AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn University moved into the nation’s Top 100 universities and advanced among the Top 50 public institutions in the annual 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, with notable gains across several academic programs and key areas of the student experience ranking among the nation’s best.
Auburn rose two positions to No. 100 nationally and three positions to No. 46 among public universities, maintaining its standing as Alabama’s highest-ranked university. In addition to its overall rankings, the university placed among the Top 50 public universities across multiple academic programs and key areas of the student experience, including undergraduate teaching, first-year experiences and innovation.
“Auburn’s place among the nation’s Top 100 universities and Top 50 public institutions reflects the strength we see across our university, from our academic programs to the quality of the experiences we provide our students,” President Christopher B. Roberts said. “This recognition is a credit to our faculty and staff, whose expertise, talent, and dedication advance Auburn’s mission while keeping our students at the center of what we do.”
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Among Auburn’s undergraduate academic programs, the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business continued its strong showing in the national rankings, with three programs placing among the Top 20. Supply Chain Management ranked No. 13 among public universities and No. 17 overall, remaining Auburn’s highest-ranked undergraduate program. Business Analytics also ranked No. 13 among public universities and No. 34 overall, while Accounting ranked No. 17 among public universities and No. 40 overall. Taken as a composite, the college’s undergraduate business program ranked No. 36 among public universities and No. 58 nationally.
The College of Nursing posted the university’s largest year-over-year gain. The undergraduate program in nursing climbed 13 positions to No. 27 nationally and No. 19 among public universities. Auburn’s investment in nursing education continues to prepare more highly skilled nurses to meet growing workforce needs and serve communities across Alabama and beyond.
The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering also gained ground. Undergraduate engineering rose five positions to No. 52 overall and ranked No. 30 among public universities, while its undergraduate computer science program ranked No. 50 among public universities and No. 88 overall.
Student outcomes take on greater emphasis
Released annually, the 2027 Best Colleges rankings evaluate more than 1,700 colleges and universities nationwide, with nearly half of an institution’s overall score based on student profile and outcomes. Measures including retention, graduation and graduate earnings shift the focus beyond who institutions enroll to how well students progress, complete their degrees and succeed after graduation.
The institutional attributes reflected in this year’s rankings also align with Auburn’s 2035 Strategic Plan, which places student outcomes at the forefront of its work, from helping students progress toward their degrees and expanding high-impact learning to strengthening career readiness and preparing graduates to meet the evolving workforce needs of Alabama and the nation.
“The success of our students is one of the most important measures of our mission,” Roberts said. “We want our graduates to leave Auburn with more than a degree. We want them to have meaningful experiences, be prepared to build successful careers, and to have the confidence and skills to make a difference in Alabama and beyond.”
Auburn’s student outcomes reflect that commitment at every stage of their experience. The university reported a 94% first-year retention rate and a record 84% six-year graduation rate. Before graduating, nearly 72% of undergraduates complete an applied work experience, including internships, cooperative education, undergraduate research and other opportunities that connect what they learn at Auburn with their future careers. That preparation continues to show results after graduation: 85% of 2025 undergraduate respondents and nearly 89% of graduate students achieved career success within six months.
Auburn also earned national recognition for several aspects of its broader student experience. First-Year Experiences ranked No. 7 among public universities and No. 41 overall, while Undergraduate Teaching ranked No. 14 among public universities and No. 57 overall. Auburn also climbed six positions to No. 42 nationally among Most Innovative Schools and ranked No. 18 among public universities.
The university ranked No. 46 among public universities for Best Colleges for Veterans and advanced one position to No. 66 overall, recognizing Auburn’s longstanding commitment to supporting student veterans and military-affiliated students as they transition to campus to pursue their degrees.
“These rankings recognize and acknowledge Auburn’s current strengths while reinforcing our trajectory for continued effectiveness,” Roberts added. “Of course, we will keep raising our expectations and building on the distinctions that have established Auburn as a leading public university.”
