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

Lamar University
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L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $10,999net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
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E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in New Mexico

  • 5,386enrollment
  • $6,683net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,517enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Texas Southern University
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T
HBCU
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,469enrollment
  • $15,021net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 800-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Southwestern Oklahoma State University
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S
Weatherford, OK

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 4,811enrollment
  • $14,761net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at El Paso
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T
El Paso, TX

The University of Texas at El Paso

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 24,351enrollment
  • $10,333net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1090SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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