Top Rated Southwest Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Southwest for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Southwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in the Southwest is The University of Texas at Austin. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Southwest Public 4 year

42 results

The University of Texas at Austin
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T
Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in America

  • 52,384enrollment
  • $17,434net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1500SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Texas A&M University College Station
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College Station, TX

Texas A&M University College Station

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in America

  • 74,014enrollment
  • $20,375net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1390SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
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O
Norman, OK

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 28,308enrollment
  • $22,601net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
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N
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in New Mexico

  • 1,689enrollment
  • $10,429net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Arizona
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Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 49,403enrollment
  • $17,075net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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The University of Texas at Dallas
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Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,570enrollment
  • $13,555net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1430SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Oklahoma State University Main Campus
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O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 25,372enrollment
  • $16,718net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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Arizona State University
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A
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Arizona

  • 80,065enrollment
  • $14,808net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Texas Tech University
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T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 40,378enrollment
  • $17,896net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

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University of Houston
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Houston, TX

University of Houston

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 46,700enrollment
  • $14,056net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

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The University of Texas at Tyler
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Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,322enrollment
  • $13,248net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg 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

#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 21,953enrollment
  • $10,633net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Texas State University
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San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,171enrollment
  • $14,120net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of North Texas
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Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 44,767enrollment
  • $15,283net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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The University of Texas at Arlington
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Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 43,946enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 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

#3 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

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

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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

#10 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 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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Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 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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