The Southeastern Conference is best known for its athletic dominance, yet its academic footprint continues to grow. In the U.S. News 2027 Best Colleges rankings, 

Five of the SEC’s 16 universities place inside the top 100 National Universities, with three more tied at No. 102. U.S. News ranks National Universities as schools that emphasize research and offer a wide range of undergraduate majors, along with master’s and doctoral programs. Here is how SEC schools rank in that category for 2027.

The National Universities are research-focused institutions offering a wide range of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. Founded in 1933, the SEC originally reflected its Southern roots, but conference realignment reshaped its footprint over time.

The Best Colleges Rankings of SEC Schools

16. Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University ranks No. 208 (tie). Located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, the university enrolls 18,567 undergraduates and posts a four-year graduation rate of 46 percent. In-state tuition is $10,604, while out-of-state tuition is $28,736. Known today as the Bulldogs, the school has fielded a football team since the late 1800s and won its first national baseball title in 2021. Notable alumni include Will Clark, Rafael Palmeiro, John Grisham, and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.

15. The University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas ranks No. 183 (tie). Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, it enrolls 28,859 undergraduates and reports a 56 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $10,496, and out-of-state tuition is $31,550. The Razorbacks’ name refers to a wild hog, and the school claims over 50 national championships. Alumni include Ben Rector, Jerry Jones, Veronica Campbell Brown, and John Daly.

14. Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University ranks No. 169 (tie). Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, LSU enrolls 34,242 undergraduates and has a 50 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $12,551, and out-of-state tuition is $29,229. LSU athletics has won 53 national championships, including football in 2019 and women’s basketball and baseball in 2023. Alumni include Shaquille O’Neal, Paul Skenes, James Carville, and Olivia Dunne.

13. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama also ranks No. 169 (tie). Based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it enrolls 34,389 undergraduates and has a 57 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $12,484, and out-of-state tuition is $35,342. Alabama football has won 18 national championships, six since 2009. Alumni include Harper Lee, Joe Scarborough, Jim Nabors, and Paul “Bear” Bryant.

12. University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi ranks No. 169 (tie). Located in Oxford,f Mississippi, it enrolls 21,585 undergraduates and reports a 57 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $10,150, and out-of-state tuition is $30,310.The school’s nickname, the Rebels, has drawn controversy due to its Confederate associations. Alumni include William Faulkner, Eli Manning, and Kate Jackson.

11. University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky ranks No. 143 (tie). Based in Lexington, Kentucky, it enrolls 25,534 undergraduates and reports a 55 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $13,907, and out-of-state tuition is $35,164. The Wildcats are best known for men’s basketball, which has won eight NCAA titles. Alumni include Mitch McConnell, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Ashley Judd, and Anthony Davis.

10. University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina ranks No. 127 (tie). Located in Columbia, South Carolina, it enrolls 30,187 undergraduates and has a 70 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $12,688, and out-of-state tuition is $37,376. The Fighting Gamecocks claim nine national titles and maintain rivalries with Clemson and Georgia. Alumni include A’ja Wilson, Darius Rucker, Elle Fanning, and Deebo Samuel.

9. University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma ranks No. 110 (tie). Based in Norman, Oklahoma, it enrolls 23,351 undergraduates and posts a 58 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $9,887, and out-of-state tuition is $27,467. Oklahoma dominates in men’s gymnastics and softball, with eight softball titles, including four straight from 2021 to 2024. Alumni include Olivia Munn, Adrian Peterson, and Blake Griffin.

8.  Auburn University

Auburn University ranks No. 102 (tie). Located in Auburn, Alabama, it enrolls 27,907 undergraduates and has a 60 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $13,318, and out-of-state tuition is $36,022. Auburn claims 30 national championships and won a men’s golf title in 2024. Alumni include Tim Cook, Octavia Spencer, Charles Barkley, and Bo Jackson.

7. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri ranks No. 102 (tie). Based in Columbia, Missouri, it enrolls 24,449 undergraduates and posts a 56 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $15,548, and out-of-state tuition is $37,820. Mizzou joined the SEC in 2012 and fields teams under theTigers’s name. Alumni include Sam Walton, Brad Pitt, Jon Hamm, and Sheryl Crow.

6. University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, ranks No. 102 (tie). Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, it enrolls 30,564 undergraduates and has a 57 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $13,812, and out-of-state tuition is $32,956. The Volunteers are known for football and a dominant women’s basketball program. Alumni include Peyton Manning, Candace Parker, Cormac McCarthy, and Kurt Vonnegut.

5. Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University ranks No. 51 (tie). Based in College Station, Texas, it enrolls 60,710 undergraduates and posts a 61 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $12,928, and out-of-state tuition is $40,157. The Aggies joined the SEC in 2012 and are led by mascot Reveille X. Alumni include Johnny Manziel, Eva Longoria, Lyle Lovett, and Robert Earl Keen.

4. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia ranks No. 46 (tie). Located in Athens, Georgia, it enrolls 32,399 undergraduates and has a 76 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $11,492, and out-of-state tuition is $32,336. Georgia has won 52 national championships, including football titles in 2021 and 2022. Alumni include Ryan Seacrest, Herschel Walker, Deborah Roberts, and Ernie Johnson.

3. University of Florida

The University of Florida ranks No. 30 (tie). Based in Gainesville, Florida, it enrolls 36,573 undergraduates and posts an 83 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $6,381, and out-of-state tuition is $30,886. Florida has won 49 NCAA titles, including football and basketball championships in the 2000s and a basketball title in 2025. Alumni include Tim Tebow, Marco Rubio, Erin Andrews, and Bob Vila.

2. University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin ranks No. 30 (tie). Located in Austin, Texas, it enrolls 43,165 undergraduates and has a 74 percent four-year graduation rate. In-state tuition is $11,687, and out-of-state tuition is $44,908. Texas has won 68 national championships and is home to the LBJ Presidential Library and a Gutenberg Bible. Alumni include Matthew McConaughey, Glen Powell, Renée Zellweger, and Laura Bush.

1. Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University ranks No. 17 (tie). Based in Nashville, Tennessee, it enrolls 7,221 undergraduates and posts a 90 percent four-year graduation rate. Tuition and fees total $71,226. Founded in 1873 with a gift from Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Commodores have won six NCAA titles. Alumni include James Patterson, Al Gore, Dierks Bentley, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

The SEC continues to prove it is more than a powerhouse athletic conference. From Vanderbilt’s top-tier academic standing to strong public flagships such as the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, and the University of Texas at Austin, SEC schools offer a wide range of academic quality, research depth, and national reputations. For students seeking both competitive athletics and solid academics, the SEC delivers meaningful options across the country.