It is that time of year again! The new U.S. News & World Report college and university rankings are out. Each year, the publication ranks the top undergraduate schools in America based on academic excellence. Longhorns fans have long been proud of the academic standing of the University of Texas. Has UT’s ranking changed over the past year?
Texas is an original “Public Ivy,” a term originated in a 1985 book that listed the best state and public schools in America. UT was on the original list and remains in the top 10 public universities in the country, coming in at No. 7.
According to U.S. News methodology, schools with the highest overall rankings provided ample classroom resources for students and faculty, maintained high graduation and retention rates, conferred a high rate of degrees and produced graduates who entered the workforce with manageable debt and competitive starting salaries.
How did Texas do this year? UT’s rank didn’t change from 2024. The Forty Acres holds firm at No. 30 nationally among both public and private universities. Texas is the top public institution in the state of Texas, No. 2 behind Rice overall.
Eleven league schools had their overall rankings change. The University of Oklahoma had the biggest jump: No. 132 to No. 110.
UT-Austin is the top public school in the SEC, along with the University of Florida. The Gators and Longhorns are tied at No. 30. Private Vanderbilt is No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference, coincidentally tied with Rice at No. 17.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, Texas set records for its four-year graduation rate (75.7%) and first-year retention rate (97.1%). The university conferred 15,963 degrees, also a new high.
“Our commitment to the people of Texas is to deliver an uncompromising standard of academic excellence. That excellence is driving the highest demand and student performance in our University’s history, and today’s rankings validate our performance. I am grateful to our faculty and staff for their dedication to our students and their academic success.” – UT President Jim Davis
Of the 37 UT undergraduate programs evaluated, 24 rank in the top 10 among all universities nationally. Six programs rank in the top five. All five are either in the McCombs School of Business (Accounting, Finance and Marketing) or in the Cockrell School of Engineering (Petroleum, Chemical and Civil Engineering). Three programs returned to the top 10 this year: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science Theory and Biomedical Engineering. Thirty-two programs are ranked No. 1 in Texas.
As for the SEC, there is a definite top tier in the conference. Vandy, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M are ranked among the top 51 in the nation. There’s a pretty big gap before you get to Auburn, Tennessee and Missouri, which are tied at No. 102. Mississippi State brings up the rear (not just in football), ranked at No. 208.
Full SEC Academic Rankings:
No. 1 in SEC: Vanderbilt University – Nashville, Tennessee
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 17 (tie) | Rankings Change: +1
Rankings Analysis: Like Rice, Vandy is an amazing academic institution. It will most likely always be No. 1 in the conference.
Overview: Vanderbilt University is a private institution that was founded in 1873. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Vanderbilt University is ranked No. 17 among national universities. It’s also ranked No. 6 in lowest acceptance rates.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,221 (fall 2024), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 333 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Vanderbilt University is 8:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 2 (tie) in SEC: University of Texas – Austin, Texas
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 30 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Rankings Analysis: Texas holds firm at No. 2 (with Florida). It is the top public school in the conference, in the state and in the south.
Overview: The University of Texas-Austin is a public institution that was founded in 1883. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, The University of Texas-Austin is ranked No. 30 among national universities. It’s also ranked No. 7 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 43,165 (fall 2024), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 431 acres. The student-faculty ratio at The University of Texas-Austin is 18:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 2 (tie) in SEC: University of Florida – Gainesville, Florida
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 30 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Rankings Analysis: Like Texas, Florida holds firm at No. 30. Who knew when Texas moved to the SEC, the Gators would most closely resemble UT?
Overview: University of Florida is a public institution that was founded in 1853. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Florida is ranked No. 30 among national universities. It’s also ranked No. 7 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 36,573 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 2,000 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Florida is 16:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 4 in SEC: University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 46 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Rankings Analysis: There is little movement at the top of the rankings. When schools are academically excellent, they tend to stay there. So moving up or down in the top 50 is difficult.
Overview: University of Georgia is a public institution that was founded in 1785. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Georgia is ranked No. 46 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 19 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 32,399 (fall 2024), and the campus size is 767 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Georgia is 17:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 5 in SEC: Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 51 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Rankings Analysis: The Aggies hold at No. 51. That’s 21 spots behind the Longhorns if you’re scoring at home. Here ends the top academic tier of the SEC.
Overview: Texas A&M University is a public institution that was founded in 1876. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Texas A&M University is ranked No. 51 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 21 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 60,710 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 5,200 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Texas A&M University is 21:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 6 (tie) in SEC: Auburn University – Auburn, Alabama
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 102 (tie) | Rankings Change: +3
Rankings Analysis: Auburn jumps three spots academically. Tigers fans can definitely hold this over the heads of Alabama fans.
Overview: Auburn University is a public institution that was founded in 1856. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Auburn University is ranked No. 102 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 46 in lowest acceptance rate.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,907 (fall 2024), and the campus size is 1,875 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Auburn University is 21:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 6 (tie) in SEC: University of Missouri – Columbia, Missouri
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 102 (tie) | Rankings Change: +7
Rankings Analysis: Mizzou makes a pretty significant seven spot jump. It has always had one of the best journalism schools in the nation.
Overview: University of Missouri is a public institution that was founded in 1839. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Missouri is ranked No. 102 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 49 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 24,449 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,262 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Missouri is 17:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 6 (tie) in SEC: University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Tennessee
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 109 (tie) | Rankings Change: +7
Rankings Analysis: Tennessee, like Mizzou, makes a seven spot jump. The two were tied last year and join in a three-way tie with Auburn. What are the odds?
Overview: University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public institution that was founded in 1794. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Tennessee-Knoxville is ranked No. 102 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 28 among the most innovative schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,564 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 910 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Tennessee-Knoxville is 18:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 9 in SEC: University of Oklahoma – Norman, Oklahoma
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 132 (tie) | Rankings Change: +22
Rankings Analysis: OU makes the biggest jump and leaps over South Carolina in the overall SEC rankings.
Overview: The University of Oklahoma is a public institution that was founded in 1890. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, The University of Oklahoma is ranked No. 110 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 54 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,351 (fall 2024), and the campus size is 3,326 acres. The student-faculty ratio at The University of Oklahoma is 18:1. More Info
No. 10 in SEC: University of South Carolina – Columbia, South Carolina
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 121 (tie) | Rankings Change: -6
Rankings Analysis: The ONLY school to fall in the 2025 update was South Carolina, tumbling from No. 121 to No. 127.
Overview: University of South Carolina is a public institution that was founded in 1801. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of South Carolina is ranked No. 127 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 63 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,187 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 444 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of South Carolina is 20:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 11 in SEC: University of Kentucky – Lexington, Kentucky
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 143 (tie) | Rankings Change: +9
Rankings Analysis: Kentucky gets a nice nine bump of nine spots. But it was not enough to pass the Gamecocks.
Overview: University of Kentucky is a public institution that was founded in 1865. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Kentucky is ranked No. 143 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 74 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 25,534 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 918 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Kentucky is 18:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 12 (tie) in SEC: University of Mississippi – Oxford, Mississippi
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 169 (tie) | Rankings Change: +2
Rankings Analysis: Ole Miss jumps two spots. Last year, Mississippi was tied with Alabama. This year, Ole Miss is in a three-way tie.
Overview: University of Mississippi is a public institution that was founded in 1848. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Mississippi is ranked No. 169 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 92 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,585 (fall 2024), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 3,693 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Mississippi is 18:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 12 (tie) in SEC: University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 169 (tie) | Rankings Change: +2
Rankings Analysis: Like Ole Miss, Alabama jumps a couple spots.
Overview: The University of Alabama is a public institution that was founded in 1831. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, The University of Alabama is ranked No. 169 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 92 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 34,389 (fall 2024), its setting is suburban and the campus size is 1,143 acres. The student-faculty ratio at The University of Alabama is 19:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 12 (tie) in SEC: Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 169 (tie) | Rankings Change: +10
Rankings Analysis: The second biggest jump in the SEC was LSU, which improved 10 spots in the overall ranking. Louisiana State is tied with Ole Miss and Alabama. So if you’re a Tide or Rebels fan and you used to hold that over your LSU friends … stop it. You’re all the same now.
Overview: Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge is a public institution that was founded in 1860. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge is ranked No. 169 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 92 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 34,242 (fall 2024), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 2,000 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge is 21:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 15 in SEC: University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, Arkansas
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 183 (tie) | Rankings Change: +6
Rankings Analysis: Arkansas jumps six spots in the overall rankings, but holds firm at second from the bottom in the SEC.
Overview: University of Arkansas is a public institution that was founded in 1871. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Arkansas is ranked No. 183 among national universities. It’s ranked No. #100 in Top Public Schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 28,859 (fall 2024), its setting is city and the campus size is 720 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Arkansas is 20:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
No. 16 in SEC: Mississippi State University – Starkville, Mississippi
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 208 (tie) | Rankings Change: +6
Rankings Analysis: Hail State gets a nice little six point bump. But, as we’ve learned since joining the SEC, the Bulldogs are generally last in most things.
Overview: Mississippi State University is a public institution that was founded in 1878. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Mississippi State University is ranked No. 208 among national universities. It’s ranked No. 115 among public schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,567 (fall 2024), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 4,200 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Mississippi State University is 16:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: New, updated ranking all 16 SEC schools academically by U.S. News & World Report
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
