rural, and the campus size is 3,693 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of Mississippi is 17:1, and the school has 49.4% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Mississippi include: Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Accounting; Finance, General; Marketing/Marketing Management, General; Business/Commerce, General; Psychology, General; Elementary Education and Teaching; Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General; and Biology/Biological Sciences, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 88%. More Info
No. 11 in SEC: University of Kentucky – Lexington, Kentucky
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 149 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 25,534
– Four-year graduation rate: 55%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $13,907
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $35,164
Overview: University of Kentucky is a public institution founded in 1865. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 25,534. Its setting is city, and the campus size is 918 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of Kentucky is 17:1, and the school has 37.5% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Kentucky include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Engineering; Communication, Journalism and Related Programs; Education; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Psychology; Social Sciences; Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields; and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 86%. More Info
No. 10 in SEC: University of South Carolina – Columbia, South Carolina
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 127 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 30,187
– Four-year graduation rate: 70%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $12,688
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $37,376
Overview: University of South Carolina is a public institution founded in 1801. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,187. Its setting is city, and the campus size is 444 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of South Carolina is 19:1, and the school has 40.7% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of South Carolina include: Public Health; Finance and Financial Management Services; Biology, General; Research and Experimental Psychology; Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness; Marketing; Computer and Information Sciences, General; Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing; Criminal Justice and Corrections; and Political Science and Government. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 90%. More Info
No. 9 in SEC: University of Oklahoma – Norman, Oklahoma
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 110 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 23,351
– Four-year graduation rate: 58%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $9,887
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $27,467
Overview: University of Oklahoma is a public institution founded in 1890. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,351, and the campus size is 3,326 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of Oklahoma is 17:1, and the school has 45.1% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Oklahoma include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Engineering; Communication, Journalism and Related Programs; Psychology; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Visual and Performing Arts; and Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 88%. More Info
No. 6 (tie) in SEC: University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Tennessee
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 102 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 30,564
– Four-year graduation rate: 57%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $13,812
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $32,956
Overview: University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public institution founded in 1794. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,564. Its setting is urban, and the campus size is 910 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of Tennessee-Knoxville is 18:1, and the school has 27.9% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Tennessee-Knoxville include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Engineering; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Psychology; Communication, Journalism and Related Programs; Health Professions and Related Programs; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology; Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields; and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 89%. More Info
No. 6 (tie) in SEC: Auburn University – Auburn, Alabama
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 102 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 27,907
– Four-year graduation rate: 60%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $13,318
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $36,022
Overview: Auburn University is a public institution that was founded in 1856. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,907, and the campus size is 1,875 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Auburn University is 21:1. The most popular majors at Auburn University include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Education; Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields; Communication, Journalism and Related Programs; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Psychology; and Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 93%. More Info
No. 6 (tie) in SEC: University of Missouri – Columbia, Missouri
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 102 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 24,449
– Four-year graduation rate: 56%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $15,548
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $37,820
Overview: University of Missouri is a public institution founded in 1839. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 24,449. Its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,262 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of Missouri is 17:1, and the school has 43.1% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Missouri include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Communication, Journalism and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Engineering; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Education; Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields; and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 89%. More Info
No. 5 in SEC: Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 51 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 60,710
– Four-year graduation rate: 61%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $12,928
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $40,157
Overview: Texas A&M University is a public institution that was founded in 1876. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 60,710. Its setting is city, and the campus size is 5,200 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Texas A&M University is 19:1, and the school has 24.6% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Texas A&M University include: Engineering; Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Health Professions and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Engineering / Engineering-Related Technologies / Technicians; Psychology; and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 94%. More Info
No. 4 in SEC: University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 46 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 32,399
– Four-year graduation rate: 76%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $11,492
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $32,336
Overview: University of Georgia is a public institution that was founded in 1785. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 32,399. Its setting is city, and the campus size is 767 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of Georgia is 17:1, and the school has 48.7% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Georgia include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; Communication, Journalism and Related Programs; Psychology; Engineering; Health Professions and Related Programs; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences; and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 95%. More Info
No. 2 (tie) in SEC: University of Florida – Gainesville, Florida
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 30 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 36,573
– Four-year graduation rate: 83%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $6,381
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $30,886
Overview: University of Florida is a public institution that was founded in 1853. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 36,573. Its setting is city, and the campus size is 2,000 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of Florida is 16:1, and the school has 50.3% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Florida include: Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services; Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Communication, Journalism and Related Programs; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; and Visual and Performing Arts. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97%. More Info
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– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 30 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 43,165
– Four-year graduation rate: 74%
– In-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $11,687
– Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $44,908
Overview: The University of Texas-Austin is a public institution founded in 1883. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 43,165. Its setting is urban, and the campus size is 431 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at The University of Texas-Austin is 19:1, and the school has 36.4% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at The University of Texas-Austin include: Engineering; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; and Visual and Performing Arts. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96%. More Info
No. 1 in SEC: Vanderbilt University – Nashville, Tennessee
– U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 17 (tie)
– Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 7,221
– Four-year graduation rate: 90%
– Tuition and fees (2025-2026): $71,226
Overview: Vanderbilt University is a private institution that was founded in 1873. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,221. Its setting is urban, and the campus size is 333 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Vanderbilt University is 7:1, and the school has 60.9% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Vanderbilt University include: Social Sciences; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Mathematics and Statistics; Psychology; Visual and Performing Arts; Education; and Foreign Languages, Literatures; and Linguistics. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96%. More Info
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