AUM ranks among South’s top public universities in 2027 U.S. News rankings
Auburn University at Montgomery continues to rank among the South’s leading public universities, earning a No. 35 ranking among public regional universities in the South in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings.
The recognition comes during a period of strong enrollment momentum for AUM, which welcomed 1,801 new students for Fall 2026 — one of the largest incoming classes during Chancellor Carl A. Stockton’s tenure.
“This recognition comes at a time of tremendous momentum for Auburn University at Montgomery,” Stockton said. “Our strong incoming class reflects growing confidence in the quality, value and opportunities an AUM education provides. These rankings further affirm the dedication of our faculty and staff to delivering exceptional academic programs and creating an environment where students can thrive.”
Now in his 11th year leading the university, Stockton has seen AUM maintain a fall enrollment of more than 5,000 students for nine consecutive years. The university’s Fall 2026 enrollment stands at 5,123 students.
AUM also earned recognition in several other U.S. News categories, ranking No. 36 among the South’s “Best Colleges for Veterans” and climbing four spots to No. 55 in “Social Mobility.”
The “Best Colleges for Veterans” category recognizes institutions that provide benefits and academic support to veterans and active-duty military members, including participation in GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon programs. The “Social Mobility” ranking considers how effectively universities enroll and graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants.
AUM’s undergraduate nursing program made one of the university’s most significant gains in this year’s rankings, climbing 79 spots nationally from No. 214 to No. 135 among “Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs.”
The nursing program has also demonstrated strong student outcomes, including consistently strong first-time pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which graduates must pass to become licensed registered nurses.
U.S. News bases its undergraduate nursing rankings on assessments from deans and senior faculty members at peer institutions. Programs must also meet accreditation requirements to be eligible for inclusion.
For more than four decades, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings have served as a resource for prospective students and families evaluating higher education options. The annual rankings consider a range of measures related to academic quality and student outcomes.
