Southwestern University

Southwestern University is a private institution that was founded in 1840. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,483 (fall 2022), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 700 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Southwestern University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #89. Its tuition and fees are $50,858.

With the distinction of being the first institution of higher learning in the state of Texas, Southwestern University prides itself on its rich history that dates back to 1840. Located just 30 miles north of Austin and the much larger University of Texas—Austin, the United Methodist-affiliated university resides on a small portion of 700 acres in central Texas. Students admitted to the college can choose from 40 majors, 36 minors and more than 90 student organizations. Greek life is mildly popular on campus, with about one-third of the student body participating in a fraternity or sorority. First-year students are required to take a two-credit course during fall semester that enlightens them on academic resources and expectations at the university. Students are required to live on campus during their first four semesters at Southwestern but can move off campus once they have achieved junior status. However, more than 85 percent of students live on campus during their college career. Southwestern is a member of the NCAA Division III Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, and its teams, known as the Pirates, compete in 16 varsity sports.

Southwestern University consists of The Brown College of Arts and Sciences and The Sarofim School of Fine Arts. More than half of the student body studies abroad or participates in an off-campus program, with academic and service opportunities in major cities like New York and London and countries like Germany and Jamaica. Civic engagement is a key feature of the university that is embraced by the student body. More than 70 percent of Southwestern students volunteer on campus or participate in service activities around the community. Those interested in music are within a short distance of Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World." Notable alumni of the university include U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas, former Major League Baseball pitcher Mike Timlin and former U.S. Sen. John Tower of Texas.