2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference

About

Total enrollment rankings are a simple look at which institutions have the largest student body. This gives students and families an idea of which campuses are the largest and smallest.

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	Total Enrollment	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Ohio State University-Main Campus	61443	60.57	1,310 – 1,450	19783	51438	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH Ohio State University is a Public Ivy. Getting its start in 1870, it was originally known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. With 972 athletes, the Buckeyes take part in the Big Ten Conference. Popular sports include Football, Basketball, and Ice Hockey. Total Enrollment 61,443 2.3% Acceptance Rate 60.6% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $19,783 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,438
2	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	59238	42.37	1,330 – 1,520	13973	64802	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1, and 72% of students will graduate in 4 years. The most popular major is Computer Science. Illinois's motto is "Learning & Labor." Total Enrollment 59,238 4.7% Acceptance Rate 42.4% SAT Score 1,330 – 1,520 Avg. Net Price $13,973 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,802
3	Purdue University-Main Campus	58658	49.87	1,220 – 1,490	13722	60838	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN A NCAA Division I-FBS school, Purdue University was a founding member of the Big Ten Conference. Some famous alumni include Neil Armstrong, Millie Bobby Brown, and Orville Redenbacher. The school has also produced Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Olympic medalists. Total Enrollment 58,658 10.9% Acceptance Rate 49.9% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,490 Avg. Net Price $13,722 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,838
4	University of Washington-Seattle Campus	56997	39.15	1,230 – 1,460	11784	62979	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA As a large school, the University of Washington, Seattle has a 20 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Many freshmen come from Washington, Oregon, and California. 95% will stay on after their first year. Computer Science is a commonly pursued program. Total Enrollment 56,997 Acceptance Rate 39.2% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $11,784 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,979
5	University of Minnesota Twin Cities	56666	79.75	1,260 – 1,420	17209	57984	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is made up of two locations, 3 miles apart: Minneapolis and Falcon Heights. Their motto is “Commune vinculum omnibus artibus” or “A common bond for all the arts.” Getting its start in 1851 before Minnesota was a state, it’s the largest and oldest school in the state university system. Total Enrollment 56,666 3.2% Acceptance Rate 79.8% SAT Score 1,260 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,209 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,984
6	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	52855	15.64	1,370 – 1,530	17574	73762	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was founded in 1817, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Michigan. The most commonly chosen major at UMich is Computer and Information Sciences, General. During the last admissions cycle, 47% of accepted students decide to attend. Total Enrollment 52,855 1.5% Acceptance Rate 15.6% SAT Score 1,370 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $17,574 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $73,762
7	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	52269	58.15	1,310 – 1,500	20522	61263	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ New Brunswick is the oldest of the three campuses that make up Rutgers University. The school has 19 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, with many students majoring in Computer and Information Sciences, General, and Social Work....Read more Total Enrollment 52,269 3.3% Acceptance Rate 58.2% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $20,522 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,263
8	Michigan State University	52089	84.8	1,190 – 1,370	23657	55084	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Based in East Lansing, Michigan State University accepts 85% of applicants. They charge $65 for undergraduate applications and $65 for graduate applications. About 86% of students at Michigan State University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Total Enrollment 52,089 1.5% Acceptance Rate 84.8% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $23,657 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,084
9	University of Wisconsin-Madison	51044	45.2	1,360 – 1,480	14235	61275	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI The University of Wisconsin, Madison was the first public university in the state – it opened when Wisconsin received statehood in 1848. Their motto is “Numen Lumen” or “Divine Light.” With 40,000 faculty and staff, the university is also the largest employer in Wisconsin....Read more Total Enrollment 51,044 2.9% Acceptance Rate 45.2% SAT Score 1,360 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $14,235 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,275
10	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	50737	60.56	1,250 – 1,430	27889	55620	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA Based in University Park, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus’s acceptance rate is 61% and charges $65 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 34% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 93% and around 69% of students will graduate within four......Read more Total Enrollment 50,737 0.7% Acceptance Rate 60.6% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $27,889 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,620
11	Indiana University-Bloomington	48424	78.21	1,200 – 1,420	17270	53417	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN Bloomington is the flagship and largest campus of Indiana University. Alumni include Bob Chapek, Suzanne Collins, and Jimmy Wales. IUB is somewhat selective and has an impressive 91% first year retention rate. 81% of students graduate in six years. Total Enrollment 48,424 1.9% Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,270 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,417
12	University of California-Los Angeles	47335	8.97	1,320 – 1,540	14512	59063	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA The University of California, Los Angeles is the second-oldest branch of the state school system. Its motto is “fiat lux,” or “let there be light.” Famous alumni have included Sean Astin, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Morhaime, Jim Morrison, and Troy Aikman. Total Enrollment 47,335 Acceptance Rate 9.0% SAT Score 1,320 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $14,512 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,063
13	University of Southern California	46566	9.81	1,450 – 1,550	43412	74461	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA The University of Southern California is a extremely selective school. The most popular area of study is currently Management Science. Just some notable alumni are LeVar Burton, Neil Armstrong, Will Ferrell, and George Lucas. Total Enrollment 46,566 Acceptance Rate 9.8% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $43,412 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $74,461
14	University of Maryland-College Park	41725	44.79	1,410 – 1,540	16581	67785	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD University of Maryland, the state's flagship university, is home to six libraries, the ANSC campus farm, and the UMD golf course. Often called a Public Ivy, it offers an education comparable to Ivy League schools and has extremely high research activity. Computer Science is the most popular undergraduate major. Total Enrollment 41,725 2.2% Acceptance Rate 44.8% SAT Score 1,410 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $16,581 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,785
15	University of Iowa	30779	83.62	1,100 – 1,320	21765	52696	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Found in Iowa City, the University of Iowa accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 72% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Total Enrollment 30,779 2.5% Acceptance Rate 83.6% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $21,765 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,696
16	University of Oregon	24404	88.3	1,140 – 1,370	24605	46084	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Oregon Eugene, OR Found in Eugene, the University of Oregon accepts 88% of applicants. They charge $65 for undergraduate applications and $70 for graduate applications. Approximately 79% of students attending the University of Oregon will receive grant aid from the school. At the University of Oregon, there is a 86% first year retention rate......Read more Total Enrollment 24,404 Acceptance Rate 88.3% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $24,605 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,084
17	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	24393	87.49	1,110 – 1,320	18322	47692	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Located in Lincoln, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln accepted 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $45 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 92% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Total Enrollment 24,393 1.7% Acceptance Rate 87.5% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $18,322 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,692
18	Northwestern University	23856	7.69	1,500 – 1,560	26830	76844	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Total Enrollment – Big Ten Conference Northwestern University Evanston, IL A founding member of the Big Ten Conference, top sports for the Wildcats include Football, Basketball, and Swimming and Diving (combined). Willie the Wildcat cheers them on and the colors are purple and white....Read more Total Enrollment 23,856 2.8% Acceptance Rate 7.7% SAT Score 1,500 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $26,830 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $76,844