SMU vs. Texas A&M

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with Texas A&M University College Station in College Station, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas A&M University College Station is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (78,321 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting); Texas A&M University College Station is in College Station, TX (Small City setting).
• Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas A&M University College Station is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; Texas A&M University College Station 20:1.

SMU vs. Texas A&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMU or Texas A&M? 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 Texas A&M University College Station than SMU ($21,437 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas A&M University College Station are 31.8% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($13,008 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 409.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas A&M (about $53,886 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $13,154.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.1% higher at SMU than at Texas A&M University College Station (about $26,916 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $40,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Texas A&M University College Station (67% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 198.3% larger than aid received by Texas A&M University College Station students ($37,520 vs. $12,580).

SMU vs. Texas A&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMU or Texas A&M? 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 Texas A&M and SMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 140 points higher than at Texas A&M (1280).
• Incoming SMU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Texas A&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 1340/1490; Texas A&M University College Station 1150/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 30/34; Texas A&M University College Station 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SMU - Test optional; Texas A&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; Texas A&M Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at Texas A&M (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Texas A&M (57.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 39.9% at Texas A&M.

SMU vs. Texas A&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMU and Texas A&M? 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).

• Texas A&M University College Station's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Texas A&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas A&M University College Station graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Texas A&M graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More Texas A&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 76%)

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.