Southern Methodist University vs University of Houston

This page compares Southern Methodist University and University of Houston across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 38 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 38 applicants admitted to both schools, 82% chose to attend Southern Methodist University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Southern Methodist University is ranked #43 compared to #63 — a gap of 20 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 163, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to Southern Methodist University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Both schools are located in Texas — Southern Methodist University in Dallas and University of Houston in Houston — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

On cost, University of Houston has lower tuition at $31,326 per year compared to $60,844. Combined with employment rates of 97.6% (SMU) and 93.5% (UH), 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 $15,000, a difference of $75,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.