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

Houston Baptist University
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H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#37 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 4,257enrollment
  • $19,515net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Hardin Simmons University
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H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#38 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,765enrollment
  • $22,636net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1198SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

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University of Mary Hardin Baylor
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M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#39 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 3,575enrollment
  • $31,197net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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University of Central Oklahoma
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C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#40 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 12,250enrollment
  • $18,055net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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Oklahoma Baptist University
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O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#41 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 1,399enrollment
  • $24,672net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Texas A&M University Kingsville
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T
Kingsville, TX

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#42 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 6,092enrollment
  • $11,347net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
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T
Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#43 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 5,848enrollment
  • $10,370net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 910-1090SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

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Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#44 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

#45 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

Applications Due Jul 1

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Southwestern Oklahoma State University
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S
Weatherford, OK

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#46 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

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New Mexico State University Main Campus
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N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#47 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

#48 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

#49 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 5,784enrollment
  • $11,361net price
  • 92%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

#50 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,537enrollment
  • $20,237net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

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University of the Incarnate Word
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T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#51 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 7,305enrollment
  • $20,832net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 910-1133SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg 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

#52 Best Colleges in the Southwest

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

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Texas Wesleyan University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#53 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 2,578enrollment
  • $15,652net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Oral Roberts University
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O
Tulsa, OK

Oral Roberts University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#54 Best Colleges in the Southwest

  • 5,051enrollment
  • $22,360net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1240SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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