The campus of Stephen F. Austin State University is quite a sight to behold. Yes, I am biased, but even when you ask non-SFA people about the look of the university, they'll tell you that the SFA campus is gorgeous. The gardens, the walks, the buildings, etc. It all makes for a pleasing view. Again, I know that I'm biased, but other "non-Lumberjack" people agree! And, while the views are great, the academics are just as good! Whether you're talking about forestry, nursing, education, mass media, etc. - these add onto SFA's greatness! Then, there's the sports...so much good there, always lighting up the Steen Towers in purple after a win!

And now, according to a new list from College Gazette, it's part of the "Top 10 Best 'Hidden Gem' Universities in Texas". Actually, if we want to be more precise, it made it into the top three. Yes, SFA was ranked as the #2 best hidden gem university in Texas. This was what College Gazette had to say about SFA:

Originally a teacher’s college, this state university is now home to a number of incredible programs, including a top forestry degree and excellent nursing program. SFA is located in Nacogdoches, a small town surrounded by national forests.

Although there is a small town environment, this university is also home to an advanced early childhood research center as well as a brand-new STEM center.

This school is very friendly with incredible school spirit – students are always proud to support the Lumberjacks on the field, with 17 division I sports teams.

The campus is very walkable, and there are plenty of dining options on and off campus. It’s also a great choice for anyone who loves outdoor activities, with multiple national forests and plenty of large bodies of water nearby.

The school to take the #1 spot on the list was Texas Women's University in Denton. To give you an idea of what other schools made the cut, here's the complete ranking:

  1. Texas Women's University (Denton, TX)
  2. Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX)
  3. Abilene Christian University (Abilene, TX)
  4. University of Texas-Tyler (Tyler, TX)
  5. University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio and Alamo Heights, TX)
  6. Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, TX)
  7. Lamar University (Beaumont, TX)
  8. Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX)
  9. West Texas A&M (Canyon, TX)
  10. Angelo State University (San Angelo, TX)

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