Auburn University continues national recognition in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report

Auburn University has again been recognized for its academic excellence and exceptional student experience in the 2026 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, released today.

The university reaffirmed its position among the nation’s top 50 public institutions at No. 49 and rose to No. 102 nationally, reflecting its continued focus on delivering high-quality academic and enriching student experiences. The new rankings underscore Auburn’s prominence across several institutional categories, placing it among the top universities in the country while maintaining its position as Alabama’s highest-ranked university.

“Auburn’s mission is to provide students with an exceptional experience that prepares them for successful careers, while advancing real-world solutions that improve quality of life and drive innovation across local, regional, national and global industries,” President Christopher B. Roberts said. “Our improvement across several U.S. News metrics reflects our long-term vision and commitment to provide innovative academic programs with measurable outcomes, while empowering students to become engaged citizens.”

Published each fall, these rankings assess more than 1,700 colleges and universities nationwide and evaluate key metrics such as academic quality, social mobility, institutional value and student outcomes. The latest rankings underscore Auburn’s priorities outlined in its 2035 Strategic Plan: Grounded & Groundbreaking — with a focus on high-impact learning, career readiness and innovative programs. Auburn’s rankings also highlight additional institutional milestones, including a 95% first-year retention rate and an 82% six-year graduation rate, metrics central to the U.S. News rankings methodology.

The latest rankings provide insights across key institutional categories and spotlight Auburn’s continued momentum across several programs and disciplines. Notable rankings include:

• First-Year Experiences - Ranked No. 7 among public universities / No. 39 among national universities Highlights Auburn’s robust student support programs — including its freshmen orientation, learning communities and academic advising — that contribute to the university’s consistent student retention.

• Supply Chain Management - Ranked No. 15 among public universities / No. 17 among national universities Maintains Auburn’s status as a top program in the nation, reflecting its cutting-edge curriculum in logistics, operations, and sourcing and support from more than 300 employer partners offering internships and co-ops.

• Accounting - Ranked No. 18 among public universities / No. 40 among national universities (new ranking) Demonstrates Auburn’s emphasis on foundational and advanced accounting skills and faculty excellence in both teaching and research.

• Undergraduate Teaching Programs - Ranked No. 21 among public universities / No. 58 among national universities (up 12 spots from last year) Reaffirms Auburn’s commitment to academic excellence through innovative curriculum design, faculty support and fostering a dynamic learning environment.

• Most Innovative Schools - Ranked No. 24 among public universities / No. 48 among national universities (up 15 spots from last year) Reflects Auburn’s leadership in developing innovative programs, faculty development, student engagement, campus life, technology and facilities.

• Nursing - Ranked No. 25 among public universities / No. 40 among national universities
  Recognizes Auburn’s undergraduate nursing programs, which prepare future healthcare professionals. Auburn nursing graduates consistently achieve a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN — well above the national average.

• Undergraduate Business Programs - Ranked No. 31 among public universities / No. 51 among national universities (up 14 spots from last year) Showcases the Harbert College’s national leadership in advancing business education through its innovative curriculum, hands-on learning and strong industry connections that prepare students to lead across key business sectors.

• Undergraduate Engineering Programs - Ranked No. 33 among public universities / No. 57 among national universities Highlights the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s rigorous curriculum, innovative research and strong industry partnerships that prepare students to tackle real-world challenges and lead in today’s evolving technological landscape.

• Undergraduate Computer Science Programs - Ranked No. 46 among public universities / No. 78 among national universities Underscores Auburn’s growing software engineering, cybersecurity and data science programs, supported by award-winning faculty, top-ranked online offerings and industry partnerships.
  

• Best Colleges for Veterans - Ranked No. 48 among public universities / No. 67 among national universities (up one spot from last year) Recognizes Auburn’s continued emphasis on academic and programmatic support for veterans and military-affiliated students.

“It is always gratifying to receive national recognition for Auburn’s rigorous academics and vibrant co-curricular offerings,” Roberts added. “Together with our rich campus environment, these elements make an Auburn degree both powerful and meaningful — while also fueling Alabama’s talent pipeline across key industries and sectors.”

The full rankings list can be found on the U.S. News site.