March Madness Teams Are Set
For college basketball fans, March may be the best month of the year. Even some casual fans get in on the fun by filling out an NCAA Tournament bracket. The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament field includes 68 of the best teams in the country, with the Southeastern Conference setting a record with 14 teams selected. Here’s how each team places in the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings. Schools are listed in order by seed and separated by region — South, West, East, then Midwest. The tournament opened with the “First Four” — four games between No. 11 seeds and No. 16 seeds vying for spots in the main 64-team bracket. The 64-team tournament begins with first-round games March 20 and 21, then wraps up with the Final Four games in San Antonio, Texas on April 5 and the national championship April 7.
Auburn University (AL)
Seed: 1
Region: South
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 105 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 26,874
Learn more about Auburn University.
Michigan State University
Seed: 2
Region: South
Conference: Big Ten Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 63 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 40,483
Learn more about Michigan State University.
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Seed: 3
Region: South
Conference: Big 12 Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 121 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 25,332
Learn more about Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
Texas A&M University
Seed: 4
Region: South
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 51 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 59,933
Learn more about Texas A&M University.
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Seed: 5
Region: South
Conference: Big Ten Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 21 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 33,730
Learn more about University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.
University of Mississippi
Seed: 6
Region: South
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 171 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 19,094
Learn more about University of Mississippi.
Marquette University (WI)
Seed: 7
Region: South
Conference: Big East Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 86 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 7,652
Learn more about Marquette University.
University of Louisville (KY)
Seed: 8
Region: South
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 179 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 16,194
Learn more about University of Louisville.
Creighton University (NE)
Seed: 9
Region: South
Conference: Big East Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 121 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 4,262
Learn more about Creighton University.
University of New Mexico
Seed: 10
Region: South
Conference: Mountain West Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 231 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 17,073
Learn more about the University of New Mexico.
San Diego State University (CA)
Seed: 11
Region: South
Conference: Mountain West Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 109 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 32,896
Learn more about San Diego State University.
University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
Seed: 11
Region: South
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 27 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 20,880
Learn more about the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.
University of California, San Diego
Seed: 12
Region: South
Conference: Big West Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 29, National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 33,792
Learn more about University of California, San Diego.
Yale University (CT)
Seed: 13
Region: South
Conference: Ivy League
U.S. News rank and category: 5, National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 6,818
Learn more about Yale University.
Lipscomb University (TN)
Seed: 14
Region: South
Conference: Atlantic Sun
U.S. News rank and category: 244, National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 3,024
Learn more about Lipscomb University.
Bryant University (RI)
Seed: 15
Region: South
Conference: America East
U.S. News rank and category: 6 (tie), Regional Universities North
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 3,240
Learn more about Bryant University.
Alabama State University
Seed: 16
Region: South
Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 392-434, National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 3,322
Learn more about Alabama State University.
St. Francis University (PA)
Seed: 16
Region: South
Conference: Northeast Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 30, Regional Universities North
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 2,450
Learn more about St. Francis University.
South Region
— Auburn University (AL): 105 (tie), National Universities
— Michigan State University: 63 (tie), National Universities
— Iowa State University of Science and Technology: 121 (tie), National Universities
— Texas A&M University: 51 (tie), National Universities
— University of Michigan–Ann Arbor: 21 (tie), National Universities
— University of Mississippi: 171 (tie), National Universities
— Marquette University (WI): 86 (tie), National Universities
— University of Louisville (KY): 179 (tie), National Universities
— Creighton University (NE): 121 (tie), National Universities
— University of New Mexico: 231 (tie), National Universities
— San Diego State University (CA): 109 (tie), National Universities
— University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill: 27 (tie), National Universities
— University of California, San Diego: 29, National Universities
— Yale University (CT): 5, National Universities
— Lipscomb University (TN): 244, National Universities
— Bryant University (RI): 6 (tie), Regional Universities North
— Alabama State University: 392-434, National Universities
University of Florida
Seed: 1
Region: West
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 30 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 34,924
Learn more about the University of Florida.
St. John’s University (NY)
Seed: 2
Region: West
Conference: Big East Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 152 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 15,699
Learn more about St. John’s University.
Texas Tech University
Seed: 3
Region: West
Conference: Big 12 Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 214 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 32,635
Learn more about Texas Tech University.
University of Maryland, College Park
Seed: 4
Region: West
Conference: Big Ten Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 44 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 30,608
Learn more about University of Maryland, College Park.
University of Memphis (TN)
Seed: 5
Region: West
Conference: American Athletic Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 266 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 16,771
Learn more about University of Memphis.
University of Missouri
Seed: 6
Region: West
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 109 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 23,629
Learn more about University of Missouri.
University of Kansas
Seed: 7
Region: West
Conference: Big 12 Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 152 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 20,696
Learn more about the University of Kansas.
University of Connecticut
Seed: 8
Region: West
Conference: Big East Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 70 (tie) National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 19,388
Learn more about the University of Connecticut.
University of Oklahoma
Seed: 9 (tie)
Region: West
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 132 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 22,046
Learn more about University of Oklahoma.
University of Arkansas
Seed: 10
Region: West
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 189 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 27,472
Learn more about University of Arkansas.
Drake University (IA)
Seed: 11
Region: West
Conference: Missouri Valley Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 179 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 2,702
Learn more about Drake University.
Colorado State University
Seed: 12
Region: West
Conference: Mountain West Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 148 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 26,168
Learn more about Colorado State University.
Grand Canyon University (AZ)
Seed: 13
Region: West
Conference: Western Athletic Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 392-434, National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 66,769
Learn more about Grand Canyon University.
University of North Carolina–Wilmington
Seed: 14
Region: West
Conference: Coastal Athletic Association
U.S. News rank and category: 196 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 14,494
Learn more about University of North Carolina–Wilmington.
University of Nebraska Omaha
Seed: 15
Region: West
Conference: Summit League
U.S. News rank and category: 296 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 11,859
Learn more about University of Nebraska Omaha.
Norfolk State University (VA)
Seed: 16
Region: West
Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 55 (tie), Regional Universities South
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 5,337
Learn more about Norfolk State University.
West Region
— University of Florida: 30 (tie), National Universities
— St. John’s University (NY): 152 (tie), National Universities
— Texas Tech University: 214 (tie), National Universities
— University of Maryland, College Park: 44 (tie), National Universities
— University of Memphis (TN): 266 (tie), National Universities
— University of Missouri: 109 (tie), National Universities
— University of Kansas: 152 (tie), National Universities
— University of Connecticut: 70 (tie), National Universities
— University of Oklahoma: 132 (tie), National Universities
— University of Arkansas: 189 (tie), National Universities
— Drake University (NC): 179 (tie), National Universities
— Colorado State University: 148 (tie), National Universities
— Grand Canyon University (AZ): 392-434, National Universities
— University of North Carolina–Wilmington: 196 (tie), National Universities
— University of Nebraska Omaha: 296 (tie), National Universities
— Norfolk State University (VA): 55 (tie), Regional Universities South
Duke University (NC)
Seed: 1
Region: East
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 6 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 6,488
Learn more about Duke University.
The University of Alabama
Seed: 2
Region: East
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 171 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 33,435
Learn more about The University of Alabama.
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Seed: 3
Region: East
Conference: Big Ten Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 39 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 37,817
Learn more about the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
University of Arizona
Seed: 4
Region: East
Conference: Big 12 Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 109 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 42,075
Learn more about the University of Arizona.
University of Oregon
Seed: 5
Region: East
Conference: Big Ten Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 109 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 19,963
Learn more about the University of Oregon.
Brigham Young University (UT)
Seed: 6
Region: East
Conference: Big 12 Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 109 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 32,221
Learn more about Brigham Young University.
Saint Mary’s College of California
Seed: 7
Region: East
Conference: West Coast Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 6, Regional Universities West
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 2,044
Learn more about Saint Mary’s College of California.
Mississippi State University
Seed: 8
Region: East
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 214 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 18,230
Learn more about Mississippi State University.
Baylor University (TX)
Seed: 9
Region: East
Conference: Big 12 Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 91 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 15,155
Learn more about Baylor University.
Vanderbilt University (TN)
Seed: 10
Region: East
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 18 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 7,152
Learn more about Vanderbilt University.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Seed: 11
Region: East
Conference: Atlantic 10
U.S. News rank and category: 136 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 21,205
Learn more about Virginia Commonwealth University.
Liberty University (VA)
Seed: 12
Region: East
Conference: Conference USA
U.S. News rank and category: 392-434, National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 52,823
Learn more about Liberty University.
The University of Akron (OH)
Seed: 13
Region: East
Conference: Mid-American Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 377 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 11,452
Learn more about The University of Akron.
University of Montana
Seed: 14
Region: East
Conference: Big Sky Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 377 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 7,570
Learn more about University of Montana.
Robert Morris University (PA)
Seed: 15
Region: East
Conference: Horizon League
U.S. News rank and category: 214 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 3,769
Learn more about Robert Morris University.
American University (Washington, D.C.)
Seed: 16
Region: East
Conference: Patriot League
U.S. News rank and category: 91 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 7,817
Learn more about American University.
Mount St. Mary’s University (MD)
Seed: 16
Region: East
Conference: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 81 (tie), Regional Universities North
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 1,873
Learn more about Mount St. Mary’s University.
East Region
— Duke University (NC): 6 (tie), National Universities
— The University of Alabama: 171 (tie), National Universities
— University of Wisconsin–Madison: 39 (tie), National Universities
— University of Arizona: 109 (tie), National Universities
— University of Oregon: 109 (tie), National Universities
— Brigham Young University (UT): 109 (tie), National Universities
— Saint Mary’s College of California: 6, Regional Universities West
— Mississippi State University: 214 (tie), National Universities
— Baylor University (TX): 91 (tie), National Universities
— Vanderbilt University (TN): 18 (tie), National Universities
— Virginia Commonwealth University: 136 (tie), National Universities
— Liberty University (VA): 392-434, National Universities
— The University of Akron (OH): 377 (tie), National Universities
— University of Montana: 377 (tie), National Universities
— Robert Morris University (PA): 214 (tie), National Universities
— American University (Washington, D.C.): 91 (tie), National Universities
— Mount St. Mary’s University (MD): 81 (tie), Regional Universities North
University of Houston (TX)
Seed: 1
Region: Midwest
Conference: Big 12 Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 144 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 37,946
Learn more about the University of Houston.
University of Tennessee–Knoxville
Seed: 2
Region: Midwest
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 109 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 28,883
Learn more about the University of Tennessee–Knoxville.
University of Kentucky
Seed: 3
Region: Midwest
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 152 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 23,930
Learn more about the University of Kentucky.
Purdue University–Main Campus (IN)
Seed: 4
Region: Midwest
Conference: Big Ten Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 46 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 39,170
Learn more about Purdue University–Main Campus.
Clemson University (SC)
Seed: 5
Region: Midwest
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 80 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 22,875
Learn more about Clemson University.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Seed: 6
Region: Midwest
Conference: Big Ten Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 33 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 35,564
Learn more about the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
University of California–Los Angeles
Seed: 7
Region: Midwest
Conference: Big Ten Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 15 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 33,040
Learn more about University of California–Los Angeles.
Gonzaga University (WA)
Seed: 8
Region: Midwest
Conference: West Coast Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 98 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 5,163
Learn more about Gonzaga University.
University of Georgia
Seed: 9
Region: Midwest
Conference: Southeastern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 46 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 31,514
Learn more about University of Georgia.
Utah State University
Seed: 10
Region: Midwest
Conference: Mountain West Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 259 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 25,048
Learn more about Utah State University.
The University of Texas–Austin
Seed: 11
Region: Midwest
Conference: Big 12 Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 30 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 42,444
Learn more about The University of Texas–Austin.
Xavier University (OH)
Seed: 11
Region: Midwest
Conference: Big East Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 209 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 4,758
Learn more about Xavier University.
McNeese State University (LA)
Seed: 12
Region: Midwest
Conference: Southland Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 78 (tie), Regional Universities South
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 5,572
Learn more about McNeese State University.
High Point University (NC)
Seed: 13
Region: Midwest
Conference: Big South Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 1, Regional Colleges South
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 5,006
Learn more about High Point University.
Troy University (AL)
Seed: 14
Region: Midwest
Conference: Sun Belt Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 45 (tie), Regional Universities South
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 10,468
Learn more about Troy University.
Wofford College (SC)
Seed: 15
Region: Midwest
Conference: Southern Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 66 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 1,873
Learn more about Wofford College.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Seed: 16
Region: Midwest
Conference: Ohio Valley Conference
U.S. News rank and category: 359 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 8,975
Learn more about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Midwest Region
— University of Houston (TX): 144 (tie), National Universities
— University of Tennessee–Knoxville: 109 (tie), National Universities
— University of Kentucky: 152 (tie), National Universities
— Purdue University–Main Campus (IN): 46 (tie), National Universities
— Clemson University (SC): 80 (tie), National Universities
— University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: 33 (tie), National Universities
— University of California–Los Angeles: 15 (tie), National Universities
— Gonzaga University (WA): 98 (tie), National Universities
— University of Georgia: 46 (tie), National Universities
— Utah State University: 259 (tie), National Universities
— The University of Texas–Austin: 30 (tie), National Universities
— Xavier University (OH): 209 (tie), National Universities
— McNeese State University (LA): 78 (tie), Regional Universities South
— High Point University (NC): 1, Regional Colleges South
— Troy University (AL): 45 (tie), Regional Universities South
— Wofford College (SC): 66 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
— Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: 359 (tie), National Universities
Find out more about U.S. News’ Best Colleges.
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Where NCAA Tournament Schools Rank Among U.S. News Best Colleges originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 03/20/25: This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
