SMU vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Tech University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (40,757 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SMU vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMU or Texas Tech? 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 Tech University than SMU ($16,919 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 43.7% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($10,742 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 465.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas Tech (about $55,188 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $11,852.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 174.2% higher at SMU than at Texas Tech University (about $42,589 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $24,451.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Tech University than at Southern Methodist University (79% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 257.5% larger than aid received by Texas Tech University students ($37,520 vs. $10,494).

SMU vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMU or Texas Tech? 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 Tech and SMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 230 points higher than at Texas Tech (1190).
• Incoming SMU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at Texas Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 1340/1490; Texas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 30/34; Texas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SMU - Test optional; Texas Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas Tech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at SMU (3.68).
• Texas Tech has a higher acceptance rate (72.6%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

SMU vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMU and Texas Tech? 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).

• Southern Methodist University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Texas Tech University's (61%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Texas Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $58,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Tech graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas Tech students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 66%)

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.