Forbes has named Southwestern University to its annual list of America’s Top Colleges. The business magazine honored Southwestern as the #3 liberal arts college in Texas, one of the top four in Central Texas, and the #304 overall institution in the nation, the University’s second-highest ranking since 2018.

Across the publication’s 2026 rankings, Southwestern checked in at #68 in Forbes’ Top Colleges in the South list as well as #163 on their list of best private colleges in the country, including #7 in Texas. Forbes’ America’s Top Colleges list is limited to the top 500 colleges in the United States that “produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.”

In their profile on Southwestern, Forbes highlighted the popularity of the University’s business, psychology, biology, and political science programs. The publication further touted SU as “one of only a handful of undergraduate liberal arts universities that supports a separate school of fine arts.”

Forbes noted SU’s vibrant campus life, stating “the intimate community is bustling, with over 60 student organizations, including Greek life.” Southwestern’s proximity to Austin and its study abroad programs in Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, and London were also highlighted as top differentiators for SU in the rankings.

Southwestern also earned high marks from Forbes for the University’s 83% retention rate, high average grant aid of $32,956, and median 10-year salary among graduates of $111,800.

To rank institutions in their America’s Top Colleges list, Forbes evaluates thousands of U.S. colleges across a variety of degree types, including doctoral research universities, master’s universities and colleges, and baccalaureate colleges, as well as colleges that offer specialized programs in engineering, business, and art.

Forbes then ranks the top 500 U.S. colleges and universities based on academic success, alumni salary, graduation rate, retention rate, return on investment, and student debt. Schools that made the list see students return after their first year, graduate on time, secure high salaries after graduation, and leave with little student debt. Forbes’ full methodology can be found here.