UOP vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA 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 UOP based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 6,944 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Pacific is located in Stockton, CA (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• University of the Pacific is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Pacific 13:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

UOP vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UOP 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 the Pacific than SMU ($31,670 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Pacific are 9.8% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,190 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 17.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UOP (about $9,960 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $57,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at SMU than at University of the Pacific (about $9,960 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $57,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Pacific than at Southern Methodist University (98% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Pacific students is 9.6% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($41,111 vs. $37,520).

UOP vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UOP 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 UOP.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 90 points higher than at UOP (1330).
• Incoming SMU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at UOP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Pacific 1183/1480; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Pacific 23/32; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UOP - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UOP Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UOP (3.58).
• UOP has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UOP vs. 17.8% at SMU.

UOP vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UOP 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 the Pacific's (69%).
• Graduates from University of the Pacific earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,400 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $3,125 lower median loan debt than UOP graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,625).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UOP graduates ($222 vs. $254).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UOP students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 70%)

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.