Academic Rankings of Big Ten Schools by U.S. News for 2025

2025-05-18

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The Big Ten Conference: A Year of Transformation, Triumph, and Academic Excellence

After a full calendar year of athletics, the 18-member Big Ten Conference now has a sense of permanence. As fresh arrivals from the Pac-12—Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA—have stepped onto the football field and basketball court, the memory of the former Pac-12 Conference has started to fade.

Dominance in Major Sports

Oregon football is the reigning Big Ten champion, and UCLA men’s basketball is emerging as one of the conference’s top contenders. The achievements haven’t been limited to these powerhouse programs; other new schools have also enjoyed their share of success across various sports. Oregon women’s cross country and USC/UCLA women’s soccer captured conference titles, along with Oregon’s men’s and women’s indoor track and field, and the women’s basketball teams from USC and UCLA. The list extends to women’s gymnastics and golf teams from both Oregon and UCLA, showcasing a depth of talent across multiple disciplines.

Academic Excellence

Off the field, the Big Ten Conference stands unmatched academically. The Academic Progress Rate (APR) is a significant indicator of the athletic programs’ commitment to student welfare and academic achievement. The conference is also shining in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 academic rankings, demonstrating that its member institutions are not only competitive in sports but also in education.

18th Place: University of Nebraska — Lincoln

City: Lincoln, Nebraska
National Ranking: No. 152 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 159 overall
Acceptance Rate: 77%

Nebraska climbed seven spots in national rankings, though there remains a sizable gap to bridge for full alignment with its Big Ten counterparts.

17th Place: University of Oregon

City: Eugene, Oregon
National Ranking: No. 109 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 98 overall
Acceptance Rate: 85%

Despite its championship-winning football program, Oregon experienced a slippage in the rankings as it grapples to improve its Academic Progress Rate.

16th Place: University of Iowa

City: Iowa City, Iowa
National Ranking: No. 98 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 93 overall
Acceptance Rate: 85%

Iowa also saw a slight decrease in its ranking but remains competitive within the conference.

15th Place: Indiana University — Bloomington

City: Bloomington, Indiana
National Ranking: No. 73 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 73 overall
Acceptance Rate: 80%

Indiana has maintained its position in the academic rankings but faces challenges in advancing ahead of its peers.

13th Place: Pennsylvania State University — University Park

City: University Park, Pennsylvania
National Ranking: No. 63 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 60 overall
Acceptance Rate: 54%

Penn State’s small drop in the rankings does not diminish its commitment to academic and athletic excellence.

13th Place: Michigan State University

City: East Lansing, Michigan
National Ranking: No. 63 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 60 overall
Acceptance Rate: 84%

With a strong basketball program, Michigan State aims to elevate its academic standing alongside its athletic achievements.

12th Place: University of Minnesota — Twin Cities

City: Minneapolis, Minnesota
National Ranking: No. 54 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 53 overall
Acceptance Rate: 77%

Minnesota has shown consistency and is close to breaking into the top tier of the conference.

10th Place: University of Washington

City: Seattle, Washington
National Ranking: No. 46 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 40 overall
Acceptance Rate: 43%

The Washington Huskies experienced a significant drop but remain within the nation’s top 50, emphasizing their continuing relevance.

10th Place: Purdue University — Main Campus

City: West Lafayette, Indiana
National Ranking: No. 46 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 43 overall
Acceptance Rate: 50%

Purdue finds itself tightly clustered with other prominent institutions, creating an exciting academic landscape.

9th Place: University of Maryland, College Park

City: College Park, Maryland
National Ranking: No. 44 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 46 overall
Acceptance Rate: 45%

Maryland is on the rise, with new leadership and a focus on boosting its academic prowess alongside athletic performance.

7th Place: Rutgers University — New Brunswick

City: Piscataway, New Jersey
National Ranking: No. 41 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 40 overall
Acceptance Rate: 65%

Rutgers has held strong within the national rankings and remains a formidable player in the Big Ten landscape.

7th Place: The Ohio State University

City: Columbus, Ohio
National Ranking: No. 41 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 43 overall
Acceptance Rate: 51%

Ohio State is celebrating a perfect APR score and its athletic accolades, reflecting a robust commitment to both academic and athletic excellence.

6th Place: University of Wisconsin — Madison

City: Madison, Wisconsin
National Ranking: No. 39 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 35 overall
Acceptance Rate: 43%

Wisconsin has seen a decline in this year’s rankings, signaling potential areas for enhancement.

5th Place: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

City: Champaign, Illinois
National Ranking: No. 33 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 35 overall
Acceptance Rate: 44%

Illinois has made strides in academic ranking, contributing positively to the Big Ten’s reputation.

4th Place: University of Southern California

City: Los Angeles, California
National Ranking: No. 27 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 28 overall
Acceptance Rate: 10%

Holding firm within the top tier of academic rankings, USC demonstrates potential in its athletic pursuits as well.

3rd Place: University of Michigan — Ann Arbor

City: Ann Arbor, Michigan
National Ranking: No. 21 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 21 overall
Acceptance Rate: 18%

Michigan remains a key player, performing consistently well in both academics and athletics.

2nd Place: University of California — Los Angeles

City: Los Angeles, California
National Ranking: No. 15 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 15 overall
Acceptance Rate: 9%

UCLA continues to set the bar for academic excellence while bolstering its reputation in athletics.

1st Place: Northwestern University

City: Evanston, Illinois
National Ranking: No. 6 (tied)
2024 Rank: No. 9 overall
Acceptance Rate: 7%

Northwestern stands at the pinnacle of the Big Ten, showcasing academic prowess that rivals some of the nation’s most esteemed institutions.

The Big Ten Conference is not merely a collection of athletic powerhouses; it embodies a commitment to academic excellence that rivals its sporting achievements, promising a bright future for its diverse cohort of institutions. Follow along as each athletic season unfolds, bringing new challenges and triumphs in both arenas.