Texas Longhorns fans are proud of the academic excellence of the University of Texas. Graduates will refer to Texas as a “Public Ivy,” a term that originates from a 1985 book that lists the best state schools in America. The University of Texas was included in that original list.
Each year, U.S. News & World Report publishes an academic ranking of all United States colleges. Those rankings came out on Tuesday morning.
Texas is usually very high on that list. Texas ranks second in the State of Texas behind Rice. If UT was still in the old Big 12, Texas would rank No. 1.
In the SEC? Texas ranks No. 2, tied with the University of Florida. Both trail Vanderbilt, which is ironically just behind Rice.
There is a definite top tier in the Southeastern Conference. Vandy, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M are all ranked in the top 51 in the nation. No. 6 Auburn is at 106. Mississippi State brings up the rear, ranked at 214.
U.S. News & World Report publishes its methodology with the rankings. The magazine lists academic reputation, cost and return on investment as key points. Classroom resources, conferred bachelor degree rates, value, student life and reviews also matter in the rankings.
No. 1 in SEC: Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 18 (tie)
Overview: Vanderbilt University is a private institution that was founded in 1873. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,152 (fall 2023), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 333 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Vanderbilt University’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #18. Its tuition and fees are $67,498. 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
No. 2 (tie) in SEC: University of Texas – Austin, TX
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 30 (tie)
Overview: The University of Texas—Austin is a public institution that was founded in 1883. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 42,444 (fall 2023), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 431 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. The University of Texas—Austin’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #30. Its in-state tuition and fees are $11,678; out-of-state tuition and fees are $42,778. 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. 2 (tie) in SEC: University of Florida – Gainesville, FL
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 30 (tie)
Overview: University of Florida is a public institution that was founded in 1853. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 34,924 (fall 2023), its setting is city, and the campus size is 2,000 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Florida’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #30. Its in-state tuition and fees are $6,381; out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,658. 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
No. 4 in SEC: University of Georgia – Athens, GA
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 46 (tie)
Overview: University of Georgia is a public institution that was founded in 1785. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 31,514 (fall 2023), its setting is city, and the campus size is 767 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Georgia’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #46. Its in-state tuition and fees are $11,440; out-of-state tuition and fees are $31,678. 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. 5 in SEC: Texas A&M University – College Station, TX
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 51 (tie)
Overview: Texas A&M University is a public institution that was founded in 1876. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 59,933 (fall 2023), its setting is city, and the campus size is 5,200 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Texas A&M University’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #51. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,413; out-of-state tuition and fees are $40,307. 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. 6 in SEC: Auburn University – Auburn, AL
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 105 (tie)
Overview: Auburn University is a public institution that was founded in 1856. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 26,874 (fall 2023), and the campus size is 1,875 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Auburn University’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #105. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,890; out-of-state tuition and fees are $34,922. 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. 7 (tie) in SEC: University of Missouri – Columbia, MO
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 109 (tie)
Overview: University of Missouri is a public institution that was founded in 1839. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,629 (fall 2023), its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,262 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Missouri’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #109. Its in-state tuition and fees are $14,830; out-of-state tuition and fees are $36,040. 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. 7 (tie) in SEC: University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 109 (tie)
Overview: University of Tennessee—Knoxville is a public institution that was founded in 1794. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 28,883 (fall 2023), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 910 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Tennessee—Knoxville’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #109. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,812; out-of-state tuition and fees are $32,956. 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. 9 in SEC: University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 121 (tie)
Overview: University of South Carolina is a public institution that was founded in 1801. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 28,470 (fall 2023), its setting is city, and the campus size is 444 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of South Carolina’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #121. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,688; out-of-state tuition and fees are $35,972. 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. 10 in SEC: University of Oklahoma – Norman, OK
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 132 (tie)
Overview: University of Oklahoma is a public institution that was founded in 1890. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,046 (fall 2023), and the campus size is 3,326 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Oklahoma’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #132. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,595; out-of-state tuition and fees are $26,665. 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. 11 in SEC: University of Kentucky – Lexington, KY
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 152 (tie)
Overview: University of Kentucky is a public institution that was founded in 1865. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,930 (fall 2023), its setting is city, and the campus size is 918 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Kentucky’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #152. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,502; out-of-state tuition and fees are $34,140. 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. 12 (tie) in SEC: University of Mississippi – Oxford, MS
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 171 (tie)
Overview: University of Mississippi is a public institution that was founded in 1848. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 19,094 (fall 2023), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 3,693 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Mississippi’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #171. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,772; out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,600. 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. 12 (tie) in SEC: University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, AL
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 171 (tie)
Overview: The University of Alabama is a public institution that was founded in 1831. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 33,435 (fall 2023), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,143 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. The University of Alabama’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #171. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,180; out-of-state tuition and fees are $34,172. 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. 14 in SEC: Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, LA
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 179 (tie)
Overview: Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge is a public institution that was founded in 1860. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 32,574 (fall 2023), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 2,000 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #179. Its in-state tuition and fees are $11,954; out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,631. 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. 15 in SEC: University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, AR
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 189 (tie)
Overview: University of Arkansas is a public institution that was founded in 1871. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,472 (fall 2023), its setting is city, and the campus size is 709 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Arkansas’ ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #189. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,104; out-of-state tuition and fees are $29,966. 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. 16 in SEC: Mississippi State University – Starkville, MS
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 214 (tie)
Overview: Mississippi State University is a public institution that was founded in 1878. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,230 (fall 2023), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 4,200 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Mississippi State University’s ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #214. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,202; out-of-state tuition and fees are $27,637. 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