Best Southwestern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the Southwest for 2024

There are 316 colleges and universities in the Southwest enrolling 2,588,946 students. Explore the list of top colleges in the Southwest below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in Southwest offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

The  Southwest is home to nationally ranked institutions like Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Trinity University and The University of Texas at Austin. The highest ranked college in the Southwest is Rice University and the top rated public state college is The University of Texas at Austin.

Southwest Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

316 results

List of the Best Southwest Colleges

Rice University
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R
Houston, TX

Rice University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 8,672enrollment
  • $19,902net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 3.96Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Southern Methodist University
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S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

Applications Due Jan 15

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Trinity University
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T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,692enrollment
  • $30,038net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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The University of Texas at Austin
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T
Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 52,384enrollment
  • $17,434net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1500SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Texas Christian University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Colleges 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

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

Texas A&M University College Station

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 74,014enrollment
  • $20,375net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1390SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Baylor University
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B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#7 Best Colleges 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

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University of Tulsa
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T
Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,769enrollment
  • $28,087net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1078-1350SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

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Southwestern University
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S
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,483enrollment
  • $31,014net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1355SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Austin College
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A
Sherman, TX

Austin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,182enrollment
  • $24,739net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1370SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
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O
Norman, OK

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 28,308enrollment
  • $22,601net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Oklahoma City University
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O
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,550enrollment
  • $25,235net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1233SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
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N
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,689enrollment
  • $10,429net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Dallas
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D
Irving, TX

University of Dallas

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,328enrollment
  • $27,250net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1400SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
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E
Prescott, AZ

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

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University of Arizona
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A
Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 49,403enrollment
  • $17,075net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Dallas
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T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 31,570enrollment
  • $13,555net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1430SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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LeTourneau University
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L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#18 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

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