UAB is the highest-ranked school for social mobility in Alabama and is the second-highest-ranked public school in Alabama. U.S. News & World Report has named the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the 2026 Best Colleges Rankings, placing UAB toward the top of the eight Alabama institutions that appeared in the overall ranking. UAB was the highest-ranked public institution in the Southeast for faculty research performance, a sub-ranking of Best National Universities.
“This ranking reflects how our talented faculty and students continue to push the envelope in groundbreaking research across — and at the intersection of — many disciplines and fields,” said UAB President Ray Watts. “Our research enterprise remains nationally and globally competitive and, most importantly, continues to positively impact lives around our state, nation and world.”
UAB gained one spot from last year for Top Public Schools, ranking No. 67. This continues to make UAB the second-highest-ranked public school in Alabama. New to this year’s rankings are the Best Value Schools for In-State Students, where UAB was ranked No. 93.
“UAB continues to be recognized among the top colleges in Alabama and nationally due to our world-class academic programs, outstanding opportunities for research and experiential learning, and distinctive student experience,” said UAB Provost Janet Woodruff-Borden. “We are providing our students with the support and resources they need to blaze their own path to success — here on campus and in our community, and in future careers that are both rewarding and impactful.”
Explore UAB’s undergraduate and graduate degree programs at uab.edu/degrees. See what it is like to be a Blazer and plan your campus visit at uab.edu/visit.
UAB gained eight spots in the Top Performers on Social Mobility, continuing its streak as the highest-ranked institution in Alabama for this ranking. The ranking is based solely on two indicators that showcase how the institution increases access to educational and career opportunities centered on their talents and efforts. In fall 2025, UAB’s freshman class was 37 percent first-generation students.
“This ranking reflects UAB’s commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed,” said John R. Jones III, Ph.D., vice president for Student Affairs. “Our student-first approach means seeing each student as a person, meeting them where they are, and connecting them with the services and support they need. Student Affairs works alongside Academic Affairs and partners across campus to support the whole student and help turn opportunity into achievement.”
UAB’s Bachelor of Science degree in nursing moved up from No. 13 to No. 6, placing the program in the top 1 percent of all undergraduate nursing programs in the United States. It remains the highest-ranked nursing program in Alabama and now ties the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as the top-ranked nursing program out of Southeastern public institutions.
This is the 42nd year that U.S. News & World Report has compiled its Best Colleges rankings. A complete list of U.S. News rankings can be found online. Rankings are derived from subsets of the main ranking data and/or peer assessment scores. U.S. News determined average peer assessment scores by computing a trimmed mean — eliminating the two highest and two lowest scores given by respondents. Average scores were then sorted, and programs ranked in descending order based on the average peer assessment score.
UAB continues to shine
Preliminary enrollment figures indicate UAB is on track to welcome the largest freshman class in university history for fall 2026. While final enrollment data will not be available until the university’s official census later this semester, early estimates project approximately 2,600 first-year freshman students, which would be 3 percent higher than last year’s record-setting class.
The Blaze a Brighter Future campaign launched this fall to recruit the next generation of Blazers. The campaign highlights the transformative opportunities available to Blazers, from nationally recognized academic programs, such as the highest-ranked nursing program in Alabama, to state-of-the-art facilities like the Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall.