GATORS
SEC academic rankings for 2026
Adam DubbinGators Wire
July 8, 2026Updated July 9, 2026, 6:28 p.m. ET
- Vanderbilt University is the highest-ranked SEC school in the latest U.S. News & World Report survey.
- The University of Florida and the University of Texas are tied for the second-highest academic ranking in the conference.
- U.S. News ranks schools based on factors like graduation rates, retention, and post-graduate success.
- The University of Oklahoma saw the biggest jump in its ranking, moving up 22 spots.
The U.S. News & World Report college and university rankings have been updated, and once again, the University of Florida ranks among the top schools in the nation — much to the delight of the Gator Nation
Each year, the publication ranks the top undergraduate schools in America based on academic excellence. This time, Florida maintained its overall ranking at No. 30, tying the University of Texas. Both are among the highly acclaimed “Public Ivy” institutions perceived to be on par with the quality of collegiate experience that Ivy League universities offer
According to U.S. News methodology, schools with the highest overall rankings provided ample classroom reetention rates, conferred a high rate of degrees and produced graduates who entered the workforce with manageable debt and competitive starting salaries
So how do all 16 SEC schools compare academically? Predictably, Vanderbilt University, a prestigious private institution, remains atop the conference schools ranking. After that are Florida and Texas. From there, the rest battle for academic supremacy in the classroom
While many school rankings were unchanged from the previous update, some underwent changes. Take a look below at how every school ranks in the latest survey of the nation’s best colleges and universities
No. 1 in SEC: Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 17 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
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 is No. 6 in lowest acceptance rates
It has an undergraduate enrollment of 7,221 (fall 2024), its setting is urban and its 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 Florida (Gainesville, Florida)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 30 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
University of Florida is a public institution that was founded in 1853. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Florida is No. 30 among national universities. It is No. 7 among top public schools
It has an 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. 2 (tie) in SEC: University of Texas (Austin, Texas)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 30 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
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 No. 30 among national universities. It is No. 7 among public schools
It has an 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
Read more at Longhorns Wire
No. 4 in SEC: University of Georgia (Athens, Georgia)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 46 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Overview: University of Georgia is a public institution that was founded in 1785. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Georgia is No. 46 among national universities. It is No. 19 among public schools
It has an 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
Read more at UGA Wire
No. 5 in SEC: Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 51 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
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 No. 51 among national universities. It is No. 21 among public schools
It has an 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
Read more at Aggies Wire
No. 6 (tie) in SEC: Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 102 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Overview: Auburn University is a public institution that was founded in 1856. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Auburn University is No. 102 among national universities. It is No. 46 in lowest acceptance rate
It has an 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
Read more at Auburn Wire
No. 6 (tie) in SEC: University of Missouri (Columbia, Missouri)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 102 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Overview: University of Missouri is a public institution that was founded in 1839. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Missouri is No. 102 among national universities. It is No. 49 among public schools
It has an 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: No Change
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 No. 102 among national universities. It is No. 28 among the most innovative schools
It has an 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
Read more at Vols Wire
No. 9 in SEC: University of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 110 (tie) | Rankings Change: +22
Overview: The University of Oklahoma is a public institution that was founded in 1890. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Oklahoma is No. 110 among national universities. It is 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 Oklahoma is 18:1. More Info
Read more at Sooners Wire
No. 10 in SEC: University of South Carolina (Columbia, South Carolina)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 127 (tie) | Rankings Change: -6
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 No. 127 among national universities. It is No. 63 among public schools
It has an 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: No Change
Overview: University of Kentucky is a public institution that was founded in 1865. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Kentucky is No. 143 among national universities. It is No. 74 among public schools
It has an 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
Read more at UK Wildcats Wire
No. 12 (tie) in SEC: University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 169 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Overview: The University of Alabama is a public institution that was founded in 1831. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Alabama is No. 169 among national universities. It is No. 92 among public schools
It has an undergraduate enrollment of 34,389 (fall 2024). Its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,143 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Alabama is 19:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Read more at Roll Tide Wire
No. 12 (tie) in SEC: Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 169 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Overview: Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is a public institution that was founded in 1860. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, LSU is No. 169 among national universities. It is No. 92 among public schools
It has an undergraduate enrollment of 34,242 (fall 2024). Its setting is urban, and the campus size is 2,000 acres. The student-faculty ratio at LSU Baton Rouge is 21:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Read more at LSU Tigers Wire
No. 12 (tie) in SEC: University of Mississippi (Oxford, Mississippi)
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: 169 (tie) | Rankings Change: No Change
Overview: University of Mississippi is a public institution that was founded in 1848. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Mississippi is No. 169 among national universities. It is No. 92 among public schools
It has an undergraduate enrollment of 21,585 (fall 2024). Its setting is rural, and the campus size is 3,693 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Mississippi is 18:1, 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: No Change
Overview: University of Arkansas is a public institution that was founded in 1871. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Arkansas is No. 183 among national universities. It is No. 100 in top public schools
It has an 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: No Change
Overview: Mississippi State University is a public institution that was founded in 1878. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Mississippi State is No. 208 among national universities. It is No. 115 among public schools
It has an 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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