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, an average class size of 18, and offers courses in 36 areas of study in the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. 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. Southwestern is #1 in Texas and #13 in the U.S. for Making an Impact (2023).  The Princeton Review lists Southwestern as a Best Value College and a Best Southwest College (2023).

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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, including 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 80,000. It has one of Texas' "best historic town squares," and the Williamson County Courthouse serves as the centerpiece of the state's finest collection of late Victorian commercial architecture. 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. 

  Southwestern's location, just 25 miles north of Austin, offers the best of both worlds for its students. The city of Georgetown, with its historic downtown and the flowing San Gabriel River, provides small-town charm and the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas. With its coffeehouses, farmer's markets, and year-round recreation, it's an idyllic college town where students feel immediately at home. Meanwhile, the vibrant capital is renowned for its live music, iconic festivals such as SXSW and ACL, and world-famous BBQ. As a hotbed for tech startups and entrepreneurs, Austin was also recently dubbed the "Silicon Valley of the South" and an "intellectual capital," providing students and graduates unparalleled access to internships, research opportunities, and jobs.

  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. You'll find plenty of things to do around here, from concerts to renowned guest speakers to salsa lessons to a lively pick-up game of frisbee on the green. 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 60 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 excursions. 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 hosts 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.