Southern Methodist University vs. Texas: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Texas law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Texas is the more selective admit (median LSAT 172 vs 167); Texas posts the higher first-time bar passage (95.86% vs 90.2%); Texas is cheaper on sticker tuition ($38,236 vs $60,844); Texas places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (99.4% vs 98.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Southern Methodist University | Texas | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 167 | 172 | Texas |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.81 | 3.89 | Texas |
| Acceptance rate | 24.6% | 14% | Texas |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $60,844 | $38,236 | Texas |
| Non-resident tuition | $60,844 | $56,822 | Texas |
| Median grant | $26,000 | $23,375 | Southern Methodist University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 90.2% | 95.86% | Texas |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 94.4% | 96.47% | Texas |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +8.8 pts | +14.3 pts | Texas |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 98.2% | 99.4% | Texas |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 38.2% | 40.9% | Texas |
| Federal clerkships | 3.6% | 14.3% | Texas |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Southern Methodist University full profile · Texas full profile · All Texas law schools
FAQ
Is Southern Methodist University or Texas harder to get into?
Texas is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 172 against Southern Methodist University's 167.
Which is cheaper, Southern Methodist University or Texas?
Texas is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $38,236 versus Southern Methodist University's $60,844.
Which has better bar passage, Southern Methodist University or Texas?
Texas has the higher first-time bar passage, 95.86% against Southern Methodist University's 90.2%.
Which has better job outcomes, Southern Methodist University or Texas?
Texas places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (99.4% vs 98.2%).
Southern Methodist University vs Texas: 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), Texas 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.