Head-to-head · 11 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 100% chose SMU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 11 self-reported decisions and ABA 509 filings.
Choice, not ranking
These are decisions, not opinions. Scholarship offers, location, intended practice, and personal fit are all priced into the split.
Cross-admit decision
Chose SMU
Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025
per yearCross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award
View all-time (35 cross-admits)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA Employment
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Overview
About SMU vs Tulane University
Across 11 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 100% enrolled at Southern Methodist University and 0% at Tulane University.
These numbers reflect every factor that goes into a real decision: scholarship offers, geographic preference, intended practice area, and fit. Choosing one school doesn't mean it's "better" — it means the pool of cross-admits, weighing their options, ended up there more often. Pair this with the scholarship distribution and employment outcomes above for full context.
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Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Southern Methodist University and Tulane University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Southern Methodist University is ranked #42 compared to #70 — a gap of 28 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Southern Methodist University has a median LSAT of 167 compared to 161, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to Southern Methodist University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Southern Methodist University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 24.6% compared to Tulane University's 40.0%.
Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, Texas, while Tulane University is in New Orleans, Louisiana. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.
Employment outcomes differ substantially: Southern Methodist University places 33.8% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 19.2% for the other school. This 15 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
On cost, Southern Methodist University has lower tuition at $60,844 per year compared to $69,578. Combined with employment rates of 98.2% (SMU) and 90.7% (Tulane University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
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