Angelo State Earns Princeton Review ‘Best College’ Honor

SAN ANGELO, TX — Angelo State University has again been recognized among the nation’s top institutions for undergraduate education by The Princeton Review, marking the 17th consecutive year the university has earned the distinction.

ASU is featured in the 2026 edition of The Best 391 Colleges, the flagship guide published by Penguin Random House that highlights only about 15% of the nation’s nearly 2,400 four-year colleges. The rankings are based on survey responses from more than 170,000 students nationwide.

"Angelo State University has outstanding academic programs, and the feedback we received about ASU from its students we surveyed was very impressive," said Rob Franek, TPR editor-in-chief. "We are delighted to name Angelo State one of our 'Best Colleges' for 2026 and to recommend it to students searching for their best-fit college."

ASU is one of 14 Texas institutions — and one of only six public universities in the state — to make the list. The university also placed No. 20 nationally in the category of “Happiest Students.”

President Ronnie Hawkins said the recognition reflects the university’s momentum heading into the new academic year.

“To again receive such positive feedback from our students is a great way to start the new academic year," said ASU President Ronnie Hawkins. "But we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to provide our students with innovative and impactful academic and campus life programs that they value so they can be successful and significant in their careers and communities. As we close in on Angelo State's centennial in 2028, we will take a moment to be proud of this accomplishment, and then resume our efforts to 'Lead the Charge' toward an even brighter future for our students and our region.”

Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell also praised the recognition, noting it is based directly on student feedback.

"To be recognized by The Princeton Review for so many years as a 'Best College' is no easy feat - yet Angelo State University continues to earn this achievement time and time again," said Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D. "This recognition is based on feedback from our most important stakeholders: the students who choose ASU and have first-hand experience of the university's incredible atmosphere, faculty, and academic offerings. On behalf of the entire TTU System, I want to congratulate President Hawkins and his team and thank them for their efforts to provide one of the best educational experiences in Texas and across the country."

Among its survey scores, ASU received a 93 for both “Professors Accessible” and “Quality of Life,” a 91 for “Professors Interesting,” and an 88 for financial aid.

ASU is also highlighted in The Princeton Review’s “Best Colleges: Region by Region” feature in the “Best Southwest” section, which covers institutions in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma.