SFA ranked No. 1 regional public university in Texas by U.S. News & World Report

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University has been ranked the No. 1 regional public school in Texas and No. 18 in the Regional Universities West category in the newly released 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. SFA is tied for the top state spot with the University of North Texas.

In 2023, SFA was ranked No. 20 in the Regional Universities West category, making its two-spot rise a noteworthy achievement for the university and reflecting a commitment to ongoing academic and institutional growth. The western region encompasses 14 states, including Alaska and California, highlighting SFA’s continued excellence on a broad geographic scale.

“This prestigious ranking is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president. “Being named the top regional public school in Texas and advancing to 18th in the western region demonstrates the strength of our programs and our unwavering focus on student success. We are honored to be recognized in this way and will continue to work toward fostering an exceptional educational environment at SFA.”

The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings assess more than 1,500 schools across the United States and are widely considered a leading resource for prospective students. The western regional category includes universities from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

The rankings are based on a comprehensive evaluation of several key factors. These include:

• Academic reputation: Derived from peer assessments and the feedback of high school counselors.
• Graduation and retention rates: A measure of how well schools support students from enrollment to degree completion.
• Faculty resources: Including class size and the student-faculty ratio.
• Financial resources: Assessed by the amount spent per student on academic services and instruction.
• Student selectivity: Based on admission criteria, such as standardized test scores and high school class standing.

These factors combine to create a well-rounded evaluation of institutions that emphasizes both student outcomes and the overall learning environment. SFA’s rise in the rankings can be attributed to improvements across several of these key metrics, reinforcing the university’s commitment to academic excellence and student success.

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