Big Ten schools ranked academically by U.S. News for 2025
Big Ten schools ranked academically by U.S. News for 2025
It's called college athletics for a reason, with "college" being the main thing.
Despite all the money now in college athletics, the players you watch on the field are still student-athletes. While we keep up with the stats and wins and losses on the field, what the athletes do in the classroom is also accounted for.
In Oregon's first year as members of the Big Ten Conference, they excelled on the field, winning the Big Ten Championship in seven major sports, including football, baseball, softball, women's cross country, men's indoor track & field, women's indoor track & field, and women's golf.
In Oregon's first academic year in the Big Ten, though, the Ducks seemingly have some work to do. While they are decent in the classroom on a national level, they could improve in comparison to other Big Ten institutions. At large, 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.
Another indicator is U.S. News & World Report's latest 2025 academic rankings. Unsurprisingly, the Big Ten again delivered terrific results:
18. University of Nebraska
City: Lincoln, Nebraska
National ranking: No. 152 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 159 overall, No. 18 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 77%
17. University of Oregon
City: Eugene, Oregon
National ranking: No. 109 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 98 overall, No. 17 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 85%
16. University of Iowa
City: Iowa City, Iowa
National ranking: No. 98 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 93 overall, No. 16 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 85%
15. Indiana University -- Bloomington
City: Bloomington, Indiana
National ranking: No. 73 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 73 overall, No. 15 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 80%
13 (tie). Penn State University
City: University Park, Pennsylvania
National ranking: No. 63 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 60 overall, No. 14 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 84%
13 (tie). Michigan State University
City: East Lansing, Michigan
National ranking: No. 63 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 60 overall, No. 13 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 84%
12. University of Minnesota
City: Minneapolis, Minnesota
National ranking: No. 54 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 53 overall, No. 12 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 77%
10 (tie). University of Washington
City: Seattle, Washington
National ranking: No. 46 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 40 overall, No. 8 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 43%
10 (tie). Purdue University
City: West Lafayette, Indiana
National ranking: No. 46 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 43 overall, No. 10 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 50%
9. University of Maryland
City: College Park, Maryland
National ranking: No. 44 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 46 overall, No. 11 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 45%
7 (tie). Rutgers University
City: Piscataway, New Jersey
National ranking: No. 41 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 40 overall, No. 7 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 65%
7 (tie). The Ohio State University
City: Columbus, Ohio
National ranking: No. 41 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 43 overall, No. 9 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 51%
6. University of Wisconsin
City: Madison, Wisconsin
National ranking: No. 39 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 35 overall, No. 5 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 43%
5. University of Illinois
City: Champaign, Illinois
National ranking: No. 33 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 35 overall, No. 6 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 44%
4. University of Southern California
City: Los Angeles, California
National ranking: No. 27 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 28 overall, No. 4 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 10%
3. University of Michigan
City: Ann Arbor, Michigan
National ranking: No. 21 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 21 overall, No. 3 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 18%
2. UCLA
City: Los Angeles, California
National ranking: No. 15 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 15 overall, No. 2 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 9%
1. Northwestern University
City: Evanston, Illinois
National ranking: No. 6 (tied)
2024 rank: No. 9 overall, No. 1 Big Ten
Acceptance rate: 7%
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
5-Star Oregon Football Target Makes Announcement After Visit With Ducks
5-Star Oregon Football Target Makes Announcement After Visit With Ducks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning is up for a pivotal weekend, as he and his staff are hosting a handful of five-star and blue-chip prospects on official visits. Advertisement One name involved with the Ducks this week is five-star safety Joey O'Brien, who would be a massive get for Lanning and co. According to 247Sports, Oregon ranks No. 29 in the nation with their 2026 recruiting class at this time -- which is subpar to Lanning's standard in Eugene. Landing O'Brien, a Pennsylvania native, would be phenomenal for Lanning's class, especially if Oregon can receive commitments from others on the trip this week. Battling Penn State, Clemson and Notre Dame, Oregon will soon know where O'Brien will pledge his services, as the highly-touted safety has announced when he will make his announcement. Advertisement O'Brien will choose between the four programs on June 20, which isn't long after his visit with Oregon. "Almost that time!" O'Brien shared on X after his commitment date was revealed. Given that the Ducks are getting a great chance to sell the safety on landing in Eugene this close to his commitment, Lanning might be able to secure O'Brien over their new Big Ten rival, Penn State. Still, Penn State's proximity to O'Brien, as a Pennsylvania native, might give them a leg up when it comes to decision day. According to 247Sports, O'Brien is the No. 30-ranked prospect in the 2026 class and the No. 4-ranked safety. Advertisement The Ducks won't get the last word in the blue-chip recruitment, as he will be visiting Notre Dame next weekend to round out his trips before his commitment. Oregon would love to land O'Brien's services and bolster their 2026 recruiting class with another five-star talent, as they could be up for a pivotal few weeks. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Iowa football QB Mark Gronowski leads the pack of best Big Ten returning quarterbacks
Iowa football QB Mark Gronowski leads the pack of best Big Ten returning quarterbacks As the summer months continue to slowly creep by as the 2025 college football season kickoff looms, there is a growing sense of expectations and excitement surrounding the Iowa Hawkeyes and the noise they could potentially make this fall. The reason for the anticipation rests on the shoulders of their new quarterback, South Dakota State Jackrabbits transfer Mark Gronowski. Expected to be one of the most impactful transfers in the Big Ten, the Hawkeyes and their faithful are hoping that he can continue the dominance that he showed at the FCS level while winning two national championships. Mark Gronowski's arm talent and running ability are undeniable, and that combination of skill sets has him ranked as the top returning quarterback in the Big Ten entering 2025, per Pro Football Focus. While at South Dakota State, Mark Gronowski threw for 10,330 yards and 93 touchdowns while adding 1,767 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns on the ground to prove that defenses have to game plan for him in a multitude of ways. Other Big Ten quarterbacks returning in 2025 that could lead their teams to a successful year, or even a College Football Playoff run, include Penn State's Drew Allar, UCLA's new QB Nico Iamaleava, Indiana's new QB Fernando Mendoza, and Luke Altmyer, the signal caller of the Illinois Fighting Illini. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
D'Andre Swift shares first impression of Bears rookie Kyle Monangai
D'Andre Swift shares first impression of Bears rookie Kyle Monangai The Chicago Bears didn't make any major moves at running back this offseason, with the only addition coming with the selection of Kyle Monangai out of Rutgers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft. Adding Monangai to the running back room, which will feature new position coach Eric Bieniemy, brings plenty of eyes and attention to every running back on the roster, especially D'Andre Swift. In what many, including himself, felt was a disappointing 2024 season, Swift not only vows to bounce back, but is also ready to be a mentor for his rookie teammate. Swift had high praise for Monangai, a two-time All-Big Ten selection in 2023 and 2024, and what he's done so far this offseason. "Real good, really good. Really excited for him," Swift said. "Very talented, very talented. He's cool, and he's from Jersey. I'm from Philly, he's from Jersey, so close. But he's been really good so far, excited for him." While there could be an opportunity to crack into the rotation as a rookie, it's equally as important to see the veteran Swift speak highly of him early in the offseason program. With Swift, Roschon Johnson, and Monangai, head coach Ben Johnson will have plenty of options and opportunities to utilize all three backs, who all have a different style of play and running ability. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
