Tulsa University vs. SMU

Should I go to University of Tulsa or Southern Methodist University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Tulsa University or SMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Tulsa vs. Southern Methodist University comparison
University of Tulsa Southern Methodist University College 3 College 4
University of Tulsa Southern Methodist University
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Overview

Tulsa University SMU
Location Tulsa, OK Dallas, TX
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,559 11,842
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #106 #71
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website utulsa.edu smu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Tulsa University SMU
Tuition (In State) $46,932 $57,212
Tuition (Out of State) $46,932 $57,212
Room & Board $11,192 $18,230
Avg Net Price $23,681 $45,792
Avg Grant Aid $39,719 $36,850
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 69%

Admission

Tulsa University SMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,631 15,092
Admitted 3,845 9,240
Acceptance Rate 58% 61.2%
Enrolled % 15.4% 17.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 24/33 30/34
SAT Range 1150/1490 1320/1480
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026

Academics

Tulsa University SMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (21%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Tulsa University SMU
Graduation Rate 68% 75%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,200 $73,000
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,986 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

Tulsa University SMU
% Men 17% 21%
% Women 13% 19%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 56% 65%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 11%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 26% 8%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Tulsa University SMU
% In-State 53% 41%
% Out-of-State 43% 55%

Campus

Tulsa University SMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Methodist University is larger than than Tulsa University based on total student enrollment (11,842 students vs. 3,559 students)

Tulsa University vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tulsa University or SMU?

  • Southern Methodist University is 21.9% more expensive to attend than Tulsa University for in-state tuition ($57,212.00 vs. $46,932.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.9% higher at SMU than University of Tulsa ($57,212.00 vs. $46,932.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Tulsa than SMU ($23,681 vs. $45,792)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Tulsa are 62.9% lower than costs at Southern Methodist University ($11,192 vs. $18,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Tulsa than Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Tulsa students is 7.8% larger than aid received Southern Methodist University ($39,719 vs. $36,850)

Tulsa University vs. SMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tulsa University or SMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SMU or Tulsa University .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Methodist University (1330) is 35 points higher than at Tulsa University (1295)
  • Incoming SMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at Tulsa University (29)
  • Accepted freshman Tulsa University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at SMU (3.68)
  • SMU has a higher acceptance rate (61.2%) than Tulsa University (58%)

Tulsa University vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Tulsa University or SMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SMU and Tulsa University.

  • The graduation rate at SMU is higher than University of Tulsa (75% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn on average $13,800 more per year than Tulsa University graduates after ten years. ($73,000 vs. $59,200)
  • Southern Methodist University students graduate with a $5,486 lower median federal student loan debt than Tulsa University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,986)
  • SMU graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Tulsa University graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulsa University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/