Southern Methodist University vs Texas A&M University

This page compares Southern Methodist University and Texas A&M University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 46 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 46 applicants admitted to both schools, 50% chose to attend Texas A&M University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Texas A&M University is ranked #22 compared to #43 — a gap of 21 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Texas A&M University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.1% compared to Southern Methodist University's 24.6%.

Both schools are located in Texas — Southern Methodist University in Dallas and Texas A&M University in Fort Worth — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

On cost, Texas A&M University has lower tuition at $32,634 per year compared to $60,844. Combined with employment rates of 97.6% (SMU) and 100.0% (TAMU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Southern Methodist University offered a median scholarship of $90,000 compared to $51,000, a difference of $39,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.