Spring practices begin for Texas Longhorns football team
As spring football gets underway at Texas, the American-Statesman sits down to discuss intriguing newcomers, position battles and early expectations.
Those who attended the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference schools often have pride in what their college football team can do in a season. But what about academically?
While some may only associate the SEC with athletic success, six of the 16 SEC schools are ranked in the top 100 of U.S. News’ latest 2024 College Rankings. Texas A&M remains ranked one of the best public schools in the country from a value standpoint, especially for those who plan to major in the sciences.
New this year, the 2024 college football season will include two newcomers, the University of Texas in Austin and the University of Oklahoma.
According to U.S. News and World Report, here’s where every SEC school nationally ranks in academics.
16. Mississippi State University
- City: Starkville, Mississippi
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 21,988
- U.S. News ranking: No. 216 (tied)
- In-state cost: $9,815
- Acceptance rate: 70%
15. Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge (LSU)
- City: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 32,666
- U.S. News ranking: No. 185
- In-state cost: $11,954
- Acceptance rate: 76%
14. University of Arkansas
- City: Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Undergraduate enrollement in fall 2023: 32,140
- U.S. News ranking: No. 178
- In-state cost: $9,748
- Acceptance rate: 79%
13. The University of Alabama
- City: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 39,623
- U.S. News ranking: No. 170
- In-state cost: $11,900
- Acceptance rate: 80%
12. University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
- City: Oxford, Mississippi
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 24,710
- U.S. News ranking: No. 163
- In-state cost: $9,412
- Acceptance rate: 97%
11. University of Kentucky
- City: Lexington, Kentucky
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 34,000
- U.S. News ranking: No. 159
- In-state cost: $13,212
- Acceptance rate: 95%
10. University of South Carolina
- City: Columbia, South Carolina
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 36,300
- U.S. News ranking: No. 124 (tied)
- In-state cost: $12,688
- Acceptance rate: 64%
9. University of Oklahoma
- City: Norman, Oklahoma
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 28,264
- U.S. News ranking: No. 124 (tied)
- In-state cost: $9,312
- Acceptance rate: 73%
8. University of Missouri
- City: Columbus, Missouri
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 23,629
- U.S. News ranking: No. 124 (tied)
- In-state cost: $14,192
- Acceptance rate: 79%
7. University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- City: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 36,000
- U.S. News ranking: No. 216 (tied)
- In-state cost: $13,244
- Acceptance rate: 68%
6. Auburn University
- City: Auburn, Alabama
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 35,015
- U.S. News ranking: No. 93
- In-state cost: $12,536
- Acceptance rate: 44%
5. University of Georgia
- City: Athens, Georgia
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 30,166
- U.S. News ranking: No. 47 (tied)
- In-state cost: $11,180
- Acceptance rate: 43%
4. Texas A&M University
- City: College Station, Texas
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 69,598
- U.S. News ranking: No. 47 (tied)
- In-state cost: $12,413
- Acceptance rate: 63%
3. University of Texas at Austin
- City: Austin, Texas
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 53,082
- U.S. News ranking: No. 32
- In-state cost: $11,698
- Acceptance rate: 31%
2. University of Florida
- City: Gainsville, Florida
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2022: 34,552
- U.S. News ranking: No. 28
- In-state cost: $6,381
- Acceptance rate: 23%
1. Vanderbilt University
- City: Nashville, Tennessee
- Undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023: 7,152
- U.S. News ranking: No. 18
- Tuition: $63,946
- Acceptance rate: 7%