the "Surfing Steve" statue at Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F. Austin State University has been ranked No. 2 in a list of “hidden gem” universities in Texas by College Gazette for its academic programs, focus on student success and school spirit.


NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University has been ranked No. 2 in a list of “hidden gem” universities in Texas by College Gazette for its outstanding academic programs, focus on student success and school spirit.

College Gazette ranks schools based on articles and other media, striving to help students find the best fit for their educational needs. SFA attained its high ranking for a number of programs, including its forestry and nursing programs, and its state-of-the-art academic buildings and workspaces like the Early Childhood Research Center and the Cole STEM Building.

SFA’s forestry program is nationally recognized in a large part due to the learning and living environment at the university, said Dr. Hans Williams, dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.

“There is no better place to learn about forest resource management than at SFA, located right in the heart of the forest and water resources of Texas,” Williams said.

The Early Childhood Research Center houses SFA’s open-access charter elementary school, early childhood lab school and Department of Education Studies. This promotes professional contributions and experiences among the highly credentialed faculty members, mentors and coaches for the educator preparation students, as well as the infants and toddlers in the lab school and children in the charter elementary school.

“It is a remarkable blending of academic and pedagogic research and teaching focused on pre-K-16 learning,” said Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of the James I. Perkins College of Education.

To learn more about SFA and its academic programs, visit sfasu.edu.