Best Southwestern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the Southwest for 2023

There are 302 colleges and universities in the Southwest enrolling 2,556,435 students. Explore the list of top colleges in the Southwest below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in Southwest offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

The  Southwest is home to nationally ranked institutions like Rice University, Trinity University, Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Austin. The highest ranked college in the Southwest is Rice University and the top rated public state college is The University of Texas at Austin.


302 results

List of the Best Southwest Colleges

Rice University
R
Houston, TX

Rice University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 8,285enrollment
  • $19,215net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.96Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Trinity University
T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $31,141net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1468SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Southern Methodist University
S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 12,385enrollment
  • $41,444net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

The University of Texas at Austin
T
Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 51,991enrollment
  • $16,892net price
  • 29%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1500SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Texas Christian University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 11,938enrollment
  • $40,220net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Texas A & M University College Station
T
College Station, TX

Texas A & M University College Station

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#6 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 72,530enrollment
  • $19,906net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1380SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Baylor University
B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 20,626enrollment
  • $40,133net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1350SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

University of Tulsa
T
Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,832enrollment
  • $25,333net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1370SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Southwestern University
S
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,504enrollment
  • $29,830net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Austin College
A
Sherman, TX

Austin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,228enrollment
  • $24,085net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

University of Dallas
D
Irving, TX

University of Dallas

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#11 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,538enrollment
  • $27,450net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1390SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Oklahoma City University
O
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,551enrollment
  • $25,072net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1233SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
O
Norman, OK

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 28,042enrollment
  • $21,836net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
E
Prescott, AZ

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,071enrollment
  • $36,356net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

The University of Texas at Dallas
T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 29,696enrollment
  • $11,185net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1450SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
N
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,734enrollment
  • $14,834net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Arizona
A
Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 48,274enrollment
  • $15,620net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 24,577enrollment
  • $14,763net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA