SMU vs. Texas Tech

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

Southern Methodist University
Texas Tech University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SMU (63.3% admitted vs 72.6%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: Texas Tech. Average net price is $16,919 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: SMU 75% vs Texas Tech 61%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SMU $73,000 vs Texas Tech $58,500 (median).
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Key differences

Southern Methodist University Texas Tech University
Acceptance rate
SMU more selective
SMU63.3%
Texas Tech72.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
SMU1340-1490
Texas Tech1090-1280
Average net price
Texas Tech $31,260 less
SMU$48,179
Texas Tech$16,919
In-state tuition
Texas Tech $55,188 less
SMU$67,040
Texas Tech$11,852
Out-of-state tuition
Texas Tech $42,589 less
SMU$67,040
Texas Tech$24,451
Graduation rate
SMU +14 pts
SMU75%
Texas Tech61%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$14,500
SMU$73,000
Texas Tech$58,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SMU 15,245
  • Texas Tech 34,356
  • Admitted
  • SMU 9,657
  • Texas Tech 24,958
  • Acceptance rate
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Texas Tech 72.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Texas Tech 27.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SMU 1420
  • Texas Tech 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • SMU 32
  • Texas Tech 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • SMU 3.68
  • Texas Tech 3.76
  • Typical high school grades
  • SMU A-
  • Texas Tech A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Texas Tech Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • SMU Low
  • Texas Tech Low
  • SAT range
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • Texas Tech 1090-1280
  • ACT range
  • SMU 30-34
  • Texas Tech 23-28
  • Submit test scores
  • SMU Test optional
  • Texas Tech Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Texas Tech
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • Texas Tech $11,852
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • Texas Tech $24,451
  • Room & board
  • SMU $19,064
  • Texas Tech $10,742
  • Average net price
  • SMU $48,179
  • Texas Tech $16,919
  • Average grant aid
  • SMU $37,520
  • Texas Tech $10,494
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SMU 67%
  • Texas Tech 79%
  • Graduation rate
  • SMU 75%
  • Texas Tech 61%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SMU $73,000
  • Texas Tech $58,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • SMU 76%
  • Texas Tech 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SMU $21,500
  • Texas Tech $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • SMU $222
  • Texas Tech $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SMU 11:1
  • Texas Tech 20:1
  • Popular majors
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Texas Tech
    • Business (23%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Work and Family Studies (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Location
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Texas Tech Lubbock, TX
  • Setting
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Texas Tech Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • SMU 12,116
  • Texas Tech 40,757
  • Type
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • Texas Tech Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SMU #72
  • Texas Tech #448

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Tech University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (40,757 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 43.7% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($10,742 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 174.2% higher at SMU than at Texas Tech University (about $42,589 more per year; $67,040 vs. $24,451).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Tech University than at Southern Methodist University (79% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 257.5% larger than aid received by Texas Tech University students ($37,520 vs. $10,494).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at SMU than at Texas Tech (32 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SMU and Texas Tech.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Texas Tech average a 3.76 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Tech graduates ($222 vs. $232).
  • More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas Tech students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 66%).

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

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