The Big Ten Conference isn’t just about sports—it’s a mix of history, academics, and tradition that dates back to 1896. People recognize Big Ten schools for their academic excellence, competitive sports teams, and passionate communities.   

So, who’s in the conference in 2025? With all the changes in college athletics, it’s easy to lose track. Here’s your up-to-date guide to all 18 schools and what makes each one unique. 

• University of Illinois 

• Indiana University 

• The University of Iowa 

• University of Maryland 

• University of Michigan 

• Michigan State University 

• University of Minnesota 

• University of Nebraska 

• Northwestern University 

• The Ohio State University 

• The Pennsylvania State University 

• Purdue University 

• Rutgers University 

• University of Oregon 

• UCLA

• USC

• University of Washington 

• University of Wisconsin 

University of Illinois

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a global leader in research, especially in engineering and computer science. In 2024, the Illini won the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament and reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.  

• Academic Highlight: Grainger College of Engineering, ranked among the top five public engineering programs in the U.S.

• Unique Major: Engineering-Based Medicine at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-focused medical school.   

• Notable Alumni: Marc Andreessen (co-founder of Netscape), Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad).  

• Famous Athletes: Red Grange (NFL pioneer), Dick Butkus (NFL Hall of Famer), Deron Williams (NBA All-Star). 

• Recent Wins: 2024 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions, 2023 Big Ten Men’s Golf Champions. 

• Biggest Rival: Northwestern in the “Land of Lincoln” rivalry.   

• Iconic Spot: Papa Del’s Pizza, loved for its deep-dish style.   

• Fun Fact: Legend says a kiss at "The Eternal Flame" bench on the quad leads to everlasting love.    

Indiana University

Indiana’s world-famous Jacobs School of Music and men’s basketball program are just a couple reasons it stands out. In 2024, the Hoosiers football team had a historic 10-0 start under new head coach Curt Cignetti.   

• Academic Highlight: Jacobs School of Music, one of the best in the world.   

• Unique Major: Game Design & Development, combining art, storytelling, and tech.   

• Notable Alumni: Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games author), Kevin Kline (Oscar-winning actor).   

• Famous Athletes: Mark Spitz (9-time Olympic gold medalist), Lilly King (Olympic swimmer).   

• Recent Wins: 2025 Big Ten Men’s Swimming and Diving Champions (fourth consecutive). 

• Biggest Rival: Purdue in the “Old Oaken Bucket” rivalry.   

• Iconic Spot: Nick’s English Hut, known for its fun games and “Biz Fries.” 

• Fun Fact: IU men’s basketball holds the title of the last undefeated NCAA Men’s Basketball Champion (1976).   

The University of Iowa

The University of Iowa is known for its strong healthcare and creative writing programs. On the court, Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking basketball career left a lasting legacy, with her jersey retired in 2025.   

• Academic Highlight: Iowa Writers’ Workshop, America’s top creative writing program.   

• Unique Major: Ethics and Public Policy at the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. 

• Notable Alumni: Michael Cunningham (Pulitzer Prize-winning author), Mildred Benson (authored Nancy Drew mysteries). 

• Famous Athletes: Caitlin Clark (NCAA all-time scoring leader, 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year), Nile Kinnick (Heisman Trophy winner, stadium namesake). 

• Recent Wins: 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Champions.   

• Biggest Rival: Iowa State in the “Cy-Hawk” rivalry.   

• Iconic Spot: Prairie Lights Café, a favorite for book lovers and students.   

• Fun Fact: At every Iowa football game, fans wave to the children and families at the nearby hospital. The patients - who can see into Kinnick Stadium - wave back.

University of Maryland

Maryland is known for its journalism, engineering, and business programs. The student-athletes also excel in their academics, setting a record-high Academic Progress Rate in 2023–24.   

• Academic Spotlight: Philip Merrill College of Journalism, one of the best in the nation.   

• Unique Major: Geospatial Information Sciences, blending mapping tech and remote sensing.   

• Notable Alumni: Kevin Plank (Under Armour founder), Sergey Brin (Google co-founder), Carly Fiorina (first female Fortune 20 CEO). 

• Famous Athletes: Stefon Diggs (NFL All-Pro wide receiver), Kristi Toliver (WNBA associate head coach).  

• Recent Championships: 2022 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Champions (perfect 18-0 season). 

• Biggest Rival: In general, it's Penn State. In lacrosse, Maryland battles with Johns Hopkins each year for a crab-shaped rivalry trophy.

• Iconic Eatery: Maryland Dairy, famous for homemade ice cream in fun flavors. 

• Fun Fact: Students believe that rubbing the Testudo mascot statue brings good luck. On the flip side, the “Point of Failure” spot on campus is where they avoid stepping if they want to graduate on time.   

University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is strong in both academics and sports, and it is often ranked one of the best public universities in the country. In 2024, Michigan took home the College Football Playoff Championship.   

• Academic Spotlight: Business, engineering, and nursing programs consistently rank in the top 15 nationally. 

• Unique Major: Interdisciplinary Program in the Environment, combining science, policy, and sustainability.  

• Notable Alumni: Larry Page (Google co-founder), Madonna (iconic performer), James Earl Jones (actor, the voice of Darth Vader). 

• Famous Athletes: Tom Brady (7-time Super Bowl champ), Desmond Howard (Heisman Trophy winner), Carol Hutchins (winningest NCAA softball coach). 

• Recent Championships: 2025 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions, 2024 College Football Playoff Champions.   

• Biggest Rival: Ohio State. “The Game” is an annual football classic.   

• Iconic Eatery: Zingerman’s Deli, known for its legendary sandwiches.   

• Fun Fact: Michigan Stadium, aka “The Big House,” is the largest football venue in the U.S.   

Michigan State University

Michigan State University is known for its strong programs in education and veterinary medicine. It also shines in sports, with the men’s hockey team winning back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2024 and 2025.   

• Academic Spotlight: College of Education, one of the best in the country.   

• Unique Major: Sustainable Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, focused on managing outdoor spaces.   

• Notable Alumni: James Caan (The Godfather actor), Sam Raimi (director of Spider-Man), Gretchen Whitmer (Governor of Michigan). 

• Famous Athletes: Magic Johnson (NBA legend), Draymond Green (NBA), Savatheda Fynes (Olympic gold medalist). 

• Recent Achievements: Men’s hockey took home consecutive regular season and tournament titles in 2024 and 2025.   

• Biggest Rival: University of Michigan—one of the fiercest in-state rivalries.   

• Iconic Eatery: Conrad’s Grill, known for late-night "Spartan Wraps" stuffed with tots, cheese, chicken, and all kinds of comfort food combinations. 

• Fun Fact: The 1965 football team was one of the first racially integrated teams. They won the national title and were added to MSU’s Hall of Fame in 2024.   

University of Minnesota

Located in the Twin Cities, the University of Minnesota excels in health sciences and business. The Golden Gophers are consistently top performers in hockey and wrestling. 

• Academic Spotlight: College of Education and Human Development, with one of the top-ranked Developmental Psychology programs in the country. 

• Coolest Major: Biomedical Engineering with a Biomedical Imaging Emphasis, combining anatomy, 3D modeling, and communication.   

• Notable Alumni: Hubert Humphrey (former U.S. Vice President), Jessica Lange (actress who won two Oscars, three Emmys, and a Tony). 

• Famous Athletes: Logan Cooley (NHL player), and numerous women’s hockey All-Americans.   

• Recent Achievements: Wrestler Gable Steveson won his fourth career Big Ten title.   

• Biggest Rival: University of Wisconsin—a heated border rivalry for Paul Bunyan's Axe.   

• Iconic Eatery: Al’s Breakfast in Dinkytown, famous for its pancakes and diner charm. 

• Fun Fact: You can often spot wild turkeys wandering near East River Road on campus.   

University of Nebraska

As Nebraska’s flagship land-grant university, the home of the Big Red stands out for its strengths in agricultural sciences and education. On the field, the baseball team won the 2025 Big Ten Tournament as the No. 8 seed to defend their 2024 title. 

• Academic Highlight: College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, ranked among the nation’s best.   

• Unique Program: Nebraska Translator and Interpreter Corps, which seeks to eliminate language barriers and create strong, dynamic connections between the different communities in Nebraska. 

• Notable Alumni: Warren Buffett (CEO of Berkshire Hathaway), Johnny Carson (The Tonight Show legend), Willa Cather (Pulitzer Prize-winning author). 

• Star Athletes: Jordan Burroughs (Olympic gold medalist in wrestling), Jordan Larson (Olympic gold medalist, volleyball). 

• Recent Wins: 2025 Big Ten Baseball Tournament Champions, 2024 Big Ten Volleyball Champions.   

• Biggest Rival: University of Iowa, with their fiery football “Heroes Game.”   

• Iconic Eatery: Yia Yia’s Pizza, a downtown Lincoln staple with unique pizza flavors, loaded baked potatoes, and loaded cheese bread. 

• Hidden Gem: The Speech & Debate Team, the oldest student group on campus, took home national titles in 2022 and 2023.   

Northwestern University

Located just north of Chicago, Northwestern combines elite academics with Big Ten athletics. Boasting a 98% graduation success rate—the highest in FBS programs—the Wildcats are also getting a brand-new, state-of-the-art stadium in 2026. 

• Academic Highlight: Medill School of Journalism, one of the best in the nation.   

• Unique Program: Integrated Science Program, which allows students to explore several scientific fields simultaneously. 

• Notable Alumni: Stephen Colbert (comedian and TV host), George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones author), Kathryn Hahn (comedian, actress). 

• Athletic Star: Tracey Fuchs, field hockey’s GOAT and record-breaking coach.   

• Recent Titles: 2024 NCAA Field Hockey Champions, 2025 NCAA Women’s Golf Champions. 

• Biggest Rival: University of Illinois in the “Land of Lincoln” showdown.   

• Iconic Eatery: Andy's Frozen Custard, a rite of passage for most Wildcats.   

• Fun Fact: Ryan Field’s upcoming renovation will bring a canopy and premium seating to elevate the game-day experience.   

The Ohio State University

Ohio State blends top-tier academics with powerhouse athletics. The Buckeyes claimed their ninth football championship in January 2025 alongside 12 national titles during the 2023–24 season.  

• Academic Highlight: College of Nursing, which is consistently one of the best in the nation. 

• Cool Major: Forensic Anthropology, which combines biology with the identification of human remains in legal and medical settings. 

• Notable Alumni: R.L. Stine (Goosebumps author), George Steinbrenner (legendary Yankees owner), Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond). 

• Famous Athletes: Eddie George (Heisman winner), Jack Nicklaus (golf legend), Katie Smith (WNBA Hall of Famer). 

• Recent Wins: 2025 College Football Playoff Champs, 2025 Big Ten Men’s Lacrosse Champs (a program first!).   

• Biggest Rival: Michigan, with their legendary football showdown, “The Game.”   

• Iconic Eatery: Buckeye Donuts, a 24/7 spot with fresh donuts, all-day breakfast, and gyros.  

• Fun Fact: Two Ohio State professors helped invent Drumsticks!  

University of Oregon

A leader in environmental science, education, and law, the University of Oregon officially joined the Big Ten in 2024. The Ducks hit the ground running, winning eight conference titles in their first year—more than any other Big Ten school.   

• Academic Spotlight: The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, a leader in sustainability studies.   

• Coolest Major: Sports Product Design, blending engineering, creativity, and sustainability in the sports industry.   

• Famous Alumni: Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman (Nike co-founders), Kaitlin Olson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia). 

• Famous Athletes: Sabrina Ionescu (Olympic gold medalist, WNBA star), Ashton Eaton (Olympic decathlon champion). 

• Recent Championships: 2024 Big Ten Football Champions, 2025 NCAA Women’s Indoor Track & Field Champions.  

• Biggest Rival: Oregon State in the Civil War rivalry.   

• Iconic Eatery: Duck’s House, a popular game day spot with a UO-themed menu, including the “Oregon Waffle.” 

• Fun Fact: Disney’s Donald Duck inspired the Oregon Duck mascot through a special licensing deal.    

The Pennsylvania State University

Located in University Park, Penn State excels in engineering and business. With one of the largest alumni networks worldwide, the Nittany Lions are also a force athletically, especially in football and wrestling.  

• Academic Spotlight: Smeal College of Business, renowned for its supply chain, operations, and management programs.   

• Unique Major: Turfgrass Science—training experts who manage fields for stadiums, golf courses, and more.   

• Notable Alumni: Keegan-Michael Key (comedian), Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek), Lara Spencer (Good Morning America). 

• Star Athletes: Saquon Barkley (NFL star), David Taylor (Olympic wrestling champ), Ali Krieger (FIFA World Cup winner). 

• Recent Championships: 2025 NCAA Wrestling Champs, 2025 NCAA Volleyball Champs  

• Biggest Rival: Ohio State, with intense football matchups every year.   

• Iconic Eatery: The Creamery, famous for its campus-made ice cream (even President Biden stopped by!).   

• Fun Fact: Penn State hosts THON, the largest student-run charity event in the world. It raises $15M+ annually for childhood cancer research.   

Purdue University

Purdue is a leader in engineering, aerospace, and agriculture with an impressive reputation in both academics and athletics. Its engineering programs and men’s basketball team consistently grab national attention.  

• Academic Highlight: College of Engineering, especially strong in aerospace, mechanical, and civil engineering.   

• Strong Major: Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Purdue has produced more astronauts than any other public university, earning the nickname “The Cradle of Astronauts.” 

• Notable Alumni: Neil Armstrong (first person on the moon), Gus Grissom (NASA astronaut), Janice Voss (astronaut). 

• Star Athletes: Drew Brees (NFL MVP), Glenn Robinson (NBA star), Stephanie White (WNBA star and coach). 

• Recent Wins: 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament Champions.   

• Biggest Rival: Indiana University, an in-state classic. 

• Iconic Eatery: Triple XXX Family Restaurant, Indiana’s oldest drive-in diner, known for root beer and burgers.   

• Fun Fact: Purdue’s official mascot, the Boilermaker Special, is an actual train that drives around campus and is a regular at games.   

Rutgers University

One of the oldest colleges in the U.S., Rutgers is the main research university in New Jersey. The university is well-known for its strong programs in health, environmental, social, and behavioral sciences. 

• Academic Spotlight: Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, ranked among the top pharmacy schools nationally.   

• Unique Major: Packaging Engineering, a rare program blending engineering, materials science, and design for sustainability.   

• Notable Alumni: James Gandolfini (actor, The Sopranos), Elizabeth Warren (U.S. Senator).   

• Famous Athletes: Carli Lloyd (2x FIFA World Player of the Year), Isaiah Pacheco (2x Super Bowl Champion). 

• Recent Championships: 2024 NCAA Wrestling All-Americans, consistent top finishes in women’s soccer.  

• Biggest Rival: Penn State, with intense matchups in football and wrestling.   

• Iconic Eatery: Stuff Yer Face, the campus stromboli hot spot featured on Man v. Food.   

• Fun Fact: Rutgers hosted the first college football game in 1869 against Princeton. The Scarlet Knights won 6-4.  

UCLA

The University of California Los Angeles is a top public research university with standout programs in life sciences, education, and fine arts. A bright spot in both academics and athletics, the Bruins captured their first Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship in 2025.   

• Academic Spotlight: Ranked the #1 public institution by U.S. News in 2025 

• Strongest Major: Design Media Arts, which combines design, art, and technology for creativity in the digital age. 

• Famous Alumni: John Williams (composer, Star Wars), Ben Stiller (comedian/actor), Marilyn Monroe (iconic actress, singer, model). 

• Famous Athletes: Jackie Robinson (baseball icon), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (NBA legend), Dot Richardson (Olympic gold medalist, collegiate softball coach). 

• Recent Championships: 2025 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Champs (plus the program's first Final Four appearance).   

• Biggest Rival: USC, a storied cross-town rivalry.   

• Iconic Eatery: Lamonica’s NY Pizza, the late-night, Westwood institution known for its Brooklyn-made pies. 

• Fun Fact: Students scream at 12:00am during finals week to blow off steam. They call it "The Midnight Yell."  

USC

The University of Southern California is a private research powerhouse, well-known for its cinematic arts, engineering, and business programs. The Trojans secured the Big Ten Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship in 2025. 

• Academic Spotlight: The School of Cinematic Arts, offering world-class film and media programs.   

• Unique Major: Narrative Studies, preparing students for storytelling in novels, films, theatre, and more. 

• Famous Alumni: George Lucas (Star Wars creator), Will Ferrell (actor, comedian), Shonda Rhimes (producer and screenwriter). 

• Famous Athletes: Allyson Felix (most decorated track athlete in history), Reggie Bush (Heisman winner, NFL star). 

• Recent Championships: 2025 NCAA Men's Indoor Track & Field Champions, 2025 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Champions.   

• Biggest Rival: UCLA, keeping the rivalry alive within the Big Ten.   

• Iconic Eatery: McKay's, a sports-themed restaurant with a breakfast buffet and special game day events.   

• Fun Fact: USC has played in 34 Rose Bowls, winning a record 25 of them.   

University of Washington

The University of Washington is a leading public research school and excels in areas like computer science, nursing, and engineering. In their debut Big Ten season, UW made a big impression, grabbing multiple NCAA individual national titles.  

• Academic Spotlight: The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, famous for its groundbreaking work in AI and human-computer interaction.   

• Unique Major: Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, which (pun intended) dives into aquatic organisms, freshwater and marine environments, and aquatic sustainability. 

• Famous Alumni: Anna Faris (actress) and Kenny G (musician).   

• Graduated Athletes: Kelsey Plum (WNBA All-Star), Hope Solo (former USWNT goalkeeper). 

• Recent Championships: Individual NCAA titles in track & field (2025), plus strong performances in rowing and swimming.

• Biggest Rival: Washington State. Each year, the in-state foes fight for the Apple Cup.  

• Iconic Eatery: Anything on “The Ave” where there are several restaurants, including Birria Pepe El Toro and Thai Tom. 

• Fun Fact: Husky Stadium has the record for the loudest college football game. It reached 133.6 decibels against Nebraska in 1992, which is as loud as a jet engine at close range!   

University of Wisconsin

As Wisconsin’s flagship university, UW–Madison is a leader in computer science, economics, and food science. Its student section is known for the “Jump Around” tradition, when everyone jumps to the song at the end of the third quarter. 

• Academic Spotlight: The Department of Food Science, famous for its trailblazing ice cream research.   

• Unique Program: The Fermented Foods & Beverages certificate, which teaches students how to create products like beer, cheese, kimchi, and kombucha.   

• Famous Alumni: Dick Cheney (former U.S. Vice President), Charles Lindbergh (aviation pioneer), Lorraine Hansberry (first African American author to have a play on Broadway). 

• Notable Graduated Athletes: Russell Wilson (NFL quarterback), J.J. Watt (NFL defensive superstar), Rose Lavelle (FIFA World Cup Champion, Olympic medalist). 

• Recent Championships: 2025 NCAA Women’s Hockey Champions.   

• Biggest Rival: Minnesota. This border-state rivalry heats up in football and hockey every year.  

• Iconic Eatery: Mickie’s Dairy Bar, a retro diner with giant portions located right across from Camp Randall. 

• Hidden Gem: Home to the food science ice cream club, known for creative flavors like the fan-favorite “Honey Badger.”   

That's All 18!

The Big Ten is a powerhouse of academics, athletics, and tradition. With legendary rivalries, incredible schools, and vibrant campus cultures, it’s where competition meets community. Whether it’s a packed stadium on game day or a classroom full of bright ideas, the Big Ten continues to inspire and connect a thriving community.   

That's the full list of Big Ten schools!   

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