SMU vs. UT Dallas

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Dallas is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (29,886 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 Dallas is in Richardson, TX (Small City setting).
• Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; The University of Texas at Dallas 23:1.

SMU vs. UT Dallas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMU or UT Dallas? 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 Dallas than SMU ($14,916 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Dallas are 24.3% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($14,430 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 357.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Dallas (about $52,396 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $14,644.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67% higher at SMU than at The University of Texas at Dallas (about $26,896 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $40,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at The University of Texas at Dallas (67% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 151.7% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Dallas students ($37,520 vs. $14,909).

SMU vs. UT Dallas Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 130 points higher than at UT Dallas (1290).
• Incoming SMU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at UT Dallas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 1340/1490; The University of Texas at Dallas 1160/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 30/34; The University of Texas at Dallas 24/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SMU - Test optional; UT Dallas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; UT Dallas May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Dallas students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at SMU (3.68).
• UT Dallas has a higher acceptance rate (65.1%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 20.3% at UT Dallas.

SMU vs. UT Dallas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMU and UT Dallas? 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 Dallas's (61%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than UT Dallas graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Dallas graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UT Dallas graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Dallas students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 64%)

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.