Southwestern University

Private · Selective · TX

Photo: Matthew Rutledge (rutlo) (CC BY 2.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationTX · South

SettingUrban

Undergrads1,440

Student:faculty11:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate66.7%

6-yr grad rate72.8%

Drop-out rate19.4%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$54k

Out-of-state tuition$54k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity48.7%

Gender diversity54.6%

International2.2%

IdentityUnited Methodist

Overview

Southwestern University, in Georgetown just north of Austin, is the first institution of higher learning chartered in Texas and carries a Methodist heritage that still shapes its values, if not its student body's makeup. It is a small liberal arts college built around close, discussion-driven learning rather than a large or pre-professional environment, and its historic core of nineteenth-century limestone buildings reinforces a strong sense of place and tradition.

Academics

Southwestern's signature is its Paideia program, an interdisciplinary approach that lets students combine coursework across departments around a unifying theme rather than sticking to a single major's requirements. The sciences and pre-law preparation are notable strengths, supported by small classes where discussion, not lecture, is the norm even in foundational courses. Undergraduate research opportunities are genuinely accessible here, not reserved for a small honors cohort.

Campus & student life

Georgetown offers a quieter, small-town setting built around a historic courthouse square, but Austin's restaurants, music, and job market are only about half an hour down the interstate, giving students real access to a major city's culture and internships without living in the middle of it. Campus life is close-knit given the school's size, with Greek life and Division III athletics forming much of the social calendar.

Getting in

Admissions is holistic, with essays and fit for the Paideia program's interdisciplinary style carrying real weight; students who enjoy connecting ideas across subjects tend to thrive both in the application process and in the curriculum itself. Demonstrated intellectual curiosity matters more here than a narrowly pre-professional record.

After graduation

Pre-law outcomes are a particular point of strength, aided by Austin's proximity and a close alumni network in Texas legal and civic circles. Science graduates also have a solid record heading into graduate and health-professional programs, helped by real undergraduate research experience rather than just coursework.

Worth knowing

The Paideia program is a genuinely distinctive academic structure, not just a marketing label, and students should understand it involves cross-disciplinary coursework, often built around a shared theme with a cohort of peers, that differs from a standard major-and-minor path.

southwestern.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate43%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1130–1300 · ACT 26–30

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Early actionDec 1

Early decisionNov 3

Regular decisionFeb 2

Verified from the school’s admissions page ↗

Applying (2026-27 cycle)

Apply through Common App or ApplyTexas.

Financial aid formsApr 1

Southwestern offers a binding Early Decision plan alongside a nonbinding Early Action plan.

Interviews: An admission interview is optional and can be scheduled, virtually or in person, after an application is submitted, as a way to personalize the application.

Verified from the school’s admissions pages ↗