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2025 U.S. News College Rankings: Auburn University Tops Alabama Schools

As the academic landscape evolves, so do the rankings of Alabama’s universities. According to the latest U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges list, Auburn University has secured the top spot among state institutions, currently positioned at No. 105 nationwide. This marks a decline from last year’s No. 93 ranking, as no Alabama universities broke into the top 100 this year.

University Rankings Overview

The University of Alabama follows closely, landing at No. 171, a slight drop from its previous position. Interestingly, Samford University shares this rank after making notable strides upwards, improving 14 spots compared to last year.

Notable Improvements

  • The University of Alabama at Birmingham has climbed six spots to rank 136th.
  • The University of South Alabama has seen an 11-spot improvement, now at 371st.
  • In contrast, the University of Alabama at Huntsville has dropped to 244th from 227th.

Alabama’s Liberal Arts Institutions

In the realm of liberal arts colleges, Oakwood University stands out as the only representative from Alabama in this year’s rankings, coming in at No. 182. This private institution, rooted in the Seventh-day Adventist tradition, follows the recent closure of Birmingham-Southern College.

Regional University Rankings

Among regional universities in the South, Tuskegee University has earned a commendable ninth place. In addition, several other Alabama institutions have made their mark:

  • 23rd: University of Montevallo
  • 26th: University of North Alabama
  • 45th: Troy University
  • 55th: Jacksonville State University
  • 65th: Auburn University at Montgomery
  • 73rd: University of Mobile
  • 82nd: University of West Alabama
  • 97th: Alabama A&M University
  • 120th: Faulkner University

Public University Rankings

The University of Montevallo remains a strong contender among public universities, securing the 10th position despite a drop of three places. Other notable public universities include:

  • 12th: University of North Alabama
  • 19th: Troy University
  • 25th: Jacksonville State University
  • 32nd: Auburn University at Montgomery
  • 41st: University of West Alabama
  • 49th: Alabama A&M University

Regional College Rankings

This year, five colleges made it onto the best in the South list:

  • 8th: Huntingdon College
  • 17th: Spring Hill College
  • 72nd: Talladega College
  • 83rd: Miles College
  • 87th: Stillman College

Changes in Methodology

U.S. News & World Report has implemented significant changes in its ranking methodology over the past year, notably emphasizing social mobility for graduates. This year, they removed the six-year graduation rates of first-generation students as a ranking criterion while placing greater emphasis on the graduation rates of Pell Grant recipients. The rankings consider 18 different indicators, including graduation rates, first-year retention rates, and student-to-faculty ratios.

While these rankings provide a snapshot of institutional performance, they do not encompass the full spectrum of college experiences and opinions. Each student’s journey is unique, and the choice of a college often extends beyond numerical rankings.

  • December 6, 2024

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