SMU vs. UT Austin

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Austin is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (53,864 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 Austin is in Austin, TX (Large City setting).
• Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Austin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; The University of Texas at Austin 18:1.

SMU vs. UT Austin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMU or UT Austin? 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 Austin than SMU ($17,942 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Austin are 22.2% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($14,828 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 473.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Austin (about $55,352 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $11,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.3% higher at SMU than at The University of Texas at Austin (about $22,132 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $44,908.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at The University of Texas at Austin (67% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 174.2% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students ($37,520 vs. $13,681).

SMU vs. UT Austin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 40 points higher than at UT Austin (1380).
• Incoming SMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at UT Austin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 1340/1490; The University of Texas at Austin 1250/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 30/34; The University of Texas at Austin 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SMU - Test optional; UT Austin - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; UT Austin Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UT Austin students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than UT Austin (26.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 47.4% at UT Austin.

SMU vs. UT Austin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMU and UT Austin? 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 University of Texas at Austin's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than UT Austin graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $68,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UT Austin graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Austin graduates ($222 vs. $230).
• More UT Austin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.