Auburn University has been ranked as the best university in Alabama and tied for 97^th best in the National Universities category in U.S. News and World Report’s latest Best Colleges rankings.

The rankings are based on 17 metrics, with the most weight placed on graduation and retention rates and average graduate indebtedness, according to the U.S. News report. Average class size, undergraduate academic reputation, test scores of incoming students and investment in instruction and student services are among the other metrics.

In national rankings, Auburn tied in the 42th position in Top Public Schools; tied in the 56^th position in the First Year Experiences category, tied in the 61^st position in Best Colleges for Veterans; tied in 61^st position for Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs among schools where the highest degree is a doctorate; tied in the 67^th position for its nursing program, tied in the 68th position for Most Innovative Schools and ranked 193th in Best Value Schools.

Samford University was ranked second in state rankings and took the 127^th spot among best colleges in the nation. It also ranked 66^th in the Best Undergraduate Teaching category, 106^th in Best Value Schools, and it tied for 112^th for its nursing program.

The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa came in the third spot in state rankings and took the 137^th spot in the national rankings. It also tied for the 39^th place for its nursing program and 64^th place in Top Public Schools, ranked 89^th in the Best Colleges for Veterans category and ranked 161th in Best Value Schools.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham came in the fourth spot for the state and in 9th place nationally for its nursing program. In other national rankings, it took the 137^th spot in the National Universities category, tied for 64^th place in Top Public Schools, 89th place for Best Colleges for Veterans and 137th in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs at schools where the highest degree is a doctorate.

The University of Alabama at Huntsville ranked fifth in the state. It also tied for the 263the place in the National Universities category, tied at 112^th in Nursing, tied at 123th place for Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs at schools where the highest degree is a doctorate; and tied at 132^nd in Top Public Schools.

Additionally, Birmingham-Southern College ranked 112^th in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category; Tuskegee University ranked 6^th in Regional Universities South; Spring Hill College in Mobile ranked 7^th in the Regional Colleges South category; Huntingdon College in Montgomery tied for 8^th in the Regional Colleges South; and Troy University tied for 44^th place in Regional Universities South.

Overall, Princeton University in New Jersey and Williams College in Massachusetts, respectively, were ranked first and second in the country.

For complete rankings, read U.S. News and World Reports’ story.