Best Southwestern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the Southwest for 2023

There are 301 colleges and universities in the Southwest enrolling 2,543,787 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.


301 results

List of the Best Southwest Colleges

University of North Texas
N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#37 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 42,441enrollment
  • $13,781net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Houston Baptist University
H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 4,120enrollment
  • $18,782net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

New Mexico State University Main Campus
N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#39 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 13,904enrollment
  • $11,467net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Texas Wesleyan University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#40 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,531enrollment
  • $23,479net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 920-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

The University of Texas at Arlington
T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#41 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 45,949enrollment
  • $15,220net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Prescott College
P
Prescott, AZ
 

Prescott College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#42 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,047enrollment
  • $23,225net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1290SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Hardin Simmons University
H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#43 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,937enrollment
  • $21,567net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

University of the Incarnate Word
T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#44 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 7,508enrollment
  • $23,041net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 920-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

University of Central Oklahoma
C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#45 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 13,250enrollment
  • $16,746net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Texas A & M University Corpus Christi
T
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A & M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#46 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 10,762enrollment
  • $14,294net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Texas Woman's University
T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#47 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 16,338enrollment
  • $10,087net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#48 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,791enrollment
  • $10,747net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 850-1090SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

University of Mary Hardin Baylor
M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#49 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,732enrollment
  • $27,629net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Oklahoma Christian University
O
Edmond, OK

Oklahoma Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#50 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,181enrollment
  • $20,761net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Oral Roberts University
O
Tulsa, OK

Oral Roberts University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#51 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 4,711enrollment
  • $20,461net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 900-1210SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Texas A & M International University
T
Laredo, TX

Texas A & M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#52 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 8,455enrollment
  • $4,165net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Southwestern Oklahoma State University
S
Weatherford, OK
 

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#53 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 4,648enrollment
  • $13,105net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Tarleton State University
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#54 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 13,995enrollment
  • $15,181net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1