University of Alabama
Athletic Web Site
Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Founded 1831
For three consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has named The University of Alabama one of the "top" 50 public universities in the nation.
University of Arkansas
Athletic Web Site
Fayetteville, Ark. - Founded 1871
Consistently, Arkansas students have won prestigious national and international scholarships and fellowships. Federally and corporately funded research has grown dramatically, with Arkansas' faculty winning major research grants from the nation's most competitive programs.
Auburn University
Athletic Web Site
Auburn, Ala. - Founded 1856
A 2001 study determined Auburn had a nearly $4 billion economic impact on the state of Alabama, including a $1.5 billion impact on the economy and $2.4 billion impact in "human capital."
University of Florida
Athletic Web Site
Gainesville, Fla. - Founded 1853
The University of Florida is the only school in the nation to finish in the top 10 in national all-sports rankings every year since 1983-84.
University of Georgia
Athletic Web Site
Athens, Ga. - Founded 1785
The Wall Street Journal includes UGA among 16 "Hot Schools" that are drawing increased attention from students and families because of cost, safety and academic quality advantages.
University of Kentucky
Athletic Web Site
Lexington, Ky. - Founded 1865
University of Kentucky academic programs boast 80 national rankings for quality education. UK is one of only a few universities in the country with a teaching and research campus and a medical center all in one central location.
Louisiana State University
Athletic Web Site
Baton Rouge, La. - Founded 1860
Because of its designation as a Research I University - the "top" category of the Carnegie Foundation's ranking of research institutions - LSU ranks in the "top" two percent of the nation's colleges and universities.
University of Mississippi
Athletic Web Site
Oxford, Miss. - Founded 1848
Since 1998, when the university produced its 24th Rhodes Scholar, Ole Miss has produced a Marshall Scholar, four truman Scholars, four Fulbright Scholars, and five Goldwater Scholars.
Mississippi State University
Athletic Web Site
Starkville, Miss. - Founded 1878
Mississippi State is home to one of the "top" 20 supercomputing sites among American universities, according to the "top" 500 Supercomputer Sites semiannual survey.
University of Missouri
Athletic Web Site
Columbia, Mo. - Founded 1839
Based on quality of teaching, research and scholarship, the University of Missouri is one of only 34 public U.S. universities invited to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).
University of South Carolina
Athletic Web Site
Columbia, S.C. - Founded 1801
The University of South Carolina's undergraduate international-business program is the "top"-ranked program in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2004 "America's Best Colleges Guide."
University of Tennessee
Athletic Web Site
Knoxville, Tenn. - Founded 1794
The University of Tennessee is the oldest and largest public higher education institution in the state, tracing its beginnings to the founding of Blount College in Knoxville in 1794.
Texas A&M University
Athletic Web Site
College Station, Texas - Founded 1876
Texas A&M University holds membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, one of only 61 institutions nationwide with this distinction.
Vanderbilt University
Athletic Web Site
Nashville, Tenn. - Founded 1873
In two decades, Vanderbilt has put more than $762 million toward renovation and construction on its campus, including the addition of state-of-the-art buildings for psychology, chemistry, and music, among others.