SMU vs. UTSA

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at San Antonio is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (35,770 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 San Antonio is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; The University of Texas at San Antonio 24:1.

SMU vs. UTSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMU or UTSA? 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 San Antonio than SMU ($10,959 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at San Antonio are 21.8% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($14,912 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 644% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTSA (about $58,029 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $9,011.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 204% higher at SMU than at The University of Texas at San Antonio (about $44,989 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $22,051.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at San Antonio than at Southern Methodist University (76% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 231.1% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at San Antonio students ($37,520 vs. $11,332).

SMU vs. UTSA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 310 points higher than at UTSA (1110).
• Incoming SMU students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 22 at UTSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 1340/1490; The University of Texas at San Antonio 1000/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 30/34; The University of Texas at San Antonio 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SMU - Test optional; UTSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; UTSA Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UTSA (3.36).
• UTSA has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 27.1% at UTSA.

SMU vs. UTSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMU and UTSA? 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 San Antonio's (27%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $25,100 more per year than UTSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $47,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $1,483 lower median loan debt than UTSA graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,983).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTSA graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTSA students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 55%)

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.