​If student-athletes are truly students first, then higher education should matter more than it often does, which is why we pay attention to what U.S. News & World Report has to say about the best schools. Each year, the publication releases an academic ranking of United States universities, detailing factors such as tuition, enrollment, and acceptance rates, and our focus tends to center on the Big Ten, since Ohio State Buckeyes compete in that conference. Compared with other leagues, the Big Ten’s results are striking: 15 of its 18 member schools rank among the top 100 according to U.S. News & World Report’s criteria, a feat not matched by conferences like the SEC. (Join the cheer.)
Ohio State has steadily improved its academic standing, remaining solidly in the top 50 with a rank that is largely unchanged from the previous year. The Buckeyes also lead the nation in APR scores for football, a clear counter to the old joke that the program is merely an NFL factory. Here is how all the Big Ten teams stack up both within their conference and in the overall U.S. News & World Report rankings for the 2026-27 academic year.
For context, Lincoln, Nebraska, is home to the University of Nebraska. In 2025, the Cornhuskers were ranked 18th in the Big Ten with an undergraduate enrollment of 19,701. Their U.S. News & World Report ranking in 2025 stood at No. 152, dipping slightly to No. 158 in 2026. The in-state cost of attending is $10,434.
The University of Oregon in Eugene shows a 2025 Big Ten rank of 17, with an undergraduate enrollment of 20,622. Its U.S. News & World Report ranking was No. 109 in 2025 and No. 110 in 2026, with an in-state cost of $15,904.
In Iowa City, the University of Iowa recorded a 2025 Big Ten rank of 16 and an undergraduate enrollment of 22,738. Its U.S. News & World Report rankings were No. 98 in 2025 and No. 102 in 2026, with an in-state cost of $11,622.
Bloomington’s Indiana University, listed in 2025 as Big Ten rank No. 15, enrolled 38,093 undergraduates. Its U.S. News & World Report ranking held at No. 73 for both 2025 and 2026, with an in-state cost of $12,144.
Michigan State University, located in East Lansing, appeared in 2025 as Big Ten rank No. 13 (tied) with 41,234 undergraduates. Its 2025 U.S. News & World Report ranking was No. 63, moving to No. 64 in 2026, and the in-state cost stands at $19,742.
These snapshots of Big Ten rankings underscore a broader trend: the conference includes a broad mix of institutions that collectively illustrate the importance of strong academic programs alongside athletic achievements. The ongoing efforts of schools in the Big Ten to boost their academic reputations reflect a commitment to students as learners first, even as campuses continue to compete on the fields and courts of college sports.