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

McMurry University
M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#55 Best Value in the Southwest

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

Applications Due Aug 15

Midwestern State University
M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#56 Best Value in the Southwest

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

University of North Texas
N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#57 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 47,507enrollment
  • $14,675net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio
O
San Antonio, TX

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#58 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 2,096enrollment
  • $17,961net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 890-1070SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

The University of Texas Pan American
T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#59 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 31,931enrollment
  • $6,978net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Prairie View A & M University
P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#60 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 9,517enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Sam Houston State University
S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#61 Best Value 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

Schreiner University
S
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#62 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 1,208enrollment
  • $21,786net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

St. Mary's University
S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#63 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 3,411enrollment
  • $20,562net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Southwestern Assemblies of God University
S
Waxahachie, TX

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#64 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 1,725enrollment
  • $19,834net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 926-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Stephen F Austin State University
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#65 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 10,888enrollment
  • $15,498net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA

Texas State University
T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#66 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 38,722enrollment
  • $15,307net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Tarleton State University
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#67 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 15,937enrollment
  • $15,363net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Texas A&M University Kingsville
T
Kingsville, TX

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#68 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 6,562enrollment
  • $10,474net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

The University of Texas at Arlington
T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#69 Best Value 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

The University of Texas at El Paso
T
El Paso, TX

The University of Texas at El Paso

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#70 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 24,351enrollment
  • $10,333net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1090SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#71 Best Value in the Southwest

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

Applications Due Aug 23

The University of Texas at San Antonio
T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#72 Best Value in the Southwest

  • 34,864enrollment
  • $10,831net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1