Lens covers 20 smaller private universities in the South and Southwest, all private. They range from McMurry University (1,176 undergraduates) to Tulane University of Louisiana (7,767). Acceptance rates run from 8% to 99%, and 16 of the 20 admit at least half of applicants.
Smaller private universities here have fewer than 10,000 undergraduates and are not liberal arts colleges or specialized schools (IPEDS, Carnegie). In Lens, the South and Southwest means Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
Open these 20 colleges in the College Filter → Narrow them by cost at your rate, majors, size and more.
The 20 smaller private universities in the South and Southwest
Listed A to Z. Lens never ranks colleges.
| College | Location | Undergraduates | Acceptance rate | Tuition & fees (before aid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian University | Abilene, Texas | 3,195 | 66% | $44,200 |
| Dallas Baptist University | Dallas, Texas | 2,403 | 89% | $40,190 |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene, Texas | 1,283 | 90% | $32,960 |
| Houston Christian University | Houston, Texas | 2,886 | 84% | $39,430 |
| LeTourneau University | Longview, Texas | 1,468 | 38% | $37,160 |
| Loyola University New Orleans | New Orleans, Louisiana | 2,812 | 93% | $49,440 |
| McMurry University | Abilene, Texas | 1,176 | 57% | $32,340 |
| Oklahoma Baptist University | Shawnee, Oklahoma | 1,308 | 49% | $35,570 |
| Oral Roberts University | Tulsa, Oklahoma | 3,487 | 99% | $35,470 |
| Rice University | Houston, Texas | 4,776 | 8% | $64,144 |
| Saint Edward's University | Austin, Texas | 2,493 | 81% | $51,384 |
| Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Texas | 7,277 | 63% | $67,040 |
| St. Mary's University | San Antonio, Texas | 1,951 | 98% | $37,434 |
| Texas Wesleyan University | Fort Worth, Texas | 1,741 | 69% | $39,582 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, Louisiana | 7,767 | 14% | $68,678 |
| University of Dallas | Irving, Texas | 1,403 | 53% | $53,930 |
| University of Mary Hardin–Baylor | Belton, Texas | 2,759 | 96% | $32,020 |
| University of Tulsa | Tulsa, Oklahoma | 2,813 | 62% | $50,061 |
| University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio, Texas | 4,440 | 98% | $37,090 |
| Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans, Louisiana | 2,628 | 69% | $28,733 |
Sources: IPEDS (fall 2024 enrollment and admissions); College Scorecard (published tuition and fees before aid, about 2023–24). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Related lists
- Smaller Private Universities
- Smaller Private Universities in the Northeast
- Smaller Private Universities in the Southeast
- Smaller Private Universities in the Midwest
- Smaller Private Universities on the West Coast
- Liberal Arts Colleges in the South and Southwest
- Large Public Universities in the South and Southwest
- Smaller Public Universities in the South and Southwest
- HBCUs in the South and Southwest
- Christian Colleges in the South and Southwest
- Colleges with Big-Time Sports in the South and Southwest
- Division I Colleges in the South and Southwest
- Division II Colleges in the South and Southwest
FAQ
Which smaller private universities in the South and Southwest admit at least half of applicants? 16 of the 20: Abilene Christian University, Dallas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Houston Christian University, Loyola University New Orleans, McMurry University, Oral Roberts University, Saint Edward's University, Southern Methodist University, St. Mary's University, Texas Wesleyan University, University of Dallas and 4 more (fall 2024).
What are the largest and smallest smaller private universities in the South and Southwest? Tulane University of Louisiana is the largest, with 7,767 undergraduates, and McMurry University is the smallest, with 1,176 (fall 2024).
Where these numbers come from
Lens covers the 850 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges that receive the most applications, so some smaller colleges are not listed. Enrollment, acceptance rates and degrees come from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education, fall 2024); published prices from the College Scorecard. Each college's page lists its own sources. See the data behind Lens.