UH vs. SMU

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

University of Houston
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SMU (63.3% admitted vs 73.9%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: UH. Average net price is $14,309 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: UH 46% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UH $59,000 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of Houston Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
SMU more selective
UH73.9%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
UH1160-1340
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
UH $33,870 less
UH$14,309
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
UH $57,323 less
UH$9,717
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
UH $44,493 less
UH$22,547
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
SMU +29 pts
UH46%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$14,000
UH$59,000
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UH 31,716
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • UH 23,446
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • UH 73.9%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UH 26.5%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UH 1250
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • UH 26
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • UH 3.46
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • UH B+
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • UH Difficult
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • UH Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • UH 1160-1340
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • UH 23-29
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • UH Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UH May 31, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UH $9,717
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UH $22,547
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • UH $11,286
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • UH $14,309
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • UH $12,159
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UH 74%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • UH 46%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UH $59,000
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • UH 61%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UH $19,750
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • UH $204
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UH 22:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • UH
    • Business (30%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • UH Houston, TX
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • UH Large City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • UH 47,980
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • UH Public 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UH #449
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 40.8% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($11,286 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 197.3% higher at SMU than at University of Houston (about $44,493 more per year; $67,040 vs. $22,547).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston than at Southern Methodist University (74% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 208.6% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($37,520 vs. $12,159).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at SMU than at UH (32 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UH and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SMU average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at UH (3.46).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($204 vs. $222).
  • More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 61%).

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

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