Home to vast deserts, sprawling cities, rugged mountains, and deep canyons, the Southwest is a dynamic and unique region. The area also boasts some of the most unique colleges in the country. While some big names call this area home, too, we are highlighting “hidden gem” schools in the region. These are college that are accessible and have exceptional programs, but you may not have heard of them…yet.
What is a “Hidden Gem”?
To qualify as a Hidden Gem, a school must meet the following requirements:
- Receive fewer than 5,000 applications per year.
- Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students.
- Offer 5 or more unique majors.
- Have a 10% acceptance rate or higher.
For this hidden gems list, we’re including the following states as part of the Southwest: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
2025 Hidden Gem Colleges in the Southwest
ARIZONA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus is located just north of a wildlife sanctuary and the Willow Creek Reservoir. Alumni of the school have gone on to have impressive careers as astronauts, scientists, military members, authors, athletes, and politicians. 93% of attending students receive institutional grant aid ($18,082 on average).
Location
Prescott, AZ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,162
A for-profit school, the University of Advancing Technology offers 25 total degree programs to students. Computer Science is the most popular major, followed by Computer Game Programming, Cyber/Electronic Operations and Warfare, and Game and Interactive Media Design. Students need to finish a “Student Innovation Project” and internship before they can graduate.
Location
Tempe, AZ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
860
Arizona Christian University is a liberal arts college founded in 1960. The school accepts 74% of applicants, has a $0 application fee, and 96% of students who attend will receive institutional grant aid. Business Administration and Management is the most sought after major among attending students.
Location
Glendale, AZ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,082
NEW MEXICO
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology offers over 40 degree programs, the most popular of which are Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Chemical Engineering. A space-grant college, New Mexico Tech has a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 75% first year retention rate.
Location
Socorro, NM
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,689
University of the Southwest only accepts 45.4% of students and it's free to apply. 92% of those attending will receive an institutional grant, which is $6,950 on average. The university has a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 83% of students decide to stay on after the first year.
Location
Hobbs, NM
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,066
Offering up to the master’s degree, 75% of students attending Eastern New Mexico University are undergraduates. ENMU does not charge application fees at either level and the school has a 55% acceptance rate. Over 350 student-athletes compete as the Greyhounds in sports like track, basketball, football, soccer, and rodeo. They can also be eligible for scholarships.
Location
Portales, NM
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
5,106
OKLAHOMA
There are more women than men at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at OCU, where 99% of students receive institutional aid. The school accepts 70% of students who apply. On the field, Oklahoma City University’s Stars are cheered on by other students wearing blue and white and their mascot, a ram named Starsky.
Location
Oklahoma City, OK
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,550
“Educate the whole man,” is the motto of Oral Roberts University. The campus is located by the Arkansas River and is known for its unique architecture. One notable alumni includes Kathie Lee Gifford, and many other ORU students have gone onto impressive careers in music, sports, literature, and media. The school has a 99% acceptance rate.
Location
Tulsa, OK
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
5,051
A bald eagle features on Oklahoma Christian University’s seal, and also serves as mascot and namesake to the OC athletic teams. 96% of students receive institutional grants from the school. They also offer its full time students laptops, iPhones, and iPads, and students can take advantage of IT support.
Location
Edmond, OK
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,537
TEXAS
“Veritatem, Justitiam Diligite” is the motto of the University of Dallas. In English it means “Love Ye Truth and Justice.” The UD Crusaders compete in sports like soccer, lacrosse, track and field, and basketball. 62.4% of the students study at the undergraduate level. The University of Dallas also has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio and an 77% first year retention rate.
Location
Irving, TX
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,328
LeTourneau University got its start as the LeTourneau Technical Institute in 1946 where the classes were almost entirely veterans who had just returned from World War II. It would get its current name in 1989. 98% of students attending today receive institutional grants from the university – an average of $18,687 per student.
Location
Longview, TX
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,536
The University of St Thomas accepts 93% of students and it's $0 to apply. Common majors for students include Registered Nursing, Biology/Biological Sciences, Psychology, and General Studies. 88% of students receive institutional grant aid ($18,727 on average).
Location
Houston, TX
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,588
Interested in any of these hidden gem colleges of the Southwest? Register now for a FREE College Raptor account to see your chances of getting in and approximately how much it will cost you!
Why Should You Consider Going to a Hidden Gem?
Hidden gems tend to be smaller schools that are less likely to be known outside their local area or state. Here are a few reasons why these hidden gem schools should be on your radar:
- They tend to be more affordable, especially where you can get grant aid or participate in tuition reciprocity programs.
- They’re a good option for students who want a smaller school.
- Eight of the 12 schools on this list have over a 70% acceptance rate, meaning they could be easier to get into.
- Seven out the 12 colleges on this list have $0 application fee, so it can’t hurt to apply!
- They have a selection of programs since all of the hidden gems on our list have five or more majors. Many of them have dozens or even over a hundred available.
- There’s at least one in each state!
Why is the Southwest a Great Place to Go to School?
If you like the heat and shy away from the cold, the southwest United States may be a strong choice for your education. Between the mountains and the canyons, there is plenty to explore during your downtime. And if you love studying outdoors, you’ll never run out of opportunities to do so in this part of the country!
The cities themselves also offer plenty of activities from unique museums to zoos to theme parks. And if you are a foodie who loves tacos and other Mexican/Tex-Mex, you’ll love feeding your brain (and tummy) during your study breaks.
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
