2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Saint Edward's University	2731	83.69	1,040 – 1,230	28351	47743	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Saint Edward's University Austin, TX Saint Edward’s University is a Roman Catholic school, affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross. It’s somewhat selective and boasts a 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. 250 Hilltoppers compete in the Lone Star Conference. Some sports include Basketball, Soccer, and Baseball. Undergraduates 2,731 Acceptance Rate 83.7% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $28,351 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,743
2	Dallas Baptist University	2785	88.84	980 – 1,230	30275	45138	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX Located in Dallas, Dallas Baptist University’s acceptance rate is 89%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. Approximately 89% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. They receive $16,006 on average. The first year retention rate is 64%....Read more Undergraduates 2,785 Acceptance Rate 88.8% SAT Score 980 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $30,275 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,138
3	Western Oregon University	3343	98.71	1,010 – 1,230	15249	42537	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Western Oregon University Monmouth, OR Located in Monmouth, Western Oregon University’s acceptance rate is 99%. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. About 88% of students at Western Oregon University will receive institutional grant aid. On average, these students are given $3,982 each. The first year retention rate is 76%....Read more Undergraduates 3,343 Acceptance Rate 98.7% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $15,249 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,537
4	Oklahoma Christian University	2012	97.07	1,040 – 1,280	21810	43281	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Oklahoma Christian University Edmond, OK Known as the Bald Eagles, there are 392 athletes at Oklahoma Christian University. You’ll also find a Bald Eagle on their seal and sideline, where Eagle cheers them on. 98% receive grant aid, and OC also provides its full-time students with laptops, iPhones, and iPads. Undergraduates 2,012 Acceptance Rate 97.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $21,810 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,281
5	The University of Texas at Tyler	7683	94.02	1,020 – 1,220	14043	49355	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX Based in Tyler, The University of Texas at Tyler accepts 94% of applicants. They charge $60 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 75% of students attending The University of Texas at Tyler will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 7,683 Acceptance Rate 94.0% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $14,043 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,355
6	West Texas A & M University	6930	58.63	960 – 1,160	17182	44399	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Found in Canyon, West Texas A & M University accepted 59% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 62% of students at West Texas A & M University will receive grant aid from the school. 69% of students decide to stay at West Texas A......Read more Undergraduates 6,930 Acceptance Rate 58.6% SAT Score 960 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $17,182 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,399
7	Texas Woman's University	10034	96.13	950 – 1,160	10763	48773	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Texas Woman's University Denton, TX Found in Denton, Texas Woman's University’s acceptance rate is 96% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 61% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 10,034 Acceptance Rate 96.1% SAT Score 950 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $10,763 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,773
8	Lubbock Christian University	1322	75.89	950 – 1,190	25351	46464	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX Based in Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University accepted 76% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $50 for undergraduate applications. About 99% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 1,322 Acceptance Rate 75.9% SAT Score 950 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $25,351 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,464
9	Angelo State University	9779	83.01	940 – 1,170	12518	41050	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Angelo State University San Angelo, TX Located in San Angelo, Angelo State University accepted 83% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 59% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 9,779 Acceptance Rate 83.0% SAT Score 940 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $12,518 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,050
10	Midwestern State University	4508	87.38	950 – 1,160	11798	46637	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, TX Located in Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University’s acceptance rate is 87%. They require $40 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 69% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 4,508 Acceptance Rate 87.4% SAT Score 950 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $11,798 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,637
11	Texas A&M International University	7004	45.96	890 – 1,080	3833	37327	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Texas A&M International University Laredo, TX Located in Laredo, Texas A&M International University’s acceptance rate is 46% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 60% of students attending Texas A&M International University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 74%....Read more Undergraduates 7,004 Acceptance Rate 46.0% SAT Score 890 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $3,833 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,327
12	Texas A&M University-Kingsville	5187	92.29	900 – 1,110	10474	44882	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville, TX Located in Kingsville, Texas A&M University-Kingsville accepted 92% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. About 86% of students attending Texas A&M University-Kingsville currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 5,187 Acceptance Rate 92.3% SAT Score 900 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $10,474 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,882
13	Cameron University	3307	100	850 – 1,040	11094	33447	#13 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Cameron University Lawton, OK Based in Lawton, Cameron University’s acceptance rate is 100% and requests $20 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 53% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 67%....Read more Undergraduates 3,307 Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 850 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $11,094 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,447
14	The University of Texas Permian Basin	4218	93.07	910 – 1,130	10143	50020	#14 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, TX Found in Odessa, The University of Texas Permian Basin accepts 93% of applicants. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 83% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 61%....Read more Undergraduates 4,218 Acceptance Rate 93.1% SAT Score 910 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $10,143 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,020
15	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith	5463	81.47	1,010 – 1,180	10387	35925	#15 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR Based in Fort Smith, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith accepted 81% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 82% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 5,463 Acceptance Rate 81.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $10,387 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,925
16	Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus	4250	91.66	860 – 1,080	6683	33619	#16 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Portales, NM Based in Portales, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus accepts 92% of applicants and requests $100 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 38% of students attending Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus will receive institutional grant aid. At Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus, there is a......Read more Undergraduates 4,250 Acceptance Rate 91.7% SAT Score 860 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $6,683 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,619
17	Western New Mexico University	2630	100	--	8712	31166	#17 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Lone Star Conference Western New Mexico University Silver City, NM Found in Silver City, Western New Mexico University’s acceptance rate is 100%. They request $30 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. Approximately 35% of students at Western New Mexico University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 2,630 Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $8,712 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,166