AU vs. SMU

American University and Southern Methodist University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (62% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: AU. Average net price is $39,676 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

American University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
AU62%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
AU1280-1460
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
AU $8,503 less
AU$39,676
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
AU $8,269 less
AU$58,771
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
AU $8,269 less
AU$58,771
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
AU +2 pts
AU77%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$8,200
AU$64,800
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at AU and SMU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at AU Check my chances at SMU
  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 5.7% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,982 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at SMU than at American University (about $8,269 more per year; $67,040 vs. $58,771).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at American University as at Southern Methodist University (67% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 3.2% larger than aid received by American University students ($37,520 vs. $36,349).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SMU than at AU (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($222 vs. $250).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 76%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

American University
Southern Methodist University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges