by our College Data Analytics TeamRice University ranks #1 of 186 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in the Southwest Region ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 72% six-year graduation rate and $85,572 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in the Southwest Region, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **186** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 186 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Rice University leads the 186 ranked colleges in the Southwest Region, followed by The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston (#2) and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 college in the Southwest Region. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Rice University graduates report median early-career earnings of $75,299. The median student debt is $11,904.
The strong outcomes at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earned it the #2 place in the Southwest Region. Located in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,748, with out-of-state students paying around $43,132. Graduates go on to earn a median of $101,165 early in their careers. The median student debt is $21,988.
Out of the 186 colleges in the Southwest Region in this year's ranking, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #3 spot. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,214, compared with $22,514 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,328 early in their careers. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center students take on a median of $24,889 in debt.
The strong outcomes at The University Of Texas Medical Branch earned it the #4 place in the Southwest Region. Based in Galveston, TX, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,402, compared with $28,011 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,793 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #5 place in the Southwest Region. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates report median early-career earnings of $57,819. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete a degree here.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #6 spot in the Southwest Region this year. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Median early-career earnings reach $64,891. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete a degree here.
Southern Methodist University landed the #7 spot in the Southwest Region this year. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Southern Methodist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. Graduates go on to earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $20,712.
Texas Christian University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete a degree here.
The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center landed the #9 spot in the Southwest Region this year. Located in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,511, while out-of-state students pay about $23,731. Median early-career earnings reach $79,657. Students borrow a median of $20,667 to complete a degree here.
Baylor University landed the #10 spot in the Southwest Region this year. Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $23,928.
Trinity University landed the #11 spot in the Southwest Region this year. Set in San Antonio, TX, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,676. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $57,496. Students borrow a median of $23,314 to complete a degree here.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #12 spot in the Southwest Region this year. Located in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Dallas posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $58,507. The University Of Texas At Dallas students take on a median of $20,531 in debt.
Arizona State University landed the #13 spot in the Southwest Region this year. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,876. Typical student debt is $21,842.
West Coast University Los Angeles came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Richardson, TX, West Coast University Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. West Coast University Los Angeles graduates 31% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,854. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $92,600. Graduates carry a median of $37,140 in student loans.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $27,776. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $89,151. Students borrow a median of $20,247 to complete a degree here.
University Of Arizona came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,834. Graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #17 spot in the Southwest Region this year. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete a degree here.
Texas Tech University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete a degree here.
University Of Tulsa did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Tulsa, OK, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. Early-career graduates earn a median of $62,482. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete a degree here.
University Of Houston did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $57,529. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete a degree here.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #21 spot in the Southwest Region this year. Located in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,304. Typical student debt is $21,632.
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center placed #22 among the best colleges in the Southwest Region. This public school is set in Oklahoma City, OK. Students from in state pay about $7,925 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,714 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $81,828. Students borrow a median of $22,613 to complete a degree here.
Northern Arizona University landed the #23 spot in the Southwest Region this year. Located in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,056. Graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Median early-career earnings reach $50,993. Typical student debt is $22,337.
University Of North Texas placed #25 among the best colleges in the Southwest Region. University Of North Texas is a public school based in Denton, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. University Of North Texas students take on a median of $21,817 in debt.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 186 in the Southwest Region. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
