When you think of the southwest region, you likely think of Westerns and deserts. However, the region is also home to sweeping vistas, snowcapped mountains, stunning wildlife, and some of the best colleges in the country. The best colleges in the southwestern United States include schools from: Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas.
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.
| Rank | Institution | Undergraduates | Acceptance Rate | SAT Score | Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price | Median Starting Salary | Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice University | 4807 | 8.01 | 1,500 – 1,580 | 23589 | 79751 |
#1
Rice University
|
| 2 | The University of Texas at Austin | 44314 | 22.22 | 1,260 – 1,500 | 17942 | 60896 |
#2
The University of Texas at Austin
|
| 3 | Southern Methodist University | 7545 | 47.64 | 1,370 – 1,490 | 48179 | 65556 |
#3
Southern Methodist University
|
| 4 | Trinity University | 2423 | 24.88 | 1,340 – 1,490 | 32224 | 55224 |
#4
Trinity University
|
| 5 | Texas Christian University | 11152 | 48.09 | 1,170 – 1,370 | 41848 | 60435 |
#5
Texas Christian University
|
| 6 | Texas A&M University-College Station | 60710 | 57.32 | 1,170 – 1,400 | 21437 | 59386 |
#6
Texas A&M University-College Station
|
| 7 | Baylor University | 14183 | 52.22 | 1,210 – 1,400 | 47001 | 56532 |
#7
Baylor University
|
| 8 | The University of Texas at Dallas | 23007 | 69.09 | 1,170 – 1,410 | 14916 | 57249 |
The University of Texas at Dallas
|
| 9 | University of Tulsa | 2852 | 61.5 | 1,220 – 1,510 | 13095 | 54779 |
University of Tulsa
|
| 10 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 25054 | 77.62 | 1,140 – 1,310 | 18574 | 52216 |
#10
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
|
| 11 | Southwestern University | 1431 | 43.48 | 1,160 – 1,370 | 32228 | 49249 |
#11
Southwestern University
|
| 12 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | 8513 | 92.61 | 1,060 – 1,260 | 17779 | 52843 |
#12
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
|
| 13 | University of Arizona | 43294 | 83.51 | 1,060 – 1,320 | 19055 | 47665 |
University of Arizona
|
| 14 | Texas Tech University | 34021 | 69.06 | 1,110 – 1,280 | 16919 | 52588 |
Texas Tech University
|
| 15 | University of Houston | 40366 | 75.77 | 1,130 – 1,320 | 14309 | 52768 |
University of Houston
|
| 16 | Austin College | 1181 | 47.68 | 1,120 – 1,340 | 23462 | 45242 |
Austin College
|
| 17 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | 3229 | 76.58 | 1,160 – 1,360 | 41864 | 65391 |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
|
| 18 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | 23003 | 73.67 | 1,050 – 1,280 | 19561 | 46855 |
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
|
| 19 | St. John's College | 368 | 52.79 | 1,300 – 1,480 | 25209 | 50918 |
St. John's College
|
| 20 | North American University | 484 | 68.62 | 910 – 1,200 | 16303 | 32221 |
#20
North American University
|
| 21 | Saint Edward's University | 2499 | 81.42 | 1,000 – 1,260 | 28766 | 47743 |
Saint Edward's University
|
| 22 | Oklahoma City University | 1546 | 71.03 | 1,050 – 1,270 | 24051 | 42312 |
Oklahoma City University
|
| 23 | Abilene Christian University | 5101 | 66.15 | 1,040 – 1,260 | 28760 | 46727 |
Abilene Christian University
|
| 24 | LeTourneau University | 2903 | 48.79 | 1,120 – 1,380 | 29799 | 51058 |
LeTourneau University
|
| 25 | University of North Texas | 34414 | 70.89 | 960 – 1,230 | 15965 | 46304 |
University of North Texas
|
| 26 | St. Mary's University | 2330 | 95.08 | 960 – 1,160 | 20412 | 44130 |
St. Mary's University
|
| 27 | Oral Roberts University | 5017 | 98.9 | 1,020 – 1,260 | 25808 | 39112 |
Oral Roberts University
|
| 28 | Northern Arizona University | 22203 | 89.61 | 1,010 – 1,250 | 16371 | 47308 |
Northern Arizona University
|
| 29 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | 1066 | 44.49 | 1,080 – 1,320 | 11551 | 54530 |
#29
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
|
| 30 | University of St Thomas | 3466 | 83.55 | 980 – 1,210 | 20599 | 49971 |
University of St Thomas
|
| 31 | Southern Nazarene University | 1473 | 100 | 930 – 1,180 | 23295 | 48255 |
Southern Nazarene University
|
| 32 | University of Dallas | 1416 | 73.42 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 29209 | 45950 |
University of Dallas
|
| 33 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | 31127 | 86.79 | 1,010 – 1,220 | 10959 | 46340 |
The University of Texas at San Antonio
|
| 34 | Texas State University | 39353 | 91.18 | 960 – 1,200 | 15716 | 46716 |
Texas State University
|
| 35 | The University of Texas at Tyler | 8219 | 94.85 | 1,000 – 1,200 | 14476 | 49355 |
The University of Texas at Tyler
|
| 36 | Dallas Baptist University | 2938 | 91.31 | 930 – 1,220 | 30057 | 45138 |
Dallas Baptist University
|
| 37 | University of New Mexico-Main Campus | 18028 | 79.96 | 930 – 1,190 | 6347 | 37150 |
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
|
| 38 | The University of Texas at Arlington | 32545 | 79.9 | 1,010 – 1,250 | 13755 | 60902 |
#38
The University of Texas at Arlington
|
| 39 | Oklahoma Christian University | 2098 | 96.54 | 1,010 – 1,250 | 22391 | 43281 |
Oklahoma Christian University
|
| 40 | Grand Canyon University | 75936 | 78.91 | 1,030 – 1,120 | 22928 | 47280 |
Grand Canyon University
|
| 41 | Oklahoma Baptist University | 1427 | 49.41 | 970 – 1,080 | 23839 | 42581 |
Oklahoma Baptist University
|
| 42 | Sam Houston State University | 17822 | 93.72 | 930 – 1,140 | 14737 | 45337 |
Sam Houston State University
|
| 43 | Prescott College | 223 | 94.51 | 1,020 – 1,260 | 23377 | 33539 |
Prescott College
|
| 44 | New Mexico State University-Main Campus | 13039 | 89.4 | 900 – 1,140 | 10719 | 32960 |
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
|
| 45 | The University of Texas at El Paso | 22223 | 99.94 | 850 – 1,100 | 9305 | 37978 |
#45
The University of Texas at El Paso
|
| 46 | Houston Christian University | 3277 | 86.45 | 980 – 1,220 | 21282 | 44595 |
Houston Christian University
|
| 47 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 29727 | 92.29 | 880 – 1,100 | 5282 | 35812 |
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
|
| 48 | University of Houston-Clear Lake | 6029 | 91.73 | 980 – 1,170 | 14059 | 52098 |
University of Houston-Clear Lake
|
| 49 | University of the Incarnate Word | 4651 | 99.47 | 880 – 1,140 | 23363 | 47625 |
University of the Incarnate Word
|
| 50 | Tarleton State University | 17556 | 53.86 | 1,000 – 1,180 | 16159 | 46729 |
Tarleton State University
|
| 51 | Texas Woman's University | 9962 | 96.58 | 900 – 1,120 | 11636 | 48773 |
Texas Woman's University
|
| 52 | West Texas A & M University | 7110 | 66.81 | 960 – 1,160 | 15572 | 44399 |
West Texas A & M University
|
| 53 | Schreiner University | 1302 | 92.17 | 930 – 1,070 | 22884 | 45527 |
Schreiner University
|
| 54 | Lubbock Christian University | 1383 | 74.73 | 950 – 1,200 | 24544 | 46464 |
Lubbock Christian University
|
| 55 | Stephen F Austin State University | 9905 | 83.39 | 950 – 1,160 | 14959 | 43144 |
Stephen F Austin State University
|
| 56 | University of Advancing Technology | 855 | 98.22 | 950 – 1,180 | 27286 | 39016 |
University of Advancing Technology
|
| 57 | Texas A&M International University | 7210 | 44.37 | 890 – 1,100 | 5644 | 37327 |
Texas A&M International University
|
| 58 | Our Lady of the Lake University | 1108 | 100 | 880 – 1,100 | 16999 | 41195 |
Our Lady of the Lake University
|
| 59 | Angelo State University | 10103 | 79.81 | 930 – 1,160 | 14048 | 41050 |
Angelo State University
|
| 60 | Southwestern Adventist University | 758 | 78.36 | 920 – 1,210 | 20466 | 43643 |
#60
Southwestern Adventist University
|
| 61 | Hardin-Simmons University | 1291 | 86.2 | 1,010 – 1,210 | 19811 | 44392 |
Hardin-Simmons University
|
| 62 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology | 2624 | 58.57 | 800 – 1,040 | 10869 | 44523 |
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
|
| 63 | East Texas Baptist University | 1663 | 73.06 | 930 – 1,190 | 25092 | 41759 |
East Texas Baptist University
|
| 64 | Texas Lutheran University | 1319 | 95.71 | 1,040 – 1,240 | 25119 | 48125 |
Texas Lutheran University
|
| 65 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | 2775 | 97.47 | 1,000 – 1,210 | 27651 | 48368 |
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
|
| 66 | University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma | 1027 | 65.82 | 1,080 – 1,250 | 8070 | 35520 |
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
|
| 67 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University | 4347 | 100 | 890 – 1,140 | 14410 | 42896 |
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
|
| 68 | Prairie View A & M University | 9022 | 78.36 | 850 – 1,070 | 14448 | 36350 |
Prairie View A & M University
|
| 69 | Nelson University | 1526 | 89.02 | 890 – 1,090 | 22359 | 37425 |
Nelson University
|
| 70 | Midwestern State University | 4303 | 93.47 | 950 – 1,160 | 11215 | 46637 |
Midwestern State University
|
| 71 | The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary | 354 | 57.71 | 1,050 – 1,260 | 16497 | 53001 |
The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
|
| 72 | Lamar University | 8387 | 83.53 | 920 – 1,160 | 9814 | 47077 |
Lamar University
|
| 73 | McMurry University | 4133 | 89.84 | 980 – 1,230 | 20723 | 38647 |
McMurry University
|
| 74 | University of North Texas at Dallas | 2953 | 84.45 | 850 – 1,100 | 7586 | 51716 |
University of North Texas at Dallas
|
| 75 | Northeastern State University | 5145 | 99.74 | 930 – 1,140 | 12410 | 41207 |
Northeastern State University
|
| 76 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville | 5386 | 90.92 | 890 – 1,100 | 12812 | 44882 |
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
|
| 77 | The University of Texas Permian Basin | 3991 | 96.54 | 910 – 1,110 | 13563 | 50020 |
The University of Texas Permian Basin
|
| 78 | Texas A&M University-Commerce | 9666 | 74.98 | 930 – 1,150 | 12327 | 43157 |
Texas A&M University-Commerce
|
| 79 | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | 8673 | 91.56 | 980 – 1,210 | 15233 | 42933 |
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
|
| 80 | Mid-America Christian University | 1806 | 91.76 | 930 – 1,010 | 17585 | 39265 |
Mid-America Christian University
|
| 81 | Rogers State University | 3278 | 67.84 | 930 – 1,120 | 15314 | 39324 |
Rogers State University
|
| 82 | Cameron University | 3308 | 100 | 850 – 1,040 | 11320 | 33447 |
Cameron University
|
| 83 | University of Central Oklahoma | 10777 | 78.12 | 970 – 1,180 | 18660 | 43074 |
University of Central Oklahoma
|
| 84 | Texas Wesleyan University | 1796 | 69.16 | 1,020 – 1,100 | 26416 | 44773 |
Texas Wesleyan University
|
| 85 | Concordia University Texas | 1189 | 91.25 | 860 – 1,120 | 24723 | 48058 |
Concordia University Texas
|
| 86 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | 4250 | 91.66 | 860 – 1,080 | 6416 | 33619 |
#86
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
|
| 87 | University of Houston-Downtown | 12441 | 87.9 | 870 – 1,080 | 10832 | 49120 |
University of Houston-Downtown
|
| 88 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | 3224 | 76.43 | 980 – 1,190 | 9075 | 40734 |
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
|
| 89 | Huston-Tillotson University | 1024 | 39.09 | 850 – 1,250 | 20355 | 38342 |
Huston-Tillotson University
|
| 90 | Northwestern Oklahoma State University | 1787 | 65.45 | 880 – 1,080 | 10492 | 39997 |
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
|
| 91 | East Central University | 2976 | 61.81 | 940 – 1,150 | 8565 | 40677 |
East Central University
|
| 92 | Texas A&M University-Texarkana | 1994 | 63.54 | 890 – 1,110 | 12747 | 41785 |
Texas A&M University-Texarkana
|
| 93 | Arizona Christian University | 1382 | 70.62 | 920 – 1,160 | 32514 | 39524 |
Arizona Christian University
|
| 94 | Langston University | 1742 | 0 | 760 – 1,040 | 10496 | 29691 | |
| 95 | Texas A&M University-Victoria | 2627 | 52.53 | 890 – 1,110 | 6754 | 44888 |
Texas A&M University-Victoria
|
| 96 | Texas A&M University-San Antonio | 6790 | 94.47 | 850 – 1,080 | 11568 | 43479 |
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
|
| 97 | Howard Payne University | 751 | 67.37 | 890 – 1,200 | 25750 | 38212 |
Howard Payne University
|
| 98 | South Texas College | 27431 | 0 | -- | 1844 | 28239 | |
| 99 | Oklahoma Panhandle State University | 1021 | 100 | 890 – 1,080 | 7326 | 39089 |
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
|
| 100 | Sul Ross State University | 1890 | 98.71 | 910 – 1,130 | 14454 | 34340 |
Sul Ross State University
|
| 101 | Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City | 4437 | 73.49 | 890 – 1,080 | 6926 | 50742 |
#101
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
|
| 102 | Ottawa University-Surprise | 837 | 78.15 | 880 – 1,110 | 34037 | 49139 |
Ottawa University-Surprise
|
| 103 | Texas Southern University | 6844 | 96.91 | 820 – 1,010 | 13584 | 32986 |
Texas Southern University
|
| 104 | Oklahoma Wesleyan University | 765 | 66.17 | 930 – 1,110 | 27312 | 55700 |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
|
| 105 | Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development | 877 | 97.47 | 780 – 1,010 | 15381 | 20816 |
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
|
| 106 | The King's University | 251 | 60.64 | 870 – 1,130 | 13940 | 30883 |
The King's University
|
| 107 | Southwestern Christian University | 380 | 100 | 850 – 1,010 | 20528 | 34574 |
Southwestern Christian University
|
| 108 | Randall University | 292 | 57.86 | 890 – 1,040 | 19928 | 41012 |
Randall University
|
| 109 | Jarvis Christian University | 577 | 100 | 760 – 930 | 9082 | 27077 |
Jarvis Christian University
|
| 110 | Wiley University | 712 | 100 | -- | 7149 | 28078 |
Wiley University
|
| 111 | University of the Southwest | 346 | 100 | 850 – 1,040 | 17243 | 36600 |
University of the Southwest
|
| 112 | Dallas Christian College | 231 | 21.8 | 810 – 1,070 | 24001 | 39868 |
Dallas Christian College
|
| 113 | New Mexico Highlands University | 1603 | 100 | 850 – 1,040 | 11062 | 38952 |
New Mexico Highlands University
|
| 114 | Paul Quinn College | 620 | 40.28 | 840 – 990 | 12709 | 27021 |
#114
Paul Quinn College
|
| 115 | Wayland Baptist University | 1894 | 54.77 | 930 – 1,160 | 20446 | 44159 |
#115
Wayland Baptist University
|
| 116 | Texas College | 614 | 100 | -- | 10958 | 27901 |
#116
Texas College
|
School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.
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