UH vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

UH vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or SMU? 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 University of Houston than SMU ($14,309 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 40.8% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($11,286 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 589.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $57,323 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 197.3% higher at SMU than at University of Houston (about $44,493 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston than at Southern Methodist University (74% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 208.6% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($37,520 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. SMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 170 points higher than at UH (1250).
• Incoming SMU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at UH).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UH (3.46).
• UH has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 17.8% at SMU.

UH vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and SMU? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than UH graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($204 vs. $222).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 61%)

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.