Auburn holds top state spot, Alabama moves up in 2026 U.S. News university rankings

U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026 Best Colleges rankings, and it’s a good-news, mixed-news kind of year for Alabama’s universities. Seven Alabama schools made the National Universities list, which ranks more than 430 institutions nationwide — and most of them are trending up.

Where Alabama’s national universities rank in 2026

Here’s the full state lineup, from highest to lowest rank:

1. Auburn University (Auburn, No. 102 in U.S.)
2. University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, No. 132 in U.S.)
3. The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, No. 169 in U.S.)
4. Samford University (Birmingham, No. 179 in U.S.)
5. University of Alabama in Huntsville (Huntsville, No. 242 in U.S.)
6. University of South Alabama (Mobile, No. 363 in U.S.)
7. Alabama State University (Montgomery, No. 395-434 in U.S.)

Auburn holds the state’s top spot, climbs 3 spots nationally

Auburn University remains Alabama’s highest-ranked national university, moving up three spots to No. 102 in the country. The Plains also tied for No. 49 among top public schools, and the university has seen a 25% jump in enrollment as it works to boost its national standing.

UAB keeps climbing into the nation’s upper 3rd

The University of Alabama at Birmingham rose four spots to No. 132, keeping it in the top third of ranked schools nationally for a second straight year. UAB tied for No. 68 among top public schools, and its nursing program tied for No. 13 in the country — one of the highest marks for any Alabama program.

Also in the Magic City, Samford University was the lone dip among the state’s national universities in this year’s rankings. Samford fell eight spots to No. 179 — which, all things considered, shows Samford is holding relatively steady in the university rankings.

Alabama ticks up as nursing program cracks the top 25

The University of Alabama climbed two spots to No. 169 overall and sits at No. 92 among public schools. The Capstone’s nursing program cracked the top 25 nationally at No. 22, and the school welcomed its largest student body yet, topping 43,000.

Huntsville + Mobile post gains of their own

The University of Alabama in Huntsville rose two spots to No. 242, and the University of South Alabama posted the state’s biggest jump, climbing eight spots to No. 363.

Alabama State rounds out the state’s national university list

Alabama State University, a historically Black university in the capital city, also landed on the National Universities list this year, placing in the No. 395-434 band.

For a student body of about 4,000, Alabama State making it on the list is a sign that they’re doing something right.

Schools with lower overall scores are grouped alphabetically into a final tier. While this year’s list places the school at the bottom, it still means the Alabama State University meets the strict criteria to be classified alongside top-tier national research universities.

Why the U.S. News rankings matter for Alabama students

U.S. News weighs factors like graduation rates, faculty resources, financial resources and academic reputation to build its list each year. The rankings are just one tool — not the whole story — for prospective students and families comparing schools, but they offer a handy annual snapshot of how Alabama’s universities stack up against the rest of the country.