The Best Value Southwestern Colleges

Best Value Colleges in Southwest for 2025

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in the Southwest based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2025 as the overall best value college in the Southwest is Rice University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $20,587 average net price. The highest value public state college is New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.
Southwest Public Private 4 year

76 results

Southern Methodist University
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S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 11,842enrollment
  • $45,792net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1480SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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LeTourneau University
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L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#20 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 3,389enrollment
  • $27,007net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Texas Tech University
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T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#21 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 40,773enrollment
  • $16,773net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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Saint Edward's University
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S
Austin, TX

Saint Edward's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 3,309enrollment
  • $28,351net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1235SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.53Estimated Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Tyler
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T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#23 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 9,678enrollment
  • $14,043net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

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Abilene Christian University
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A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#24 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 5,114enrollment
  • $28,311net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Texas Lutheran University
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T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 1,361enrollment
  • $23,600net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

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Oklahoma Baptist University
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O
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 1,526enrollment
  • $25,099net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1190SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

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Wayland Baptist University
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W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#27 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 2,861enrollment
  • $20,222net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg 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

#28 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $41,209net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Baylor University
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B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#29 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 20,824enrollment
  • $49,727net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Dallas Baptist University
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D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#30 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 4,201enrollment
  • $30,275net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1217SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Arizona Christian University
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A
Phoenix, AZ
 

Arizona Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 1,233enrollment
  • $32,397net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg 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

#32 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 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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University of New Mexico Main Campus
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N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#33 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 22,700enrollment
  • $7,528net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.42Avg 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

#34 Best Value 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 Central Oklahoma
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C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#35 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 12,148enrollment
  • $18,893net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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East Central University
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E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#36 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 3,200enrollment
  • $9,355net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 935-1055SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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