Missouri Southern vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO 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 Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Missouri Southern vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern State University than SMU ($11,626 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 52.2% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($9,119 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 648.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $58,080 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 292.5% higher at SMU than at Missouri Southern State University (about $49,960 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Southern State University than at Southern Methodist University (90% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 393.9% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($37,520 vs. $7,597).

Missouri Southern vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 130 points higher than at Missouri Southern (1290).
• Incoming SMU students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Missouri Southern vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $36,400 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Southern State University graduates have a $669 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($20,831 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Missouri Southern graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($215 vs. $222).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 53%)

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.