Southern Methodist University

An institution’s program specfic score is calculated with seven data points: (1) its student-to-faculty ratio, (2) its number of online programs, (3) its the graduation rate, (4) its retention rate, (5) its percentage of online students, (6) its concentrated Influence (a measure of the academic importance of a school), and (7) its desirability (a measure of how many students chose to go to an institution).
 
For each data point, we score schools based on where they fall in the percentile distribution for that data point. Because our scores are based on local data and not tied to irrelevant national data, they accurately reflect an institutions’s value to the Texas student. Institutions with missing data receive a zero for that data point.
 
We weigh each data point and calculate an institution’s raw score. Then we create an adjusted raw score by combining a schools's score with a base score of 50. Finally, we score and rank institutions based on their adjusted score’s percentile rank.
 
Check out our detailed methodology here.

We weren’t able to get all the data we needed for this institution. This score is based on the information they have reported. An institution’s program specfic score is calculated with seven data points: (1) its student-to-faculty ratio, (2) its number of online programs, (3) its graduation rate, (4) its retention rate, (5) its percentage of online students, (6) its concentrated Influence (a measure of the academic importance of a school), and (7) its desirability (a measure of how many students chose to go to an institution).
 
For each data point, we score schools based on where they fall in the percentile distribution for that data point. Because our scores are based on local data and not tied to irrelevant national data, they accurately reflect an institutions’s value to the Texas student. Institutions with missing data receive a zero for that data point.
 
We weigh each data point and calculate an institution’s raw score. Then we create an adjusted raw score by combining a schools's score with a base score of 50. Finally, we score and rank institutions based on their adjusted score’s percentile rank.
 
Check out our detailed methodology here.

Focused on online colleges in TX, our relative cost score compares the average in-state tuitions of Texas schools. In general, Texas is slightly cheaper than the national average of $9,970 for a degree at a public 4-year college or university. However, Texas is home to some of the most affordable colleges and universities in the US, and it’s most expensive schools are tens of thousands cheaper than the most expensive schools in the country.
 
Check out our detailed methodology here.

Schools that offer a tuition guarantee promise students a fixed tuition rate for a portion of, or the entirety of, their education. This may or may not include fees and other costs.

Schools that offer a tuition pre-payment plan allow students to pay for future credits, semesters, or years of tuition at present-day prices and then use these credits, semesters, or years at a later date.

Schools that offer a tuition payment plan offer students the option to pay for their education in installments instead of a lump sum.