The Best Southwestern Colleges

The Best Colleges in the Southwest for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in the Southwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in the Southwest is Rice University. The top rated public state college is The University of Texas at Austin. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Southwest Public Private 4 year

76 results

Rice University
R
Houston, TX

Rice University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in America

  • 8,556enrollment
  • $20,587net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 3.96Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Trinity University
T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 2,694enrollment
  • $32,264net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1465SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Southern Methodist University
S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 11,842enrollment
  • $45,792net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1480SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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The University of Texas at Austin
T
Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in America

  • 53,082enrollment
  • $18,036net price
  • 29%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1490SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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University of Tulsa
T
Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Oklahoma

  • 3,559enrollment
  • $23,681net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1490SAT range
  • 24-33ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

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Texas Christian University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 12,785enrollment
  • $39,005net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1375SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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

Texas A&M University College Station

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in America

  • 76,633enrollment
  • $21,610net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1380SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Austin College
A
Sherman, TX

Austin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Texas

  • 1,136enrollment
  • $24,777net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Baylor University
B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 20,824enrollment
  • $49,727net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Southwestern University
S
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,457enrollment
  • $30,687net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Dallas
D
Irving, TX

University of Dallas

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,182enrollment
  • $31,221net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1370SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
N
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in New Mexico

  • 1,713enrollment
  • $9,133net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1290SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
O
Norman, OK

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 29,145enrollment
  • $19,900net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Oklahoma City University
O
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 2,763enrollment
  • $23,143net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1233SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Dallas
T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 30,885enrollment
  • $13,464net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1410SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of Arizona
A
Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 53,001enrollment
  • $18,144net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
E
Prescott, AZ

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Arizona

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $41,209net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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LeTourneau University
L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,389enrollment
  • $27,007net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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