Southwestern University

A small, private, undergraduate only, traditional-aged, national liberal arts university just north of Austin, Southwestern University is Texas’ oldest institution of higher learning and boasts one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses. Southwestern enrolls approximately 1,500 students, maintains a student/faculty ratio of 12:1, average class size of 18, and offers courses in 36 areas of study. More than 50 percent of students volunteer on campus or in the community – twice the national average. More than 60 percent of students participate annually in some form of organized physical activity through intercollegiate teams, intramural sports and/or club sports. Additionally, Southwestern has over 100 student organizations ranging in focus from scholastic and student government to special interest and Greek. AS of July 2019, 91 percent of graduates had obtained employment or had been accepted into graduate or professional school within 10 months. The Princeton Review has ranked Southwestern #3 in the country for Impact Schools (2019).

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  Main Campus

  Georgetown, Texas, United States Campus Website

  0 - 5,000 on Campus

  <100,000 residents in Georgetown

  Language(s) spoken on campus: English

  Located in historic Georgetown, Texas, just north of Austin, Southwestern’s serene residential campus occupies a small portion of 700 acres that include the San Gabriel River and areas reserved for biological and environmental research. The Georgetown/Austin area, on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, offers unlimited outdoor recreational activities for Southwestern students. Whether you enjoy horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, cycling, camping or rock-climbing, you will find natural resources are abundant here. Central Texas has almost year-round warm weather that is great for getting outdoors. You will also have access to the state’s best parks, rivers, lakes, Gulf of Mexico beaches, and Hill Country trails and climbing spots. 

  Georgetown is just north of Austin with a population of approximately 47,000. It has one of Texas’ “best historic town squares,” and the Williamson County Courthouse serves as the centerpiece to the finest collection of late Victorian commercial architecture in the state. Georgetown was the first city in Texas to be named a great American main street city, the highest honor bestowed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

  Austin is only a stone’s throw from Georgetown. Aside from being Texas’ state capital and the live music capital of the world, Austin is also one of the country’s top five "intellectual capitals" according to Fortune magazine.

  Southwestern’s small size gives students the opportunity to get more out of their college experience. Our residential campus is full of activity 24/7. From concerts to renowned guest speakers to salsa lessons to a lively pick-up game of frisbee on the green, you’ll find plenty of things to do around here. With most students living in our on-campus residence halls, living-learning communities and apartments, you’re never far from home, class, food or friends. 

  Through Southwestern’s 90 student organizations - including eight nationally affiliated fraternities and sororities - you can connect intellectually, socially, politically and spiritually with students who share your passions and interests. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Create it! The Office of Student Activities can help.

  Our close proximity to the Texas Hill Country means endless possibilities for outdoor excursion. The folks in intramural and recreational activities can outfit and guide you. Or, if you’d rather just take a cardio class or lunchtime pilates, they do that too. 

  If you like music or comedy, Friday Night Live brings nationally touring performers to the campus center. Cinematic Saturdays presents the latest blockbusters at The Cove. Or, step off-campus and discover Georgetown and its festivals, art shows and award winning town square. With Austin just a few miles south of us, opportunities abound for expanding your live music, art, culture and culinary horizons. 

  As for sports, Southwestern has a variety of ways for you to get involved and show your skills. Participate in nationally competitive club sports and intramurals. Have some fun during our late night Robertson Center evenings or ride a pirate bike to the fields to cheer on your favorite Pirate team from the stands or sidelines. Southwestern offers all students access to the on-campus athletic facility, which includes access to weight rooms, an indoor track, a pool, basketball and volleyball courts, and more. SU also host several intramural sports in which ISEP students may participate. Some of the past sports offered are: Grass Volleyball, Flag Football, Ultimate Frisbee, Canoe Relays, Indoor Soccer, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Pickleball, Basketball, Blacklight Dodgeball, O-Ball, Wallyball, Soccer, Sand Volleyball, and Innertube Basketball