Academic Standing in the Big 12 Conference
The academic year for most universities in the Big 12 wrapped up earlier this month, and with the recent addition of four new schools—Arizona State, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah—the conference has gained a clearer picture of its academic stature.
While these schools may not be traditionally viewed as academic powerhouses, they demonstrated competitive prowess on the field. Notably, Arizona State, projected to finish last in the Big 12, surprised everyone by clinching the conference title and making an impressive run in the College Football Playoff. Beyond football, each of the new programs also excelled in various sports, claiming multiple conference titles, including Arizona women’s golf, Utah women’s gymnastics, and Arizona State’s dominance in men’s and women’s swimming and diving, as well as volleyball.
Despite the excitement on the athletic front, the Big 12’s academic reputation has room for growth. The conference maintains a respectable status, evidenced by several institutions with strong Academic Progress Rates. However, the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report for 2025 paint a less flattering picture; no Big 12 institution ranks higher than No. 91, a marked difference from the ACC and Big Ten.
Rankings of Big 12 Schools
16. West Virginia University
- City: Morgantown, West Virginia
- National Ranking: No. 220 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
West Virginia, historically not known for its academic excellence, continues to hold the lowest ranking within the Big 12 as of 2025.
15. Texas Tech University
- City: Lubbock, Texas
- National Ranking: No. 214 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
Texas Tech ranks seventh in the Academic Progress Rate, yet falls into the over No. 200 category in the U.S. News rankings, joining West Virginia among the conference’s lower tiers.
14. Oklahoma State University
- City: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- National Ranking: No. 196 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
Oklahoma State ties with several institutions such as Georgia State and Missouri University of Science and Technology, highlighting its place within the lower academic echelons of the Big 12.
13. Kansas State University
- City: Manhattan, Kansas
- National Ranking: No. 165 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
While Kansas State shows a marginally better ranking compared to its immediate predecessors, it still faces challenges in ascending to a higher academic tier within the conference.
12 (tie). University of Kansas
- City: Lawrence, Kansas
- National Ranking: No. 152 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
Tied with another institution, the University of Kansas ranks significantly higher than the bottom schools but still finds itself hunting for elevation in academic reputation.
12 (tie). University of Cincinnati
- City: Cincinnati, Ohio
- National Ranking: No. 152 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
Despite leading in Academic Progress Rate performance, Cincinnati’s overall academic standing reflects a lack of parity with its conference peers.
10. University of Houston
- City: Houston, Texas
- National Ranking: No. 144 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
Houston is the first Big 12 school to enter the top 150, acting as a beacon of academic ambition among its conference rivals.
9. University of Utah
- City: Salt Lake City, Utah
- National Ranking: No. 136 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
Joining the Big 12 as one of the new members, Utah finds itself as the lowest-ranked former Pac-12 school, showcasing the impact of conference shifts on academic perceptions.
8 (tie). Central Florida University
- City: Orlando, Florida
- National Ranking: No. 121 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
Central Florida shares the distinction of being one of the more selective institutions within the Big 12, making strides academically.
8 (tie). Arizona State University
- City: Tempe, Arizona
- National Ranking: No. 121 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
Tied equally with UCF and Iowa State, Arizona State is among the highest in student enrollment within the Big 12, emphasizing its infrastructural capacity.
8 (tie). Iowa State University
- City: Ames, Iowa
- National Ranking: No. 121 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
Iowa State holds its own among the conference representation, yet similar to its peers, is outside the top 100 in academic rankings.
5 (tie). University of Arizona
- City: Tucson, Arizona
- National Ranking: No. 109 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
Having joined the Big 12 as part of the latest expansion, Arizona holds a more favorable academic reputation compared to other newcomers.
5 (tie). Brigham Young University
- City: Provo, Utah
- National Ranking: No. 109 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
Despite having challenges such as a mandatory mission for most students that affects graduation rates, BYU continues to uphold a solid academic standing.
3. Texas Christian University
- City: Fort Worth, Texas
- National Ranking: No. 105 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
TCU, the smallest school in the Big 12 in terms of undergraduate enrollment, manages to maintain a strong academic presence and competitive standards.
2. University of Colorado Boulder
- City: Boulder, Colorado
- National Ranking: No. 98 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
As one of the top academic institutions coming from the latest expansion, CU Boulder impressively secures a ranking within the top 100.
1. Baylor University
- City: Waco, Texas
- National Ranking: No. 91 (tie)
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
Baylor stands out as the top academic institution within the Big 12, merging its religious foundation with a commitment to academic excellence.
Through these standings, it is clear that while the Big 12 may not match the academic prestige of its counterparts, the conference is full of institutions striving for improvement and excellence in both athletics and academia.
