Once again, Auburn is the highest-ranked university in Alabama, this time ranking at No. 105 in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges list.
No schools in the state ranked in the company’s top 100 this year. Last year, Auburn was ranked 93.
The University of Alabama is 171st, down one from last year. UA is tied with Samford University, which jumped 14 spots this year.
Two universities made jumps from the 2024 rankings. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is 136th, up six from last year. The University of South Alabama is 371st, up 11 from last year.
University of Alabama at Huntsville is 244th, down from 227 last year.
Best National Liberal Arts College in Alabama
With the closing of Birmingham-Southern College, the only Alabama liberal arts college to rank in this year’s list is Oakwood University, coming in at 182nd. Oakwood is a private, historically Black Seventh-day Adventist institution.
Alabama top Regional University Rankings
Tuskegee University is ranked ninth among the best universities in the South. Nine other universities made the list this year, many of which are ranked in the top 100.
23rd: University of Montevallo
26th: University of North Alabama
45th: Troy University
55th: Jacksonville State University
65th: Auburn University at Montgomery
73rd: University of Mobile
82nd: University of West Alabama
97th: Alabama A&M University
120th: Faulkner University
Top Regional Public Universities in Alabama
The University of Montevallo dropped three spots among public universities in the South but was still ranked 10th. Six universities cracked the top 50 list this year, including:
12th: University of North Alabama
19th: Troy University
25th: Jacksonville State University
32nd: Auburn University at Montgomery
41st: University of West Alabama
49th: Alabama A&M University
Regional College Rankings
Five colleges made the best in the South list this year. Coming in at 8th is Huntingdon College. Spring Hill College is ranked 17th.
Other colleges in the top 100 include Talladega College, ranked 72nd; Miles College, 83rd; and Stillman College, 87th.
Last year’s list had significant methodology changes, including emphasizing social mobility for graduates.
This year, the most impactful methodology change was the removal of six-year bachelor’s graduation rates of first-generation students as a ranking factor.
Instead, the publication increased the weight of Pell Grant student graduation.
Of course, this list isn’t representative of everyone’s opinions on their favorite college, but U.S. News and World Report’s list includes many factors. Graduation rates, first-year retention rates, and student-to-faculty ratios are among the 18 indicators included in the methodology.