SMU vs. UT Austin
Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Austin side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
Southern Methodist University
The University of Texas at Austin
At a glance
- Harder to get into: UT Austin (26.6% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1380 vs 1420.
- Cheaper after aid: UT Austin. Average net price is $17,942 vs $48,179 at SMU.
- Graduation: SMU 75% vs UT Austin 81%.
- Earnings 10 years out: SMU $73,000 vs UT Austin $68,600 (median).
Acceptance rate
UT Austin more selective
SMU63.3%
UT Austin26.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UT Austin higher
SMU1340-1490
UT Austin1250-1510
Average net price
UT Austin $30,237 less
SMU$48,179
UT Austin$17,942
In-state tuition
UT Austin $55,352 less
SMU$67,040
UT Austin$11,688
Out-of-state tuition
UT Austin $22,132 less
SMU$67,040
UT Austin$44,908
Graduation rate
UT Austin +6 pts
SMU75%
UT Austin81%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$4,400
SMU$73,000
UT Austin$68,600
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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SMU My Chances
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UT Austin My Chances
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- Applied
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SMU 15,245
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UT Austin 72,885
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- Admitted
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SMU 9,657
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UT Austin 19,417
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- Acceptance rate
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SMU 63.3%
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UT Austin 26.6%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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SMU 17.8%
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UT Austin 47.4%
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- Typical SAT score
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SMU 1420
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UT Austin 1380
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- Typical ACT score
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SMU 32
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UT Austin 30
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- Average high school GPA
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SMU 3.68
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UT Austin 3.8
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- Typical high school grades
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SMU A-
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UT Austin A-
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- Admissions standards
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SMU Exceptional
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UT Austin Exceptional
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- Applicant competition
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SMU Low
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UT Austin High
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- SAT range
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SMU 1340-1490
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UT Austin 1250-1510
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- ACT range
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SMU 30-34
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UT Austin 27-33
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- Submit test scores
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SMU Test optional
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UT Austin Required
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- Application deadline
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SMU Jan 15, 2027
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UT Austin Dec 1, 2026
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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SMU $67,040
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UT Austin $11,688
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- Tuition (out of state)
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SMU $67,040
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UT Austin $44,908
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- Room & board
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SMU $19,064
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UT Austin $14,828
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- Average net price
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SMU $48,179
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UT Austin $17,942
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- Average grant aid
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SMU $37,520
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UT Austin $13,681
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- % receiving grant aid
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SMU 67%
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UT Austin 42%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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SMU 75%
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UT Austin 81%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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SMU $73,000
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UT Austin $68,600
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- Making student loan payments
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SMU 76%
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UT Austin 77%
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- Median student loan debt
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SMU $21,500
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UT Austin $22,250
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- Median loan payment
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SMU $222
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UT Austin $230
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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SMU 11:1
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UT Austin 18:1
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- Popular majors
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SMU
- Business (22%)
- Social Sciences (16%)
- Communication (11%)
- Engineering (9%)
- Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
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UT Austin
- Social Sciences (13%)
- Communication (13%)
- Business (12%)
- Engineering (11%)
- Biology (9%)
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School basics
- School
- UT Austin The University of Texas at Austin
- Location
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SMU Dallas, TX
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UT Austin Austin, TX
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- Setting
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SMU Large Suburban
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UT Austin Large City
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- Total enrollment
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SMU 12,116
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UT Austin 53,864
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- Type
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SMU Private 4 Year
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UT Austin Public 4 Year
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- National ranking
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SMU #72
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UT Austin #105
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Comparable Facts
Compare Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
The University of Texas at Austin is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (53,864 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 Austin is in Austin, TX (Large City setting).
- Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Austin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; The University of Texas at Austin 18:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Austin are 22.2% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($14,828 vs. $19,064).
- Out-of-state tuition is 49.3% higher at SMU than at The University of Texas at Austin (about $22,132 more per year; $67,040 vs. $44,908).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at The University of Texas at Austin (67% vs. 42%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 174.2% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students ($37,520 vs. $13,681).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SMU than at UT Austin (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at SMU, required at UT Austin.
- Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; UT Austin Dec 1, 2026.
- Enrolled first-year students at UT Austin average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at SMU (3.68).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 47.4% at UT Austin.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UT Austin graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,250).
- Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Austin graduates ($222 vs. $230).
- More UT Austin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (77% 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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