SMU vs. UT Arlington

Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Arlington side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Southern Methodist University
The University of Texas at Arlington

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SMU (63.3% admitted vs 79.9%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1130.
  • Cheaper after aid: UT Arlington. Average net price is $13,755 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: SMU 75% vs UT Arlington 40%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SMU $73,000 vs UT Arlington $51,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Southern Methodist University The University of Texas at Arlington
Acceptance rate
SMU more selective
SMU63.3%
UT Arlington79.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
SMU1340-1490
UT Arlington1010-1240
Average net price
UT Arlington $34,424 less
SMU$48,179
UT Arlington$13,755
In-state tuition
UT Arlington $55,090 less
SMU$67,040
UT Arlington$11,950
Out-of-state tuition
UT Arlington $37,458 less
SMU$67,040
UT Arlington$29,582
Graduation rate
SMU +35 pts
SMU75%
UT Arlington40%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$21,300
SMU$73,000
UT Arlington$51,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at SMU and UT Arlington with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at SMU Check my chances at UT Arlington
  • Applied
  • SMU 15,245
  • UT Arlington 24,623
  • Admitted
  • SMU 9,657
  • UT Arlington 19,675
  • Acceptance rate
  • SMU 63.3%
  • UT Arlington 79.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SMU 17.8%
  • UT Arlington 26.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SMU 1420
  • UT Arlington 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • SMU 32
  • UT Arlington 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • SMU 3.68
  • UT Arlington 3.43
  • Typical high school grades
  • SMU A-
  • UT Arlington B+
  • Admissions standards
  • SMU Exceptional
  • UT Arlington Average
  • Applicant competition
  • SMU Low
  • UT Arlington
  • SAT range
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • UT Arlington 1010-1240
  • ACT range
  • SMU 30-34
  • UT Arlington 19-27
  • Submit test scores
  • SMU Test optional
  • UT Arlington Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • UT Arlington Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • UT Arlington $11,950
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • UT Arlington $29,582
  • Room & board
  • SMU $19,064
  • UT Arlington $11,228
  • Average net price
  • SMU $48,179
  • UT Arlington $13,755
  • Average grant aid
  • SMU $37,520
  • UT Arlington $12,127
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SMU 67%
  • UT Arlington 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • SMU 75%
  • UT Arlington 40%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SMU $73,000
  • UT Arlington $51,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • SMU 76%
  • UT Arlington 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SMU $21,500
  • UT Arlington $18,000
  • Median loan payment
  • SMU $222
  • UT Arlington $186
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SMU 11:1
  • UT Arlington 23:1
  • Popular majors
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • UT Arlington
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (18%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Engineering (5%)
  • Location
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • UT Arlington Arlington, TX
  • Setting
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • UT Arlington Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • SMU 12,116
  • UT Arlington 44,956
  • Type
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • UT Arlington Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SMU #72
  • UT Arlington #687

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Arlington is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (44,956 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting); The University of Texas at Arlington is in Arlington, TX (Large City setting).
  • Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; The University of Texas at Arlington 23:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Arlington are 41.1% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($11,228 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 126.6% higher at SMU than at The University of Texas at Arlington (about $37,458 more per year; $67,040 vs. $29,582).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at Arlington than at Southern Methodist University (88% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 209.4% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Arlington students ($37,520 vs. $12,127).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 9 points higher at SMU than at UT Arlington (32 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SMU and UT Arlington.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; UT Arlington Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SMU average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at UT Arlington (3.43).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 26.4% at UT Arlington.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($18,000 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, UT Arlington graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($186 vs. $222).
  • More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Arlington students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 56%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Southern Methodist University
The University of Texas at Arlington
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges