NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University has been ranked the No. 1 public school in Texas.
The newly released 2025 U.S News & World Report Best College rankings revealed SFA has been ranked the No. 1 public school in Texas and the No. 18 in the western region. The school is tied for the No. 1 spot with the University of North Texas.
SFA previously ranked No. 20 in the same regional category in 2023, giving them a two point rise in the western region, which includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
“This prestigious ranking is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” said Neal Weaver, SFA president. “Being named the top 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 over 1,500 schools across the country. Rankings are based on an evaluation of the following factors:
- 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," a statement from the university said. "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."