U.S. News 2025 rankings: All 18 Big Ten universities listed by academic performance

The Big Ten prides itself on being the premier academic conference while also having a strong athletic foundation across all of the major sports. No other conference can boast high-profile academics and athletics the way the Big Ten can. Seventeen of the 18 member institutions are members of the Association of American Universities, an organization devoted to strong academics and research. Nebraska is the only school not in the AAU.

Last year, the Big Ten added four schools, Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington, to bring more prestige to the conference academically and athletically.

U.S. News & World Report has updated its academic rankings for 2025. Here is where each Big Ten school ranks against each other, as well as the national ranking, total enrollment and acceptance rate.

18. University of Nebraska

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 03: Donde Plowman, Executive Vice Chancellor at UNL, gives Brian Vaske, CEO of ITI Data, a tour of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus during the 2017 Alumni Masters Week. on November 3, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for ITI Data)

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

U.S. News rank: 152 (tie)(previously: 159)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 19,338

Acceptance rate: 77% (down from 79%)

17. University of Oregon

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

The Hamilton Hall complete, left, next to the newer Unthank Hall on the University of Oregon campus.

Location: Eugene, Oregon

U.S. News rank: 109 (previously: 98)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 19,963

Acceptance rate: 85% (down from 86%)

16. University of Iowa

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

People walk through a snowy scene Wednesday, March 5, 2025 on the University of Iowa campus in downtown Iowa City, Iowa.

Location: Iowa City, Iowa

U.S. News rank: 98 (previously: 90)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 22,130

Acceptance rate: 85% (down from 86%)

15. Indiana University

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities Tom Morrision presents proposals during the university's trustee meeting at Henke Hall at Memorial Stadium at Indiana University Bloomington Campus on Friday, June 14, 2024.

Location: Bloomington, Indiana

U.S. News rank: 73 (same as before)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 36,833

Acceptance rate: 80% (down from 82%)

13. The Pennsylvania State University

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

The Nittany Lion watches a news station shoot b-roll on an empty Penn State York campus on May 14, 2025.

Location: University Park, Pennsylvania

U.S. News rank: 63 (tie)(previously: 60)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 42,223

Acceptance rate: 54% (down from 55%)

13. Michigan State University

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

The courtyard behind Wonders Hall on the Michigan State University campus on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in East Lansing.

Location: East Lansing, Michigan

U.S. News rank: 63 (tie)(previously: 60)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 40,483

Acceptance rate: 84% (down from 88%)

12. University of Minnesota

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

November 9, 2022; Minnesota, MN; Researcher Nicole Bedera poses for a portrait on the campus of the University of Minnesota on November 9, 2022 in Minneapolis, MN, United States. Bedera embedded herself in a university Title IX office for a year and wrote a groundbreaking dissertation criticizing its work. Mandatory Credit: -USA TODAY NETWORK

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

U.S. News rank: 54 (previously: 53)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 39,556

Acceptance rate: 77%

10. University of Washington

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 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.

Location: Seattle, Washington

U.S. News rank: 46 (tie)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 39,125

Acceptance rate: 43% (down from 48%)

Big Ten rank: Down from No. 8

10. Purdue University

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 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.

Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

U.S. News rank: 46 (tie) (previously: 43)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 39,170

Acceptance rate: 50% (down from 50%)

9. University of Maryland

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 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.

Location: College Park, Maryland

U.S. News rank: 44 (previously: 46)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 30,608

Acceptance rate: 45%

Big Ten rank: Up from No. 11

7. Rutgers University

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 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

Location: New Brunswick/Piscataway, New Jersey

U.S. News rank: 41 (tie)(same as before)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 36,588

Acceptance rate: 65% (down from 66%)

7. The Ohio State University

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

A sign is seen at the entrance of campus at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio on November 6, 2023.

Location: Columbus, Ohio

U.S. News rank: 41 (tie) (previously: 43)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 45,728

Acceptance rate: 51% (down from 53%)

Big Ten rank: Up from No. 9

6. University of Wisconsin

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 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.

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

U.S. News rank: 39 (previously: 35)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 37,817

Acceptance rate: 43% (down from 49%)

5. University of Illinois

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Nov 28, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; The Alma Mater is seen on campus. Due to COVD-19 concerns a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Ohio State Buckeyes has been cancelled. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Location: Champaign, Illinois

U.S. News rank: 33 (previously: 35)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 35,564

Acceptance rate: 44% (down from 45%)

4. University of Southern California

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

Feb 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Tommy Trojan statue on the campus of the University of Southern California. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Location: Los Angeles, California

U.S. News rank: 27 (previously: 28)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 21,023

Acceptance rate: 10% (down from 12%)

3. University of Michigan

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

U.S. News rank: 21 (tie)(same as before)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 33,730

Acceptance rate: 18%

2. University of California, Los Angeles

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 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

Location: Los Angeles (Westwood), California

U.S. News rank: 15 (same as before)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 33,040

Acceptance rate: 9%

1. Northwestern University

18. University of Nebraska, 17. University of Oregon, 16. University of Iowa, 15. Indiana University, 13. The Pennsylvania State University, 13. Michigan State University, 12. University of Minnesota, 10. University of Washington, 10. Purdue University, 9. University of Maryland, 7. Rutgers University, 7. The Ohio State University , 6. University of Wisconsin, 5. University of Illinois, 4. University of Southern California, 3. University of Michigan, 2. University of California, Los Angeles, 1. Northwestern University

People walk on the campus of Northwestern University, a day after a U.S. official said $790 million in federal funding has been frozen for the University while it investigates the school over civil rights violationsm in Evanston, Illinois U.S. April 9, 2025. REUTERS/Vincent Alban

Location: Evanston, Illinois

U.S. News rank: 6 (tie) (previously: 9)

Total enrollment fall 2023: 8,846

Acceptance rate: 7%

There isn't much change to the 2024 rankings, but some schools did move, and certainly there were some changes to some of the acceptance rates.

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