Best Southwestern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the Southwest for 2024

There are 316 colleges and universities in the Southwest enrolling 2,588,946 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, Southern Methodist University, Trinity 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.


316 results

List of the Best Southwest Colleges

Texas Woman's University
T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#55 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 15,958enrollment
  • $11,682net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Tarleton State University
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#56 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

West Texas A & M University
W
Canyon, TX

West Texas A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#57 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 9,242enrollment
  • $17,001net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Schreiner University
S
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#58 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,193enrollment
  • $24,278net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Stephen F Austin State University
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#59 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA

The University of Texas Pan American
T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#60 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 31,559enrollment
  • $8,105net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 830-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

The University of Texas at San Antonio
T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#61 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 34,393enrollment
  • $12,664net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Angelo State University
A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#62 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 10,599enrollment
  • $12,838net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

East Central University
E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#63 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,376enrollment
  • $10,221net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1078SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Northeastern State University
N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#64 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 6,702enrollment
  • $9,669net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 875-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Texas A & M University Commerce
T
Commerce, TX

Texas A & M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#65 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 11,306enrollment
  • $13,025net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 913-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#66 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 5,106enrollment
  • $8,702net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 840-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
S
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#67 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 5,479enrollment
  • $10,004net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 920-1120SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

University of Houston Downtown
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#68 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 14,208enrollment
  • $14,911net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Concordia University Texas
C
Austin, TX

Concordia University Texas

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#69 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,863enrollment
  • $24,761net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Arizona Christian University
A
Phoenix, AZ
 

Arizona Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#70 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,082enrollment
  • $28,755net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Lamar University
L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#71 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 16,803enrollment
  • $11,757net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Prairie View A & M University
P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#72 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 9,056enrollment
  • $12,875net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 860-1050SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1