Tulsa University vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Methodist University is larger than Tulsa University based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 3,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Tulsa is located in Tulsa, OK (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Tulsa 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 Tulsa 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Tulsa are 36.5% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($12,108 vs. $19,064).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at SMU than at University of Tulsa (about $16,979 more per year; $67,040 vs. $50,061).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Tulsa than at Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Tulsa students is 38.5% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($51,968 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at SMU than at Tulsa University (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Tulsa University and SMU.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Tulsa University average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at SMU (3.68).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at Tulsa University vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $5,486 lower median loan debt than Tulsa University graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,986).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulsa University graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulsa University students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 73%).

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