SMU vs. UT Dallas
Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
Southern Methodist University
The University of Texas at Dallas
At a glance
- Harder to get into: SMU (63.3% admitted vs 65.1%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1290.
- Cheaper after aid: UT Dallas. Average net price is $14,916 vs $48,179 at SMU.
- Graduation: SMU 75% vs UT Dallas 61%.
- Earnings 10 years out: SMU $73,000 vs UT Dallas $59,000 (median).
Acceptance rate
SMU more selective
SMU63.3%
UT Dallas65.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
SMU1340-1490
UT Dallas1160-1410
Average net price
UT Dallas $33,263 less
SMU$48,179
UT Dallas$14,916
In-state tuition
UT Dallas $52,396 less
SMU$67,040
UT Dallas$14,644
Out-of-state tuition
UT Dallas $26,896 less
SMU$67,040
UT Dallas$40,144
Graduation rate
SMU +14 pts
SMU75%
UT Dallas61%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$14,000
SMU$73,000
UT Dallas$59,000
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 Dallas My Chances
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- Applied
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SMU 15,245
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UT Dallas 31,789
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- Admitted
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SMU 9,657
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UT Dallas 20,704
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- Acceptance rate
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SMU 63.3%
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UT Dallas 65.1%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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SMU 17.8%
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UT Dallas 20.3%
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- Typical SAT score
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SMU 1420
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UT Dallas 1290
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- Typical ACT score
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SMU 32
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UT Dallas 28
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- Average high school GPA
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SMU 3.68
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UT Dallas 3.78
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- Typical high school grades
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SMU A-
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UT Dallas A-
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- Admissions standards
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SMU Exceptional
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UT Dallas Very High
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- Applicant competition
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SMU Low
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UT Dallas Low
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- SAT range
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SMU 1340-1490
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UT Dallas 1160-1410
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- ACT range
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SMU 30-34
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UT Dallas 24-32
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- Submit test scores
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SMU Test optional
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UT Dallas Test optional
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- Application deadline
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SMU Jan 15, 2027
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UT Dallas May 1, 2027
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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SMU $67,040
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UT Dallas $14,644
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- Tuition (out of state)
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SMU $67,040
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UT Dallas $40,144
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- Room & board
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SMU $19,064
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UT Dallas $14,430
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- Average net price
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SMU $48,179
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UT Dallas $14,916
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- Average grant aid
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SMU $37,520
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UT Dallas $14,909
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- % receiving grant aid
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SMU 67%
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UT Dallas 64%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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SMU 75%
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UT Dallas 61%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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SMU $73,000
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UT Dallas $59,000
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- Making student loan payments
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SMU 76%
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UT Dallas 64%
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- Median student loan debt
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SMU $21,500
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UT Dallas $18,750
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- Median loan payment
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SMU $222
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UT Dallas $193
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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SMU 11:1
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UT Dallas 23:1
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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 Dallas
- Business (32%)
- Biology (10%)
- Psychology (9%)
- Social Sciences (9%)
- General Studies (8%)
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School basics
- School
- UT Dallas The University of Texas at Dallas
- Location
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SMU Dallas, TX
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UT Dallas Richardson, TX
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- Setting
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SMU Large Suburban
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UT Dallas Small City
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- Total enrollment
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SMU 12,116
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UT Dallas 29,886
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- Type
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SMU Private 4 Year
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UT Dallas Public 4 Year
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- National ranking
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SMU #72
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UT Dallas #242
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Comparable Facts
Compare Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
The University of Texas at Dallas is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (29,886 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 Dallas is in Richardson, TX (Small City setting).
- Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; The University of Texas at Dallas 23:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Dallas are 24.3% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($14,430 vs. $19,064).
- Out-of-state tuition is 67% higher at SMU than at The University of Texas at Dallas (about $26,896 more per year; $67,040 vs. $40,144).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at The University of Texas at Dallas (67% vs. 64%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 151.7% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Dallas students ($37,520 vs. $14,909).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at SMU than at UT Dallas (32 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SMU and UT Dallas.
- Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; UT Dallas May 1, 2027.
- Enrolled first-year students at UT Dallas average a 3.78 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at SMU (3.68).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 20.3% at UT Dallas.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Dallas graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,500).
- Among borrowers, UT Dallas graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($193 vs. $222).
- More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Dallas students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 64%).
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
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