In a ranking of top universities in the country by U.S. News and World Report, the University of Georgia was No. 21 among public universities and No. 58 among public and private schools combined.

Auburn University was No. 39 among public universities and No. 88 overall.

The University of Alabama was No. 43 among public universities and No. 96 overall.

The University of Tennessee was No. 51 among public universities and No. 108 overall.

All ranked higher than schools such as LSU, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Mississippi State.

Getting the highest score among public schools in the Southeastern Conference was the University of Florida which was ranked No. 15 among public schools and No. 47 overall.

There were 15 indicators looked at to make the decision about a school's ranking.

This was the 17th consecutive year that Auburn has been ranked among the top 50 public universities.