Is UT or SMU better?

Neither UT (University of Texas at Austin) nor SMU (Southern Methodist University) is definitively "better"; they offer different strengths, with UT often seen as a large, highly-ranked public research university with vast resources, while SMU is a smaller private school known for strong connections, especially in business (Cox School), a more intimate campus feel, and strong placement in Dallas-Fort Worth. Your best choice depends on your priorities: UT for big-school research/diversity/lower in-state cost, SMU for smaller classes/strong Dallas networking/private school feel, notes Dallas News.

Is SMU or ut a better school?

When comparing UT Austin and SMU, there are several factors to consider. Academics: Both UT Austin and SMU offer strong academic programs, but UT generally has a higher overall ranking and a broader range of disciplines. However, the specific strength of the programs you're interested in should be your primary concern.

Is SMU considered a prestigious university?

SMU alumni are among the most influential leaders in the U.S., according to TIME Magazine's 2026 “Best Colleges for Future Leaders” list. The University was recognized as one of 125 top national institutions shaping high achievers across business, politics, science, academia, the creative industries and more.

Is UT Austin the Harvard of the South?

UT Austin isn't officially the "Harvard of the South," but it's often called that or a "Public Ivy" due to its strong academics, highly-ranked programs (especially Engineering & Business), national prestige (even being named a "New Ivy" by Forbes), and large, well-funded research environment, offering Ivy-caliber education at a more accessible public university cost, though it's huge and less selective than true Ivies.
 

Which is better, UT or Texas A&M?

Neither UT Austin nor Texas A&M is objectively "better," as the choice depends on a student's goals, academic interests, and desired campus environment, with UT often favored for tech/business and A&M for engineering/agriculture/military ties, though both are excellent universities with strong programs and distinct cultures. UT is typically ranked higher overall and strong in tech/liberal arts; A&M excels in engineering, vet med, and has a unique, tight-knit community with strong traditions like the Corps of Cadets. 

The Only College Degrees Still Worth It in 2026

Is UT Austin becoming an ivy?

Yes, UT Austin is considered one of the "New Ivies" by Forbes in recent reports, recognizing it as a top-tier public university that attracts high-achieving students and produces sought-after graduates, similar to traditional Ivies but with a focus on public institutions. This distinction highlights its strong academics, selectivity, and impact, building on its long-standing reputation as a "Public Ivy".
 

Is A&M or UT harder to get into?

It's generally harder to get into the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) than Texas A&M University (TAMU), with UT Austin being significantly more selective due to lower acceptance rates (around 31-39%) compared to A&M's higher rates (around 60-67%), though A&M's STEM programs are very competitive and its top 10% rule (now 25% for auto-admit) makes it tough for non-auto-admits. UT Austin is considered one of the hardest public universities to get into in Texas, while A&M is selective but more accessible overall. 

Is UT Austin a little ivy?

The Public Ivies was a term coined by Richard Moll in this 1985 book, The Public Ivys: A Guide to America's Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities. UT Austin is one of the original 15 schools named in that book, and is still considered a Public Ivy to this day.

Is it harder to get into UCLA or UT Austin?

It's generally harder to get into UCLA because it has a significantly lower acceptance rate (around 9%) compared to UT Austin (around 27%), making UCLA more selective overall, though UT Austin is very competitive, especially for popular majors like Computer Science or Engineering due to Texas's 90% in-state rule and rising applicant numbers. 

Is smu Ivy League?

While discussions of a Southern Ivy League persisted, often including Duke, Rice, Southern Methodist, Tulane, and Vanderbilt, the conference never materialized, and by the early 1960s, the plan had been retired.

Why is SMU so popular?

SMU (Southern Methodist University) is popular due to its prime Dallas location offering huge career/cultural access, strong academics (especially business/engineering), vibrant campus life with major D1 athletics, a powerful alumni network opening career doors, and a beautiful campus that blends a traditional college feel with big-city opportunities. It's seen as a prestigious private university providing a "quintessential college experience" with real-world connections.
 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Which of the Kardashians went to SMU?

Only Kourtney Kardashian went to Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas for her freshman year of college in 1998, before transferring to the University of Arizona to complete her degree. She shared throwback photos from her time at SMU on social media, recalling being homesick and how her mom visited her there. 

What is the #1 party university?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is widely ranked as the #1 party college in the U.S., according to Niche data, holding onto the top spot from the previous year, followed closely by institutions like Florida State University and Tulane University, with rankings based on student surveys and campus party scenes. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Alabama, University of Wisconsin, and University of Southern California (USC). 

Is a degree from SMU respected?

Mustangs are on the rise. In the latest national rankings, SMU is recognized among the top 20% of universities in the United States and the No. 1 university in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. For alumni, that momentum means your degree keeps gaining value and your network keeps getting stronger.

Is it really hard to get into UT Austin?

Getting into the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is very difficult, with a recent acceptance rate around 27-29% and high selectivity, especially for out-of-state students or competitive majors like Computer Science, requiring strong academics (high GPA, test scores) and exceptional extracurriculars, leadership, and compelling essays. Texas residents in the top 6% of their high school class get automatic admission (though not always to their first-choice major), but everyone else faces a highly competitive holistic review process. 

What is the 90% rule at UT Austin?

The "UT Austin 90 rule" refers to the state law requiring University of Texas at Austin to reserve about 90% of its freshman spots for Texas residents, with the remaining 10% for out-of-state/international students, making it harder for non-residents to get in. For in-state students, a separate rule, the Top 10 Percent Law, guarantees automatic admission to the top percentage of their high school class, a threshold UT Austin sets annually (currently the top 5% for Fall 2026, previously 6%) to meet the 90% residency requirement and the 75% auto-admit target for residents.
 

Is UT Austin an elite school?

The University of Texas at Austin made the top 10% of a 2025 list of America's Top Colleges. Forbes determined the 500 U.S. colleges with the best educational, financial and career outcomes for undergraduates across 14 metrics. The ranking included both public and private institutions.

What is the 6% rule at UT?

The UT Austin Top 6% Rule guarantees automatic admission for eligible Texas residents who graduate in the top 6% of their high school class (this is changing to the top 5% for Fall 2026 applicants) under a state law promoting diversity, but it doesn't guarantee entry into specific competitive majors, which still require meeting additional requirements through holistic review. This rule, derived from the statewide Top 10% Law, allows UT Austin to fill 75% of its freshman class with auto-admit students, adjusting the percentage based on application volume. 

What are the three Little Ivies?

The "Little Three" are Amherst College, Williams College, and Wesleyan University, a trio of highly selective New England liberal arts colleges known for fierce athletic rivalries, mirroring the "Big Three" (Harvard, Princeton, Yale) of the Ivy League. They are part of a broader group often called the "Little Ivies," which includes other elite liberal arts schools like Bowdoin, Bates, and Swarthmore, known for academic strength and similar prestige to the Ivies.
 

What is the 5% rule at UT Austin?

The UT Austin 5% Rule means Texas high school seniors graduating in the top 5% of their class are guaranteed automatic admission, a change from the previous 6% threshold, effective for students entering Fall 2026; this policy, stemming from Texas's "Top Ten Percent Law," fills 75% of resident spots, with the rest decided holistically, though even top-ranked students need competitive scores for high-demand majors.
 

What is the #1 ranked college in Texas?

There isn't one single "number 1" college in Texas, as rankings vary by source, but Rice University and Texas A&M University consistently rank at the top, with Rice often leading overall and Texas A&M often topping public university lists, alongside other strong contenders like UT Austin. Rice is frequently cited as the best overall, while Texas A&M is recognized as the top public university by publications like The Wall Street Journal. 

What's the hardest college in Texas to get into?

The hardest college to get into in Texas is overwhelmingly Rice University in Houston, a private research university known for its extremely low acceptance rate (around 8-9%) and high selectivity, followed by other prestigious schools like Trinity University and the flagship public university, The University of Texas at Austin, though UT Austin's selectivity is often attributed to sheer application volume and specific programs, with lower rates for in-state applicants in top Texas high schools. 

Who's better, Texas Longhorns or Texas A&M?

Texas currently leads the series 78–37–5. The rivalry resumed in 2024 when Texas joined the Southeastern Conference, and it is now played annually under the trademarked moniker "Lone Star Showdown" as part of the SEC's rivalry week at the end of the regular season.

Does NASA hire from Texas A&M?

Yes, NASA actively hires graduates from Texas A&M University, especially from its strong Aerospace Engineering programs, with many "Aggies" working in various roles from Mission Control to astronaut corps, often entering through NASA's internship programs while still in school. Texas A&M is a key university for NASA recruitment, particularly for its Johnson Space Center (JSC) in nearby Houston, due to its space-grant status and research collaborations.