UNT vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Texas is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (46,864 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Texas is located in Denton, TX (Midsize City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Texas 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 North Texas 25:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

UNT vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNT 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 North Texas than SMU ($15,965 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Texas are 41.3% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($11,194 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 492.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNT (about $55,731 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $11,309.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 217% higher at SMU than at University of North Texas (about $45,891 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $21,149.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Texas than at Southern Methodist University (84% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 260.5% larger than aid received by University of North Texas students ($37,520 vs. $10,408).

UNT vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNT 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 UNT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 310 points higher than at UNT (1110).
• Incoming SMU students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 23 at UNT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Texas 980/1230; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Texas 19/27; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNT - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNT Aug 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UNT (3.46).
• UNT has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.2% at UNT vs. 17.8% at SMU.

UNT vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNT 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 North Texas's (49%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $26,000 more per year than UNT graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Texas graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UNT 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 UNT 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.