Top Rated Southwest Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Southwest for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Southwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 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.


42 results

Sam Houston State University
S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,480enrollment
  • $13,632net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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

Texas A & M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,778enrollment
  • $15,181net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 982-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Southwestern Oklahoma State University
S
Weatherford, OK

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 4,777enrollment
  • $13,699net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

New Mexico State University Main Campus
N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in New Mexico

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

Texas A & M International University
T
Laredo, TX

Texas A & M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,505enrollment
  • $5,383net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Midwestern State University
M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,784enrollment
  • $11,361net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $10,448net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 830-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Texas Woman's University
T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 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

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 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

#18 Best Public Universities in Texas

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

Applications Due Aug 1

Stephen F Austin State University
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 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

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 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

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 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

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 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

#6 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 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

#7 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 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

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 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

#4 Best Public Universities in New Mexico

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

Applications Due Aug 24