Houston vs. Southern Methodist University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Texas law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Southern Methodist University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 167 vs 163); Southern Methodist University posts the higher first-time bar passage (90.2% vs 88.63%); Houston is cheaper on sticker tuition ($31,326 vs $60,844); Southern Methodist University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.2% vs 92.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Houston | Southern Methodist University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 163 | 167 | Southern Methodist University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.79 | 3.81 | Southern Methodist University |
| Acceptance rate | 23% | 24.6% | Houston |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $31,326 | $60,844 | Houston |
| Non-resident tuition | $46,051 | $60,844 | Houston |
| Median grant | $11,500 | $26,000 | Southern Methodist University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 88.63% | 90.2% | Southern Methodist University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 92.68% | 94.4% | Southern Methodist University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +7.3 pts | +8.8 pts | Southern Methodist University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 92.4% | 98.2% | Southern Methodist University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 27.3% | 38.2% | Southern Methodist University |
| Federal clerkships | 1.7% | 3.6% | Southern Methodist University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Houston full profile · Southern Methodist University full profile · All Texas law schools
FAQ
Is Houston or Southern Methodist University harder to get into?
Southern Methodist University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 167 against Houston's 163.
Which is cheaper, Houston or Southern Methodist University?
Houston is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $31,326 versus Southern Methodist University's $60,844.
Which has better bar passage, Houston or Southern Methodist University?
Southern Methodist University has the higher first-time bar passage, 90.2% against Houston's 88.63%.
Which has better job outcomes, Houston or Southern Methodist University?
Southern Methodist University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.2% vs 92.4%).
Houston vs Southern Methodist University: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), Southern Methodist University leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.