Best Southwestern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the Southwest for 2025

There are 316 colleges and universities in the Southwest enrolling 2,648,178 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.

Southwest Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

316 results

List of the Best Southwest Colleges

Arizona State University
Connect Me
A
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#19 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 79,593enrollment
  • $16,401net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Connect Me
O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 26,043enrollment
  • $18,291net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Abilene Christian University
Connect Me
A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#21 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 5,114enrollment
  • $28,311net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Tech University
Connect Me
T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#22 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 40,773enrollment
  • $16,773net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of St Thomas
Connect Me
S
Houston, TX

University of St Thomas

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,813enrollment
  • $20,469net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1340SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Houston
Connect Me
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#24 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 46,676enrollment
  • $13,738net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Edward's University
Connect Me
S
Austin, TX

Saint Edward's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#25 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,309enrollment
  • $28,351net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1235SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.53Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Dallas Baptist University
Connect Me
D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 4,201enrollment
  • $30,275net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1217SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas at Tyler
Connect Me
T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#27 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 9,678enrollment
  • $14,043net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wayland Baptist University
Connect Me
W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#28 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,861enrollment
  • $20,222net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Lutheran University
Connect Me
T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,361enrollment
  • $23,600net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Oklahoma Baptist University
Connect Me
O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#30 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,526enrollment
  • $25,099net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
St. Mary's University
Connect Me
S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,411enrollment
  • $20,562net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of New Mexico Main Campus
Connect Me
N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 22,700enrollment
  • $7,528net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lubbock Christian University
Connect Me
L
Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#33 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,589enrollment
  • $25,351net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Texas
Connect Me
N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#34 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 47,507enrollment
  • $14,675net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas State University
Connect Me
T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#35 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 38,722enrollment
  • $15,307net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Houston Baptist University
Connect Me
H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#36 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 4,189enrollment
  • $20,530net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances