Babson vs. SMU

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

Babson College
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Babson (17.1% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Babson. Average net price is $32,019 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Babson 90% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Babson $108,500 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Babson College Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Babson more selective
Babson17.1%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Babson higher
Babson1390-1530
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Babson $16,160 less
Babson$32,019
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Babson $9,888 less
Babson$57,152
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Babson $9,888 less
Babson$57,152
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Babson +15 pts
Babson90%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Babson +$35,500
Babson$108,500
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Babson 9,381
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Babson 1,603
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Babson 17.1%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Babson 39%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Babson 1460
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Babson 32
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Babson 3.79
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Babson A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Babson Exceptional
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Babson Very High
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Babson 1390-1530
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Babson 31-34
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Babson Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Babson Jan 3, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Babson $57,152
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Babson $57,152
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Babson $21,550
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Babson $32,019
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Babson $48,173
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Babson 39%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Babson 90%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Babson $108,500
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Babson 88%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Babson $26,000
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Babson $268
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Babson 15:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Babson
    • Business (100%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Babson Wellesley, MA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Babson Large Suburban
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Babson 3,932
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Babson Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Babson #108
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Babson College in Wellesley, MA with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Babson based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 3,932 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Babson College 15:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 11.5% lower than at Babson College ($19,064 vs. $21,550).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at SMU than at Babson College (about $9,888 more per year; $67,040 vs. $57,152).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Babson College (67% vs. 39%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Babson College students is 28.4% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($48,173 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Babson students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at SMU (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Babson and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Babson average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 76%).

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

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