SEC schools ranked academically by U.S. News for 2025

The SEC is 16 teams deep with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, who, while offering impressive athletic programs, are also scholastically strong. Over the years, those who don't pay attention to college rankings, strictly based on academics, shy away from the SEC, mainly due to its dominance and focus on football and basketball, as many ignore what each school offers outside of sports.

In the Lone Star State, Texas and Texas A&M are two of the best state schools in the country. They offer a private school-like education and a wide variety of majors that can lead to a lucrative and rewarding future. In the South, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Mississippi State have strengths in journalism, agriculture and engineering. They provide low in-state tuition for students not looking to break the bank and stay close to home to earn a degree.

Every year, US News releases its national university rankings. While Harvard, Princeton and Stanford top the list each year, all but a small handful of the 16 SEC universities are ranked within the top 150, including several in the top 50. Again, every school possesses separate strengths in the classroom, so these rankings don't define each university's value.

Nearly matching the recent Academic Progress Rate performance in the conference, here is where every SEC program is in the latest U.S. News & World Report's 2025 academic rankings.

16. Mississippi State University

City: Starkville, Mississippi

National ranking: No. 214

Acceptance rate: 76%

Mississippi State is known for its traditions, especially the cowbells at football games. Still, it is a popular destination for Mississippi-based students who want to major in business, management and exercise science.

15. University of Arkansas

City: Fayetteville, Arkansas

National ranking: No. 189

Acceptance rate: 72%

Arkansas is highly affordable for in-state students and, like Mississippi State, is a popular destination for those wanting to major in business/management.

14. Louisiana State University

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier 13 throws a pass as the LSU Tigers take on the Oklahoma Sooners. Nov 30, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.

City: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

National ranking: No. 179

Acceptance rate: 74%

LSU is known for its historic football program, but it is also a top-100-ranked public university focusing on business, engineering and biomedical science.

13. University of Mississippi

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

City: Oxford, Mississippi

National ranking: No. 171 (tie)

Acceptance rate: 98%

Ole Miss is a popular destination for fraternity and sorority life. It offers a respectable communications/media program for students wanting to work in journalism or news.

12. University of Alabama

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

City: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

National ranking: No. 171 (tie with Ole Miss)

Acceptance rate: 76%

Alabama's football lineage may not match its academic prestige, but the Crimson Tide is a popular school for both in-state and out-of-state students who want to attend law school or enter the business world.

11. University of Kentucky

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

Nov 16, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats tight end Khamari Anderson (15) celebrates with wide receiver Ja'Mori Maclin (9) after Maclin scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Murray State Racers at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

City: Lexington, Kentucky

National ranking: No. 152

Acceptance rate: 92%

Kentucky is known for its historic basketball program, but it is also a great option for those who want to enter the health care industry or journalism.

10. University of Oklahoma

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

Gary Reid waits for Oklahoma to un onto the field during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Crimson Combine at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April, 12, 2025.

City: Norman, Oklahoma

National ranking: No. 132

Acceptance rate: 76%

Oklahoma is the 68th best public school and is a popular option for in-state students who do not have an alumni relationship with Oklahoma State.

9. University of South Carolina

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

City: Columbia, South Carolina

National ranking: No. 121

Acceptance rate: 61%

As we get deeper down the list of SEC Universites, the acceptance rates become more selective, including South Carolina, which ranks as the 61st best public school in the country.

8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

A view of the pedestrian bridge during the first day of the fall semester on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

City: Knoxville, Tennessee

National ranking: No. 109 (tie)

Acceptance rate: 46%

Tennessee offers a fantastic education opportunity and in-state tuition that does not break the bank for students looking stay home.

7. University of Missouri

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

Denny Medley-Imagn Images

City: Columbia, Missouri

National ranking: No. 109 (tie)

Acceptance rate: 77%

Missouri is one of the best journalism schools in the country, and it offers in-state tuition rates that are very appealing for Missouri-based students looking to stay close to home.

6. Auburn University

City: Auburn, Alabama

National ranking: No. 105

Acceptance rate: 50%

Auburn University is the 51st-ranked public school, offering one of the best engineering programs. It is also a popular business, management, and marketing destination.

5. Texas A&M University

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

City: College Station, Texas

National ranking: No. 51

Acceptance rate: 63%

Texas A&M is one of the best public universities in the country, leading the way in engineering, marine biology and agriculture.

4. University of Georgia

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

[Photo/Joshua L. Jones, Athens Banner-Herald]

City: Athens, Georgia

National ranking: No. 46

Acceptance rate: 37%

Georgia is one of the more selective public universities that offers one of the cheapest in-state tuition options in the country.

3. University of Texas — Austin

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

(Credit: Jay Janner/American-Statesman)

City: Austin, Texas

National ranking: No. 30 (tie)

Acceptance rate: 29%

Known as one of the "little Ivys," Austin continues to be weird, while the University is one of the top schools in the country, producing future engineers, doctors and lawyers.

2. University of Florida

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

City: Gainesville, Florida

National ranking: No. 30 (tie)

Acceptance rate: 24%

Florida offers plenty of sunshine and the ability to wear shorts all year, but don't be fooled by the relaxed environment. The university is by far the top school in the state and is considered an elite undergraduate degree program for any field, especially agriculture.

1. Vanderbilt University

16. Mississippi State University, 15. University of Arkansas , 14. Louisiana State University, 13. University of Mississippi, 12. University of Alabama, 11. University of Kentucky, 10. University of Oklahoma, 9. University of South Carolina , 8. University of Tennessee — Knoxville , 7. University of Missouri , 6. Auburn University, 5. Texas A&M University, 4. University of Georgia , 3. University of Texas — Austin , 2. University of Florida , 1. Vanderbilt University

Students walk past the Faye and Joe Wyatt Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.

City: Nashville, Tennessee

National ranking: No. 18

Acceptance rate: 6%

Vanderbilt tops the list, which is unsurprising. Outside of the Ivy League, Vanderbilt is equal to or better than the Ivy League in some aspects.

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