Big Ten schools ranked academically by U.S. News for 2025

After a full calendar year of athletics, the 18-member Big Ten Conference now has a sense of permanence.

At this time last year, former Pac-12 schools Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA had yet to take the football field or basketball court as conference members. At that point, the memory of the Pac-12 Conference was still prominent.

Now, Oregon football is the reigning Big Ten champion and UCLA men's basketball is one of the conference's top contenders. Outside of the two major sports, those new programs claimed multiple conference titles, including Oregon women's cross country, USC/UCLA women's soccer, Oregon men's and women's indoor track and field, USC/UCLA women's basketball, UCLA women's gymnastics, Oregon women's golf and UCLA men's golf.

In the classroom, the new 18-member conference is unmatched. Its Academic Progress Rate performance is one major indicator, and several conference football programs are among the nation's best.

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; The Nebraska Cornhuskers flag is waved after a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

City: Lincoln, Nebraska

National ranking: No. 152 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 159 overall, No. 18 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 77%

Nebraska rose seven spots in the national rankings in 2025. Still, there is a big gap between it and the 17th-ranked school. A significant jump is needed for it to join the rest of the conference.

17. University of Oregon

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Students walk between classes near the Lillis Business Complex on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.

City: Eugene, Oregon

National ranking: No. 109 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 98 overall, No. 17 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 85%

Oregon slipped in U.S. News' latest college hierarchy. The football program, while the Big Ten champion, is also last in the conference in Academic Progress Rate. The Ducks look to trend positively in both of those numbers in the coming years.

16. University of Iowa

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Nov 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; A general view of Kinnick Stadium before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

City: Iowa City, Iowa

National ranking: No. 98 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 93 overall, No. 16 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 85%

Iowa's ranking, like Oregon's, experienced a slight dip from 2024 to 2025. The school is tied with Colorado, Temple, Rutgers (Camden), Gonzaga, FIU and Yeshiva at No. 98 overall.

15. Indiana University -- Bloomington

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Sample Gates on Wednesay, May 22, 2024.

City: Bloomington, Indiana

National ranking: No. 73 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 73 overall, No. 15 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 80%

Indiana held its position from 2024. The rankings look largely similar from top to bottom, given many schools need significant jumps to overtake conference foes. Indiana is tied with SUNY Binghamton and Syracuse at No. 73.

13 (tie). Pennsylvania State University -- University Park

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Sep 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of Beaver Stadium prior to the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

City: University Park, Pennsylvania

National ranking: No. 63 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 60 overall, No. 14 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 54%

Penn State is tied with one other Big Ten school at No. 63 as well as Miami, Tulane, Santa Clara, George Washington and Brandeis. It dipped just three spots from its 2024 standing, though it remains in the same Big Ten tier.

13 (tie). Michigan State University

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Prospective students and their parents make a stop outside Spartan Stadium during a walking tour of the Michigan State University campus on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, in East Lansing.

City: East Lansing, Michigan

National ranking: No. 63 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 60 overall, No. 13 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 84%

Michigan State saw an identical move to Penn State, dropping three spots nationally while maintaining the same Big Ten standing. The football program's APR of 968 is 14th in the conference, a similar standing to its overall ranking. Out of the classroom, the Spartans, to no surprise, are the reigning Big Ten men's basketball champions.

12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Oct 29, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Pregame between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

City: Minneapolis, Minnesota

National ranking: No. 54 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 53 overall, No. 12 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 77%

Minnesota held its position in 2025. It is the last of the Big Ten schools ranked outside the nation's top 50, although it is not far from that group.

10 (tie). University of Washington

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Pedestrians walk past the Husky Union Building on March 20, 2021, on the University of Washington campus in Seattle, Washington.

City: Seattle, Washington

National ranking: No. 46 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 40 overall, No. 8 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 43%

Washington had one of the largest drops of any Big Ten member in the latest U.S. News ranking, dropping six spots nationally and two in the Big Ten. Still, it starts a run of 11 Big Ten members in the nation's top 50.

10 (tie). Purdue University -- Main Campus

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Students return to campus for the first day of the fall semester, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

City: West Lafayette, Indiana

National ranking: No. 46 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 43 overall, No. 10 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 50%

Purdue, like many other Big Ten schools, saw a slight dip nationally. It is tied with Washington for 10th in the Big Ten. However, just six national ranking spots stand between it and the conference's No. 7 school.

9. University of Maryland, College Park

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Cheerleaders assemble outside Reckord Armory Oct. 27, 2023 on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park for a launch event for the Maryland Service Year Option program.

City: College Park, Maryland

National ranking: No. 44 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 46 overall, No. 11 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 45%

Maryland rose slightly from its 2024 standing. While just ninth in the conference, it isn't far from a major step toward the top five. The school's athletic programs will be an interesting watch in 2025-26. Former Atlanta Braves executive James Smith is the new athletic director. He looks to provide Maryland much-needed stability after the school's basketball coach and AD each left in March.

7 (tie). Rutgers University -- New Brunswick

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

The Old Queens building on Hamilton Street on the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick. Weather Snow New Brunswick Rutgers 2 18 21 13

City: Piscataway, New Jersey

National ranking: No. 41 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 40 overall, No. 7 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 65%

Rutgers maintained its position in the U.S. News rankings. It sits comfortably within the nation's top 50, tied with one other Big Ten school and Boston University at No. 41. As noted, just a few rankings spots separate the school from the conference's top five.

7 (tie). The Ohio State University

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Ohio Stadium, also known as the Horseshoe, the Shoe, and the House That Harley Built, is on the campus of The Ohio State University. Photographed Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Doral Chenoweth/Columbus Dispatch) Ohio Stadium Dciii 01

City: Columbus, Ohio

National ranking: No. 41 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 43 overall, No. 9 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 51%

Ohio State's football national title was followed by a slight step forward in U.S. News' rankings. Just as impressive, the Buckeyes are the only football program with a perfect APR (1000). It's safe to say the school is in a strong standing both in and out of the classroom.

6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

State Street leads to the Wisconsin State Capitol on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison on Sept. 24, 2024.

City: Madison, Wisconsin

National ranking: No. 39 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 35 overall, No. 5 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 43%

Wisconsin trended negatively in this year's rankings. It is tied with UC Santa Barbara at No. 39 overall, now with significant separation between it and the conference's fifth-highest-ranked school.

5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; A general view during the first half in a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

City: Champaign, Illinois

National ranking: No. 33 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 35 overall, No. 6 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 44%

Illinois inched forward to No. 33 nationally. That rise overtook Wisconsin for No. 5 in the Big Ten. Illinois has impressive company at No. 33: UC-Davis, UC-Irvine and Georgia Tech.

4. University of Southern California

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

May 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general view of the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism on the campus of the University of Southern California. The building is the proposed site for the main press center for the 2024 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

City: Los Angeles, California

National ranking: No. 27 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 28 overall, No. 4 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 10%

USC begins the Big Ten's leading tier of schools ranked within the nation's top 30. The school is impressively tied with North Carolina for the No. 27 position. While the Trojans' football and men's basketball programs work to establish themselves in the Big Ten, the school already more than holds its own.

3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

An old fire truck carrying Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh and some of his star players brings up the rear of the parade as it started on the campus in Ann Arbor on Saturday, January 13, 2024.

City: Ann Arbor, Michigan

National ranking: No. 21 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 21 overall, No. 3 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 18%

No change for Michigan in this year's ranking. The school is tied with Washington University and Carnegie Mellon at No. 21. It held the Big Ten's second-highest ranking for an extended time, until another conference newcomer stole that position.

2. University of California -- Los Angeles

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Mar 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; A general overall aerial view of Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom on the campus of UCLA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

City: Los Angeles, California

National ranking: No. 15 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 15 overall, No. 2 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 9%

UCLA has some breathing room at No. 2 in the conference, sitting a full six national ranking spots higher than Michigan. The school is tied with Dartmouth at No. 15. While not in the nation's top 10, UCLA still sets the standard for Big Ten academics.

1. Northwestern University

18. University of Nebraska -- Lincoln, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University -- Bloomington, 12. University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, 9. University of Maryland, College Park, 6. University of Wisconsin -- Madison, 5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, 2. University of California -- Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Apr 25, 2014; Evanston, IL, USA; A general view of athletics facilities as Northwestern Wildcat football players are on the campus to vote on whether to unionize at Northwestern University. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

City: Evanston, Illinois

National ranking: No. 6 (tied)

  • 2024 rank: No. 9 overall, No. 1 Big Ten

Acceptance rate: 7%

No one should be surprised Northwestern again captures the title as the Big Ten's highest-ranked school. It actually took a significant jump forward from 2024, rising three spots to No. 6. Northwestern trails only the following schools atop the national rankings: Yale, Stanford, Harvard, MIT and Princeton.

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