Updated July 9, 2026, 4:18 p.m. CT

This story was updated because an earlier version included inaccuracies.

Every year, U.S. News & World Report publishes an academic ranking of all United States universities, including yearly tuition, enrollment and acceptance rates. Five SEC programs rank among the top 100 academically heading into the 2026-2027 school year.

The University of Oklahoma is the only school in the SEC with an undergraduate in-state tuition rate less than $10,000 per year. The Sooners have been able to enter the SEC without dramatically raising their tuition rates, and Oklahoma also enjoyed the biggest jump in academic ranking in the conference.

The only schools with lower enrollment than OU are Vanderbilt (a private school), Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Eight of the 16 SEC schools have undergraduate enrollments greater than 30,000, led by Texas A&M with more than 60,000. The University of Texas has the next-highest enrollment at more than 40,000 undergraduate students.

So, as the University of Oklahoma prepares for its third academic year in the SEC, here’s how it stacks up academically against the rest of the conference, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!16. Mississippi State UniversityOct 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

2025 SEC Rank: 16

Undergraduate enrollment: 18,567

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 216 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 214

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 208

In-state cost: $10,604

Acceptance rate: 78%

15. University of ArkansasOct 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

2025 SEC Rank: 15

Undergraduate enrollment: 28,859

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 178

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: 189

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: 183

In-state cost: $10,496

Acceptance rate: 74%

12 (Tied). Louisiana State UniversitySep 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

2025 SEC Rank: 14

Undergraduate enrollment: 34,242

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 185

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 179 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 169 (tied)

In-state cost: $12,551

Acceptance rate: 73%

Get more LSU Tigers news, analysis and opinions on LSU Tigers Wire.

12 (tied). University of MississippiNov 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

2025 SEC Rank: 12

Undergraduate enrollment: 21,585

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 163

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 171 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 169 (tied)

In-state cost: $10,150

Acceptance rate: 97%

12 (tied). University of AlabamaSep 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

2025 SEC Rank: 12

Undergraduate enrollment: 34,389

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 170

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 171

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 169

In-state cost: $12,484

Acceptance rate: 77%

Get more Alabama news, analysis and opinions on Roll Tide Wire.

11. University of KentuckyOct 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

2025 SEC Rank: 11

Undergraduate enrollment: 25,534

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 159

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 152

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 143

In-state cost: $13,907

Acceptance rate: 93%

Get more Kentucky Wildcats news, analysis and opinions on UK Wildcats Wire.

10. University of South CarolinaNov 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

2025 SEC Rank: 10

Undergraduate enrollment: 30,187

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 124 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 121

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 127

In-state cost: $12,688

Acceptance rate: 60%

9. University of OklahomaOklahoma fans cheer during a Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Oklahoma won 28-13. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

City: Norman, Oklahoma

2025 SEC Rank: 10

Undergraduate enrollment: 23,351

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 124 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 132

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 110 (tied)

In-state cost: $9,887

Acceptance rate: 77%

Get more Oklahoma Sooners news, analysis and opinions on Sooners Wire

6 (tied). University of TennesseeTennessee 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

2025 SEC Rank: 7

Undergraduate enrollment: 30,564

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 105

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 109 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 102 (tied)

In-state cost: $13,812

Acceptance rate: 42%

Get more Tennessee Volunteers news, analysis and opinions on Vols Wire

6 (tied). University of MissouriSep 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

2025 SEC Rank: 7

Undergraduate enrollment: 24,449

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 124 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 109 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 102 (tied)

In-state cost: $15,548

Acceptance rate: 78%

6 (tied). Auburn UniversityNov 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

2025 SEC Rank: 6

Undergraduate enrollment: 27,907

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 93

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: 105

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: 102

In-state cost: $13,318

Acceptance rate: 46%

Get more Auburn Tigers news, analysis and opinions on Auburn Wire.

5. Texas A&M UniversityNov 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

2025 SEC Rank: 5

Undergraduate enrollment: 60,710

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 47

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: 51

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: 51 (tied)

In-state cost: $12,928

Acceptance rate: 57%

Get more Texas A&M Aggies news, analysis and opinions on Aggies Wire

4. University of GeorgiaNov 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

2025 SEC Rank: 4

Undergraduate enrollment: 32,399

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 47

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 46

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 46 (tied)

In-state cost: $11,492

Acceptance rate: 38%

Get more Georgia Bulldogs news, analysis and opinions on UGA Wire.

2 (tied). University of TexasA 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

2025 SEC Rank: 2

Undergraduate enrollment: 43,156

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 32

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 30 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 30 (tied)

In-state cost: $11,678

Acceptance rate: 27%

Get more Texas Longhorns news, analysis and opinions on Longhorns Wire.

2 (tied). University of FloridaNov 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: Gainesville, Florida

2025 SEC Rank: 2

Undergraduate enrollment: 36,573

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 28

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 30 (tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 30 (tied)

In-state cost: $6,381

Acceptance rate: 24%

Get more Florida Gators news, analysis and opinions on Gators Wire.

1. Vanderbilt UniversityNov 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

2025 SEC Rank: 1

Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2024: 7,221

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2024: No. 18

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2025: No. 18 (Tied)

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 17

Tuition: $71,226

Acceptance rate: 6%

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