Southern Methodist University vs The University of Texas at Dallas
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, TX. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public university in Richardson, TX. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants and The University of Texas at Dallas about 65%, making Southern Methodist University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,267 a year at The University of Texas at Dallas after aid, and about $40,892 at Southern Methodist University. About 84% of students graduate at Southern Methodist University, compared with 75% at The University of Texas at Dallas. Ten years after enrolling, Southern Methodist University alumni earn a median of about $78,354, against $68,227 for The University of Texas at Dallas.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Dallas, TX
Richardson, TX
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
7,277
21,751
Acceptance rate
63%
65%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.59–4
3.49–3.99
SAT (middle 50%)
1340–1490
1160–1410
ACT (middle 50%)
30–34
24–32
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$40,892
$18,267
Full cost / yr
$85,606
$29,807
In-state tuition
$67,040
$14,644
Out-of-state tuition
$67,040
$40,144
Application fee
$60
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$23,544
$12,814
$30k - $48k
$20,038
$13,510
$48k - $75k
$24,152
$14,030
$75k - $110k
$33,477
$19,892
Over $110k
$58,213
$26,596
Outcomes
Graduation rate
84%
75%
Freshman retention
91%
90%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$65,556
$57,249
Median earnings (10 yr)
$78,354
$68,227
Median debt at graduation
$19,500
$18,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
13%
30%
First-generation students
16%
31%
International students
4%
6%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Dec 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
May 1
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Southern Methodist University or The University of Texas at Dallas harder to get into?
- Southern Methodist University is harder to get into. It admits about 63% of applicants, compared with 65% at The University of Texas at Dallas. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Southern Methodist University or The University of Texas at Dallas?
- The University of Texas at Dallas is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,267 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $40,892 at Southern Methodist University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas?
- Before aid, The University of Texas at Dallas costs about $29,807 a year and Southern Methodist University about $85,606. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Southern Methodist University or The University of Texas at Dallas?
- The University of Texas at Dallas. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,814 there, against about $23,544 at Southern Methodist University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Southern Methodist University or The University of Texas at Dallas?
- The University of Texas at Dallas is the larger of the two, with about 21,751 undergraduates against 7,277 at Southern Methodist University.
- Does Southern Methodist University or The University of Texas at Dallas have a better graduation rate?
- Southern Methodist University has the higher graduation rate, at about 84% against 75% at The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Do graduates of Southern Methodist University or The University of Texas at Dallas earn more?
- Southern Methodist University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $78,354 ten years after enrolling, against about $68,227 for The University of Texas at Dallas. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas require SAT or ACT scores?
- Southern Methodist University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. The University of Texas at Dallas is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1340–1490 at Southern Methodist University and 1160–1410 at The University of Texas at Dallas. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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