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.


76 results

Northeastern State University
N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#37 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 6,466enrollment
  • $11,153net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 920-1145SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#38 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $12,067net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 868-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Oklahoma Christian University
O
Edmond, OK

Oklahoma Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#39 Best Value in the Southwest

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

Oral Roberts University
O
Tulsa, OK

Oral Roberts University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#40 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 5,365enrollment
  • $24,347net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
S
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#41 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 5,794enrollment
  • $8,064net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Southwestern Oklahoma State University
S
Weatherford, OK

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#42 Best Value in the Southwest

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

Angelo State University
A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#43 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 11,250enrollment
  • $12,518net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Concordia University Texas
C
Austin, TX

Concordia University Texas

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#44 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $23,621net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
T
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#45 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 10,855enrollment
  • $14,991net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Texas A&M University Commerce
T
Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#46 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 12,013enrollment
  • $11,902net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Hardin Simmons University
H
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#47 Best Value in the Southwest

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

Houston Baptist University
H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#48 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 4,189enrollment
  • $20,530net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

University of Houston Downtown
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#49 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 14,105enrollment
  • $14,269net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

University of the Incarnate Word
T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#50 Best Value in the Southwest

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

Lamar University
L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#51 Best Value in the Southwest

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

Texas A&M International University
T
Laredo, TX

Texas A&M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#52 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 8,536enrollment
  • $3,833net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Lubbock Christian University
L
Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#53 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 1,589enrollment
  • $25,351net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

University of Mary Hardin Baylor
M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#54 Best Value in the Southwest

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