Auburn University is once again the highest-ranked university in Alabama, this time ranked 105th in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges list.
This year, no in-state schools were ranked in the company’s top 100. Last year, Auburn was No. 93.
The University of Alabama dropped one spot from last year to 171st. The University of Alabama is tied with Samford University, which rose 14 spots this year.
Two schools moved up in the 2024 rankings: The University of Alabama at Birmingham moved up six places from last year to No. 136, and the University of South Alabama moved up 11 places from last year to No. 371.
The University of Alabama-Huntsville dropped to 244th from 227th last year.
Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in Alabama
Due to the closure of Birmingham-Southern University, Oakwood University is the only Alabama liberal arts college on this year’s list, coming in at No. 182. Oakwood is a private, historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution.
Alabama tops regional university rankings
Tuskegee University is ranked No. 9 among the best universities in the South. Nine other universities also made the list this year, many of which are ranked in the top 100.
23rd place: University of Montevallo
26th: University of North Alabama
45th: Troy University
55th: Jacksonville State University
65th: Auburn University, Montgomery
#73: University of Mobile
82nd place: University of West Alabama
97th: Alabama A&M University
120th place: Faulkner University
Top Local Public Universities in Alabama
The University of Montevallo dropped three spots among Southern public universities but still ranked 10th. Six universities made this year’s top 50 list:
12. University of North Alabama
19th place: Troy University
25th place: Jacksonville State University
32nd place: Auburn University, Montgomery
41. University of West Alabama
49th: Alabama A&M University
Regional University Rankings
This year, five colleges make the South’s Best list: Huntingdon College at No. 8; Spring Hill College at No. 17;
Other schools ranked in the top 100 include Talladega College at No. 72, Miles College at No. 83 and Stillman College at No. 87.
Last year’s list included major changes to its methodology, including an emphasis on the social mobility of graduates.
The most impactful methodology change this year was the removal of six-year bachelor’s degree graduation rates for first-generation students as a ranking factor.
Instead, the publication elevated the importance of graduation for Pell Grant students.
Of course, this list doesn’t represent everyone’s opinion of their favorite colleges, but U.S. News and World Report’s list takes into account a lot of factors: Graduation rates, first-year retention rates, and student-to-faculty ratios are some of the 18 metrics included in the methodology.