ULM vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Methodist University is larger than ULM based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 8,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, LA (Small City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe 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 Louisiana at Monroe 18:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

ULM vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM 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 Louisiana at Monroe than SMU ($13,648 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 44.6% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($10,554 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 629.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $57,850 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 214.9% higher at SMU than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $45,750 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at Southern Methodist University (95% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 181.3% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students ($37,520 vs. $13,338).

ULM vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ULM 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 ULM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 160 points higher than at ULM (1260).
• Incoming SMU students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at ULM (3.53).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 17.8% at SMU.

ULM vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM 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 Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $27,200 more per year than ULM graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 49%)

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.