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SEC schools ranked academically by U.S. News for 2025
The SEC has become the preeminent conference in collegiate athletics. It has competed for or won a number of national titles this academic year. Much of the first academic season in the conference was a challenge for Oklahoma. However, the Sooners came away with the regular season softball title and earned a share of the tournament title with Texas A&M.
Football got off to a rough start with a 6-7 mark and a 2-6 record in SEC play. Men's Basketball was undefeated heading into conference play but struggled to find their footing. However, Women's basketball, baseball, softball, and gymnastics all fared well and made the postseason in their respective sports.
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Every year, U.S. News & World Report publishes an academic ranking of all United States universities, including yearly tuition, enrollment, and acceptance rates.
So, as the University of Oklahoma gets ready for its second year in the SEC, here's how it stacks up academically with the rest of the SEC, according to U.S. News and World Report.
16. Mississippi State University
Oct 19, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs fans cheer during the fourth quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
City: Starkville, Mississippi
2024 SEC Rank: 16
Undergraduate enrollment: 18,230
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 216 (tied)
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 214
In-state cost: $10,202
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Acceptance rate: 70%
15. University of Arkansas
Oct 5, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks fans celebrate in front of the downed goal posts after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
City: Fayetteville, Arkansas
2024 SEC Rank: 14
Undergraduate enrollement: 27,742
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 178
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: 189
In-state cost: $10,104
Acceptance rate: 72%
14. Louisiana State University
Sep 7, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers mascot Mike the Tiger performs for fans during a time out against the Nicholls State Colonels during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
City: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2024 SEC Rank: 15
Undergraduate enrollment: 32,574
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 185
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 179 (tied)
In-state cost: $11,954
Acceptance rate: 74%
Get more LSU Tigers news, analysis and opinions on LSUTigersWire.
12 (tied). University of Mississippi
Nov 9, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels fans attempt to tear down the goal post after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
City: Oxford, Mississippi
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2024 SEC Rank: 12
Undergraduate enrollment: 19, 094
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 163
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 171 (tied)
In-state cost: $9,772
Acceptance rate: 98%
12 (tied). University of Alabama
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans sing during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images
City: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
2024 SEC Rank: 13
Undergraduate enrollment: 33,435
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 170
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 171
In-state cost: $12,180
Acceptance rate: 76%
Get more Alabama news, analysis and opinions on RollTideWire.
11. University of Kentucky
Oct 12, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Fans cheer on the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
City: Lexington, Kentucky
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2024 SEC Rank: 11
Undergraduate enrollment: 23,930
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 159
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 152
In-state cost: $13,502
Acceptance rate: 92%
Get more Kentucky Wildcats news, analysis and opinions on UKWildcatsWire.
10. University of Oklahoma
City: Norman, Oklahoma
2024 SEC Rank: 8
Undergraduate enrollment: 22,046
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 124 (tied)
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 132
In-state cost: $9,595
Acceptance rate: 76%
Get more Oklahoma Sooners news, analysis, and opinions on SoonersWire
9. University of South Carolina
Nov 30, 2019; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks fans cheer their team against the Clemson Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
City: Columbia, South Carolina
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2024 SEC Rank: 10
Undergraduate enrollment: 28,470
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 124 (tied)
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 121
In-state cost: $12,688
Acceptance rate: 61%
8 (tied). University of Tennessee
Tennessee fans mingle during the Vol Walk before an NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Mississippi State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2024.
City: Knoxville, Tennessee
2024 SEC Rank: 7
Undergraduate enrollment: 28,883
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 105
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 109 (tied)
In-state cost: $13,812
Acceptance rate: 46%
Get more Tennessee Volunteers news, analysis and opinions on VolsWire
7 (tied). University of Missouri
Sep 21, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers fans react after a punt during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
City: Columbia, Missouri
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2024 SEC Rank: 9
Undergraduate enrollment: 23,629
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 124 (tied)
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 109 (tied)
In-state cost: $14,830
Acceptance rate: 77%
6. Auburn University
Nov 23, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Fans storm the field after the Auburn Tigers beat the Texas A&M Aggies in the fourth overtime at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
City: Auburn, Alabama
2024 SEC Rank: 6
Undergraduate enrollment: 26,874
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 93
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: 105
In-state cost: $12,890
Acceptance rate: 50%
Get more Auburn Tigers news, analysis and opinions on AuburnWire.
5. Texas A&M University
Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Fans cheer during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Texas Longhorns at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
City: College Station, Texas
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2024 SEC Rank: 4
Undergraduate enrollment: 59,933
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 47
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: 51
In-state cost: $12,413
Acceptance rate: 63%
Get more Texas A&M Aggies news, analysis and opinions on AggiesWire
4. University of Georgia
Nov 29, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) walks through the fans and the band during the dawg walk prior to the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
City: Athens, Georgia
2024 SEC Rank: 5
Undergraduate enrollment: 31,554
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 47
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 46
In-state cost: $11,440
Acceptance rate: 37%
Get more Georgia Bulldogs news, analysis and opinions on UGAWire.
2 (tied). University of Texas
A Texas Longhorns fan reacts to a turnover on 4th and goal during the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
City: Austin, Texas
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2024 SEC Rank: 3
Undergraduate enrollment: 42,444
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 32
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 30 (tied)
In-state cost: $11,678
Acceptance rate: 29%
Get more Texas Longhorns news, analysis and opinions on Longhorns Wire.
2 (tied). University of Florida
Nov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; A general view of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium as fans cheer between the Florida Gators and LSU Tigers . Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
City: Gainsville, Florida
2024 SEC Rank: 2
Undergraduate enrollment: 34,924
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 28
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 30 (tied)
In-state cost: $6,381
Acceptance rate: 24%
Get more Florida Gators news, analysis and opinions on GatorsWire.
1. Vanderbilt University
Nov 2, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Blaze Berlowitz (19) celebrates with fans after the Commodores beat the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
City: Nashville, Tennessee
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2024 SEC Rank: 1
Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2024: 7,152
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2024: No. 18
U.S. News and World Report ranking 2025: No. 18 (Tied)
Tuition: $67,498
Acceptance rate: 6%
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Ranking all 16 SEC schools academically by U.S. News & World Report
