Top Rated Southwest Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in the Southwest for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in the Southwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 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.


42 results

The University of Texas at Austin
T
Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in America

  • 53,082enrollment
  • $18,036net price
  • 29%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1490SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Texas A&M University College Station
T
College Station, TX

Texas A&M University College Station

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in America

  • 76,633enrollment
  • $21,610net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1380SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
N
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in New Mexico

  • 1,713enrollment
  • $9,133net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1290SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
O
Norman, OK

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 29,145enrollment
  • $19,900net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

The University of Texas at Dallas
T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 30,885enrollment
  • $13,464net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1410SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

University of Arizona
A
Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 53,001enrollment
  • $18,144net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Arizona State University
A
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Arizona

  • 79,593enrollment
  • $16,401net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 26,043enrollment
  • $18,291net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Texas Tech University
T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Texas

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

University of Houston
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 46,676enrollment
  • $13,738net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

The University of Texas at Tyler
T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

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

Applications Due Aug 24

University of New Mexico Main Campus
N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

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

University of North Texas
N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

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

Applications Due Aug 1

Texas State University
T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

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

Applications Due Jun 1

The University of Texas at Arlington
T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 43,992enrollment
  • $14,956net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 990-1230SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

New Mexico State University Main Campus
N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 14,779enrollment
  • $8,353net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 885-1110SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Sam Houston State University
S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,403enrollment
  • $14,556net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 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

#11 Best Public Universities in Texas

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

Applications Due Aug 23