U.S. News & World Report is out with the list of 2024 Best Colleges, and out of ranked schools, Auburn University is the highest-ranked overall in Alabama.

This year’s rankings placed a greater emphasis on social mobility and outcomes for graduating college students, which is the most significant methodological change in the rankings’ 39-year history, according to USNWR.

Because of the changes, many schools saw significant changes to their ranks from previous years. Notably, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina jumped 106 places while the University of Texas at San Antonio jumped 92 places.

Auburn, the highest ranked university in Alabama, jumped to 93rd, tied with Baylor, Gonzaga, University of Iowa and Loyola Marymount. Last year, the school was ranked 97th overall.

Princeton University was again named the best university in the National Universities overall rank.

While Auburn and University of Alabama at Huntsville – which ranked 227th, up 35 spots from last year – benefited from the new methodology, most Alabama schools saw large drops in their rankings.

University of Alabama at Birmingham dropped five places to 142nd; University of Alabama dropped 33 places to 170th; and Samford dropped 58 places to 185th.

University of South Alabama and Alabama State University were the other two schools ranked in the top 500, listed at 382nd and between 394-435th, respectively. Previous ranks were not provided for either school.

US News and World Report used 19 indicators to determine their National Universities ranking, with measures such as peer assessment, graduation rates and financial resources weighing most heavily. The National Universities methodology also introduced new ranking factors on first generation student graduation rates and faculty research.

Five ranking factors that were in the previous edition’s formula – alumni giving, class size, high school class standing, the proportion of instructional faculty with terminal degrees, and the proportion of graduates who borrowed federal loans – were removed as measures to place greater focus on outcomes and to rely on data universally reported by schools.

Separate rankings also were included for best national liberal arts colleges, best regional universities and best regional colleges.

Liberal arts rankings

Birmingham Southern College made the liberal arts college list, ranking at 11th, down 35 spots from last year following the school’s near closure last year due to debt. Oakwood University, a historically Black seventh-day adventist university in Huntsville, also made the list at 178th.

Regional colleges and university rankings

Tuskegee University ranked highest among Alabama schools on the Regional Universities (South) list in 8th place, down 2 spots from last year. Rollins College in Florida was ranked first overall.

Also included on that list were University of Montevallo in 20th place, up six spots; University of North Alabama ranked 33rd, down eight spots; Troy University ranked 55th, down 11 spots; Auburn University at Montgomery, ranked 63rd, up four spots; Jacksonville State ranked 64th, up 10 spots; University of Mobile ranked 76th, down 22 spots; University of West Alabama ranked 79th, down three spots; Alabama A&M ranked 98th; and Faulkner University ranked between 123rd and 135th.

Spring Hill College led Alabama schools in the Regional Colleges (South) category in 8th place, down one spot from last year. Huntingdon College followed close behind in 9th and also fell one place.

Talladega College was listed 61st, up four spots; Stillman College was 78th, down 15 spots; and Miles College was listed in 88th place.

High Point University in North Carolina took the top spot on the Southern Regional Colleges list.

For a full list of rankings, visit US News and World Reports full listing here.