NEW: All 18 Big Ten schools ranked academically by U.S. News for 2027

As of Sept. 22, 2026, US News and World Report has updated its rankings of national universities.

There have been a few major shakeups, not just in the Big Ten, but also nationally.

Badgers Wire's Jordon Lawrenz compiled a list of the 2026-27 rankings back on July 11, 2026.

With 2027 seemingly right around the corner, it's time to take a look at the biggest risers and fallers, according to the US News & World Report.

That said, Northwestern, to no surprise, held its ground at No. 1, though there were a few intriguing moving parts near the middle of the rankings.

No. 18 University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Dec 7, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; The Nebraska Cornhuskers logo is pictured on a basketball during warmups before the game against the Creighton Bluejays at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

City: Lincoln, Nebraska

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 18

Undergraduate enrollment: 19,787

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 158

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 169

In-state cost:

N/A

No. 17: University of Oregon

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning cheers on his team as the Oregon Ducks host the Portland State Vikings on Sept. 18, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

City: Eugene, Oregon

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 17

Undergraduate enrollment: 20,710

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 110

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 116

In-state cost: $16,509

No. 16: University of Iowa

A subtle version of the University of Iowa Hawkeye logo was recently revealed embedded in glass in the physical therapy space at the east end of the new 300,000-square-foot UI Health Care facility under construction in North Liberty.

City: Iowa City, Iowa

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 16

Undergraduate enrollment: 23,407

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 102

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 100

In-state cost: $11,971

No. 15: Indiana University - Bloomington

Sep 24, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; The Indiana Hoosiers logo sewn into a band members uniform before the game against Wake Forest at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

City: Bloomington, Indiana

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 15

Undergraduate enrollment: 38,463

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 73

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 73

In-state cost: $12,144

No. 14: Michigan State University

Michigan State University mascot Sparty stands on stage next to Tom Izzo, head coach of the Michigan State University men’s basketball team, and J Batt, vice president and director of athletics at Michigan State University, during a logo reveal event for the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four inside Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.

City: East Lansing, Michigan

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 14

Undergraduate enrollment: 41,415

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 64

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 69

In-state cost: $19,742

No. 13: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Sep 8, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of Minnesota Golden Gophers logo before a game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

City: Minneapolis, Minnesota

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 12 (tied)

Undergraduate enrollment: 42,565

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 59

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 59

In-state cost: $19,162

T-No. 12: Penn State University - University Park

Sep 19, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State students cheer during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bulls at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

City: University Park, Pennsylvania

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 12 (tied)

Undergraduate enrollment: 42,822

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 59

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 55

In-state cost: $21,518

T-No. 12: Purdue University - Main Campus

Former Purdue President Mitch Daniels wears a pin featuring the Purdue logo, Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the Purdue University Dauch Alumni Center in West Lafayette, Ind.

City: West Lafayette, Indiana

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 11

Undergraduate enrollment: 43,633

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 46

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 55

In-state cost: $9,992

T-No. 10: University of Maryland, College Park

Sep 15, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Detailed view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet during the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Virginia Cavaliers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports

City: College Park, Maryland

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 8 (tied)

Undergraduate enrollment: 31,875

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 42

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 49

In-state cost: $12,834

T-No. 10: University of Washington

Dec 1, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The Washington Huskies logo in the end zone during the Pac-12 Championship game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

City: Seattle, Washington

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 8 (tied)

Undergraduate enrollment: 40,996

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 42

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 49

In-state cost: $13,406

T-No. 8: Rutgers University - New Brunswick

Nov 11, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; A Rutgers Scarlet Knights helmet sits on the turf at Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

City: Piscataway, New Jersey

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 8 (tied)

Undergraduate enrollment: 39,477

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 42

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 44

In-state cost: $19,389

T-No. 8: The Ohio State University

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads his team onto the field for the NCAA football game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 19, 2026. Ohio State won 59-3.

City: Columbus, Ohio

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 7

Undergraduate enrollment: 46,627

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 41

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 44

In-state cost: $14,050

T-No. 6: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Sep 8, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of the helmet worn by Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Zachary Barlev (68) during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

City: Champaign, Illinois

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 5 (tied)

Undergraduate enrollment: 38,572

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 36

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 34

In-state cost: $18,434

T-No. 6: University of Wisconsin - Madison

Bucky Badger hypes up University of Wisconsin fans during Badger Bash North on Sept. 5, 2026, in Green Bay, Wis. Wisconsin football will play against the University of Notre Dame on Sept. 6 at Lambeau Field.

City: Madison, Wisconsin

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 5 (tied)

Undergraduate enrollment: 39,193

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 36

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 34

In-state cost: $12,416

No. 4: University of Southern California

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Southern California Trojans SC logo at midfield is seen before a game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

City: Los Angeles, California

2026 Big Ten Rank: 4

Undergraduate enrollment: 20,768

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 28

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 27

Cost: $77,336

No. 3: University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Sep 5, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan wide receiver JJ Buchanan (6) catches a Hail Mary pass for a touchdown with no time on the clock to beat Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

City: Ann Arbor, Michigan

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 3

Undergraduate enrollment: 35,358

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 20

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 25

In-state cost: $20,082

No. 2: University of California - Los Angeles

Sep 19, 2026; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) reacts at the end of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

City: Los Angeles, California

2026 Big Ten Rank: No. 2

Undergraduate enrollment: 33,534

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2026: No. 17

U.S. News & World Report ranking 2027: No. 20

In-state cost: $15,473

No. 1: Northwestern University

Oct 2, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive lineman Brendan Flakes (15) celebrates the Cats win against the Penn State Nittany Lions at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images