Best Southwestern Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in the Southwest for 2025

There are 316 colleges and universities in the Southwest enrolling 2,648,178 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, Trinity University, Southern Methodist 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

The University of Texas at Arlington
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T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#37 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 43,992enrollment
  • $14,956net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 990-1230SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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New Mexico State University Main Campus
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Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 14,779enrollment
  • $8,353net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 885-1110SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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University of the Incarnate Word
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San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#39 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 7,251enrollment
  • $21,246net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#40 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 21,403enrollment
  • $14,556net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Hardin Simmons University
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H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#41 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,655enrollment
  • $21,321net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 968-1190SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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University of Mary Hardin Baylor
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Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#42 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,520enrollment
  • $29,904net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
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Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#43 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 5,899enrollment
  • $10,143net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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Texas Wesleyan University
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Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#44 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,595enrollment
  • $21,169net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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McMurry University
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Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#45 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,549enrollment
  • $20,817net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Texas A&M University Kingsville
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Kingsville, TX

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#46 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 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

#47 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 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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Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#48 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 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

#49 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 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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Laredo, TX

Texas A&M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#50 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 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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Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#51 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

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Oklahoma Christian University
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O
Edmond, OK

Oklahoma Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#52 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,743enrollment
  • $21,810net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg 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

#53 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 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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Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#54 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

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