Rice vs. SMU

Rice University and Southern Methodist University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Rice University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rice (8% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Rice 92% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Rice $86,400 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Rice University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Rice more selective
Rice8%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
Rice1510-1570
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Rice $24,590 less
Rice$23,589
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Rice $2,896 less
Rice$64,144
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $2,896 less
Rice$64,144
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Rice +17 pts
Rice92%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$13,400
Rice$86,400
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Rice 32,473
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Rice 2,597
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Rice 8%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Rice 44.2%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rice 1540
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rice 34
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Rice 3.96
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Rice A
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Rice Elite
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Rice Extreme
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Rice 34-35
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Rice Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Rice $64,144
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Rice $64,144
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Rice $18,100
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Rice $23,589
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Rice $56,199
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Rice 56%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Rice 92%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Rice $86,400
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Rice 87%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Rice $10,227
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Rice $105
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Rice 6:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Rice Large City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Rice 8,961
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Rice #9
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Rice University in Houston, TX with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rice University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rice University 6:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 5.1% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($18,100 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at SMU than at Rice University (about $2,896 more per year; $67,040 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Rice University (67% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 49.8% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($56,199 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Rice than at SMU (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Rice and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $11,273 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($10,227 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($105 vs. $222).
  • More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 76%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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