Southern Methodist University (SMU) vs University of Tulsa
Southern Methodist University (SMU) and the University of Tulsa (TU) are two esteemed private universities located in vibrant cities with rich histories. SMU, nestled in the heart of Dallas, Texas, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 48% compared to TU's 65%, indicating a more selective admissions process. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with SMU excelling in fields like business, engineering, and the arts, while TU is renowned for its engineering, business, and petroleum engineering programs. While SMU's student body is slightly larger, both universities share a commitment to providing a personalized and engaging learning experience. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two institutions, including graduation rates, student demographics, and additional program offerings, to determine which university best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Southern Methodist University |
![]() University of Tulsa |
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Overview |
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Location | Dallas, Texas | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 82.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | Presbyterian |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 53.1% | 75.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 1340 - 1510 | 1070 - 1370 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | 19.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | 56.0% |
Total number of applicants | 15,685 | 5,958 |
Total number of admissions given out | 8,333 | 4,483 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,572 | 583 |
Yield rate | 18.9% | 13.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $72,336 | $65,806 |
Average net price | $41,986 | $26,341 |
Tuition | $53,464 | $44,238 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,860
Meal plan:
$6,578
|
Room/dormitory:
$7,184
Meal plan:
$6,220
|
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
74.0%
Average amount $34,940 |
99.0%
Average amount $34,473 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
25.0%
Average amount $5,241 |
43.0%
Average amount $5,586 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $29,055 |
13.0%
Average amount $20,841 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,908
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% |
2,728
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
Graduate students |
5,477
Men 52.4% Women 47.6% |
1,104
Men 52.4% Women 47.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 59.4% | 45.9% |
International students | 8.1% | 9.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,403 | 2,614 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Texas California Florida New York Illinois | Oklahoma Texas Missouri Arkansas Kansas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.4% | 73.4% |
Dropout rate | 4.7% | 26.0% |
Transferred out | 12.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Systems Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Operations Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (Master's Degrees)
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
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