The Best Value Southwestern Colleges

Best Value Colleges in Southwest for 2024

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in the Southwest based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2024 as the overall best value college in the Southwest is Rice University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $19,902 average net price. The highest value public state college is New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.


76 results

Southern Methodist University
S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 12,053enrollment
  • $45,094net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

St. Mary's University
S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $21,379net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Abilene Christian University
A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#21 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 5,079enrollment
  • $28,978net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

LeTourneau University
L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#22 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 3,536enrollment
  • $26,974net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1380SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

The University of Texas at Tyler
T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 9,322enrollment
  • $13,248net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

Texas Christian University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#24 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 12,273enrollment
  • $44,190net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Texas Tech University
T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#25 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 40,378enrollment
  • $17,896net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

Wayland Baptist University
W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#26 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 2,978enrollment
  • $22,663net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
E
Prescott, AZ

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#27 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 3,162enrollment
  • $38,909net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1380SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Baylor University
B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#28 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 20,709enrollment
  • $45,988net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1410SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Dallas Baptist University
D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#29 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 4,348enrollment
  • $27,607net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Arizona Christian University
A
Phoenix, AZ
 

Arizona Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Value in the Southwest

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

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#31 Best Value in the Southwest

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

Applications Due Aug 24

University of New Mexico Main Campus
N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#32 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 21,953enrollment
  • $10,633net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

New Mexico State University Main Campus
N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 14,268enrollment
  • $10,407net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

University of Central Oklahoma
C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#34 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 12,250enrollment
  • $18,055net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

East Central University
E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#35 Best Value 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

#36 Best Value in the Southwest

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