Southern Miss Jumps Nine Spots in U.S. Education Rankings

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to lead in collegiate athletics, with several programs showing strong performances and significant enrollment figures, although the conference overall experienced an average enrollment decline. Texas A&M and the University of Texas rank among the top 10 in enrollment nationally, but both saw notable drops alongside other SEC schools, with Georgia and Florida being exceptions that saw enrollment increases. Academically, SEC schools show mixed results in U.S. News & World Report rankings, with some institutions like Kentucky and Alabama improving, while others saw minor declines or remained stable. Clemson University has notably climbed to No. 7 in ESPN's Future Power Rankings, reflecting a resurgence driven by strategic use of the transfer portal and strong defensive and offensive line prospects. Meanwhile, the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has risen to No. 90 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Education Schools, marking the second-highest ranking in Mississippi and highlighting its commitment to preparing future educators. Together, these developments illustrate the SEC's athletic dominance alongside evolving academic and enrollment trends, as well as notable progress in specialized educational programs outside the conference.