SMU vs. UT Arlington

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Arlington is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (44,956 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting); The University of Texas at Arlington is in Arlington, TX (Large City setting).
• Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; The University of Texas at Arlington 23:1.

SMU vs. UT Arlington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMU or UT Arlington? 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 The University of Texas at Arlington than SMU ($13,755 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Arlington are 41.1% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($11,228 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 461% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Arlington (about $55,090 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $11,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 126.6% higher at SMU than at The University of Texas at Arlington (about $37,458 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $29,582.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at Arlington than at Southern Methodist University (88% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 209.4% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Arlington students ($37,520 vs. $12,127).

SMU vs. UT Arlington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMU or UT Arlington? 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 UT Arlington and SMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 290 points higher than at UT Arlington (1130).
• Incoming SMU students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 23 at UT Arlington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 1340/1490; The University of Texas at Arlington 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 30/34; The University of Texas at Arlington 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SMU - Test optional; UT Arlington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; UT Arlington Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UT Arlington (3.43).
• UT Arlington has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 26.4% at UT Arlington.

SMU vs. UT Arlington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMU and UT Arlington? 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 The University of Texas at Arlington's (40%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than UT Arlington graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($18,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UT Arlington graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($186 vs. $222).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Arlington students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 56%)

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.