Miami vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Miami is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (19,852 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Miami vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Miami or SMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Miami than SMU ($45,397 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 19.9% lower than at University of Miami ($19,064 vs. $23,790).
• Southern Methodist University is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Miami (about $4,424 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $62,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at SMU than at University of Miami (about $4,424 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $62,616.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Miami than at Southern Methodist University (79% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Miami students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($40,992 vs. $37,520).

Miami vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Miami or SMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SMU and Miami.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 20 points higher than at Miami (1400).
• Incoming SMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Miami).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Miami 1320/1480; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Miami 30/33; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Miami - Required; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Miami Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Miami students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Miami vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Miami vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Miami and SMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Miami's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Miami graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $70,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Miami graduates have a $1,654 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($19,846 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Miami graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($205 vs. $222).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Miami students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.