2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	The University of Texas at Austin	43165	26.64	1,230 – 1,500	18036	60896	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX The University of Texas at Austin was founded in 1883, but the first mention of it can be traced back to 1827. Famous alumni include Wes Anderson, James Baker, Matthew McConaughey, and Neil deGrasse Tyson....Read more Undergraduates 43,165 Acceptance Rate 26.6% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $18,036 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,896
2	Texas Christian University	11049	44.49	1,190 – 1,380	39005	60435	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX 81% of students attending Texas Christian University receive institutional grants to help cover the cost of college. With an impressive 92% first year retention rate, the school has a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Finance, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse are the most common undergraduate majors. Undergraduates 11,049 Acceptance Rate 44.5% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $39,005 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,435
3	Baylor University	14915	51.28	1,180 – 1,380	49727	56532	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference Baylor University Waco, TX Baylor University sits along the Brazos River. Alumni include John Lee Hancock, Jeff Dunham, Thomas Harris, and Michael Johnson. A fairly selective school, 14% of accepted students enroll and 90% will stay on after they complete their first year. 82% graduate within six years. Undergraduates 14,915 Acceptance Rate 51.3% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $49,727 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,532
4	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus	23351	76.6	1,140 – 1,340	19900	52216	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK The University of Oklahoma offers up to Doctor's degrees and has a first year retention rate of 90%. It originally opened as the Norman Territorial University in 1890, 17 years before Oklahoma became a state. Competing in the Big Twelve Conference, the Sooners have brought home over 40 national titles. Undergraduates 23,351 Acceptance Rate 76.6% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $19,900 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,216
5	Iowa State University	25628	88.66	1,090 – 1,330	17354	53873	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference Iowa State University Ames, IA Iowa State University's full name is Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The school has an 18 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 87% first year retention rate, and 51% 4-year graduation rate....Read more Undergraduates 25,628 Acceptance Rate 88.7% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $17,354 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,873
6	University of Kansas	22085	93.48	1,050 – 1,310	18322	51217	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Located in Lawrence, the University of Kansas accepts 93% of applicants. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 85% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Kansas, there is a 86% first year retention rate and 50% of......Read more Undergraduates 22,085 Acceptance Rate 93.5% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $18,322 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,217
7	Brigham Young University	32221	69.19	1,310 – 1,440	14643	58450	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference Brigham Young University Provo, UT Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management, Other is the most commonly chosen undergraduate major at Brigham Young University. BYU has four satellite campuses in Jerusalem, Salt Lake City, Washington D.C., and London....Read more Undergraduates 32,221 Acceptance Rate 69.2% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $14,643 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,450
8	University of Central Florida	59649	44.71	1,210 – 1,350	13110	47137	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Found in Orlando, the University of Central Florida accepts 45% of applicants and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 39% of students attending the University of Central Florida will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 59,649 Acceptance Rate 44.7% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $13,110 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,137
9	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	33572	85.29	1,180 – 1,350	21511	48310	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Found in Cincinnati, the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus accepted 85% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 62% of students attending the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 33,572 Acceptance Rate 85.3% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $21,511 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,310
10	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus	22351	75.04	1,040 – 1,280	18291	46855	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, OK Oklahoma State University’s Cowboys and Cowgirls compete in the NCAA Division I-FBS Big Twelve Conference and have brought home over 50 team championships. The average athletic scholarship is $20,218. OSU is somewhat selective. Undergraduates 22,351 Acceptance Rate 75.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $18,291 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,855
11	Kansas State University	15650	81.99	1,050 – 1,280	18745	49330	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Located in Manhattan, Kansas State University accepted 82% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $40 for undergraduate applications. About 88% of students attending Kansas State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 15,650 Acceptance Rate 82.0% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $18,745 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,330
12	Texas Tech University	32580	72.65	1,110 – 1,290	16773	52588	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Texas Tech University’s motto is “From here, it’s possible.” The school has a first year retention rate of 85%. Wearing scarlet and black, the Scarlet Raiders compete in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Their mascot is The Masked Rider. Undergraduates 32,580 Acceptance Rate 72.7% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $16,773 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,588
13	West Virginia University	18614	77.8	1,020 – 1,230	13691	45181	#13 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Based in Morgantown, West Virginia University’s acceptance rate is 78%. They request $50 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. Approximately 90% of students attending West Virginia University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 18,614 Acceptance Rate 77.8% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $13,691 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,181
14	University of Houston	39257	73.92	1,160 – 1,340	13738	52768	#14 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Twelve Conference University of Houston Houston, TX Undergraduates 39,257 Acceptance Rate 73.9% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $13,738 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,768