Top Rated Southwest Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Southwest for 2025

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

42 results

Texas A&M University Kingsville
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T
Kingsville, TX

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 6,562enrollment
  • $10,474net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Central Oklahoma
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C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 12,148enrollment
  • $18,893net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,855enrollment
  • $14,991net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Stephen F Austin State University
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S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,888enrollment
  • $15,498net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA

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Texas A&M International University
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T
Laredo, TX

Texas A&M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,536enrollment
  • $3,833net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Midwestern State University
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M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,573enrollment
  • $11,798net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University
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N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $12,067net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 868-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Texas Woman's University
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T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,664enrollment
  • $10,763net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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The University of Texas Pan American
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T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,931enrollment
  • $6,978net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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West Texas A & M University
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W
Canyon, TX

West Texas A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,997enrollment
  • $17,182net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The University of Texas at San Antonio
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San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,864enrollment
  • $10,831net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Tarleton State University
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T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,937enrollment
  • $15,363net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Angelo State University
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A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,250enrollment
  • $12,518net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Commerce
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T
Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 12,013enrollment
  • $11,902net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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East Central University
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E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 3,200enrollment
  • $9,355net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 935-1055SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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University of Houston Downtown
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,105enrollment
  • $14,269net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Northeastern State University
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N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 6,466enrollment
  • $11,153net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 920-1145SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Southeastern Oklahoma State University
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S
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 5,794enrollment
  • $8,064net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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