Austin College vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Austin College in Sherman, TX with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Austin College based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 1,217 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Austin College is located in Sherman, TX (Small City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Austin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Austin College 11:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Austin College vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Austin College or SMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin College than SMU ($23,462 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Austin College are 26.8% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($13,951 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 37.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Austin College (about $18,360 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $48,680.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.7% higher at SMU than at Austin College (about $18,360 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $48,680.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Austin College than at Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Austin College students is 0.6% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($37,742 vs. $37,520).

Austin College vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Austin College or SMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SMU and Austin College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 210 points higher than at Austin College (1210).
• Incoming SMU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Austin College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Austin College 1100/1310; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Austin College 23/29; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Austin College - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Austin College Jul 31, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Austin College (3.63).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Austin College (47.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Austin College vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Austin College vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Austin College and SMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at Austin College is the same as at Southern Methodist University (75% vs. 75%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than Austin College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Austin College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Austin College graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.