Baylor vs. SMU

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

Baylor University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Baylor (51.3% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1300 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $47,001 at Baylor vs $48,179 at SMU. SMU in-state tuition is about $8,940 more per year.
  • Graduation: Baylor 72% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Baylor $56,200 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Baylor University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Baylor more selective
Baylor51.3%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
Baylor1200-1400
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
About even
Baylor$47,001
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Baylor $8,940 less
Baylor$58,100
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Baylor $8,940 less
Baylor$58,100
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
SMU +3 pts
Baylor72%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$16,800
Baylor$56,200
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Baylor Check my chances at SMU
  • Applied
  • Baylor 46,946
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Baylor 24,075
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Baylor 51.3%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Baylor 14.2%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Baylor 1300
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Baylor 29
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Baylor 3.74
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Baylor A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Baylor Very High
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Baylor Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Baylor 1200-1400
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Baylor 27-32
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Baylor Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Baylor Feb 1, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Baylor $58,100
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Baylor $58,100
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Baylor $15,314
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Baylor $47,001
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Baylor $27,232
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Baylor 98%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Baylor 72%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Baylor $56,200
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Baylor 73%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Baylor $25,000
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Baylor $258
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Baylor 15:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Baylor
    • Business (28%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Baylor Waco, TX
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Baylor Midsize City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Baylor 20,626
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Baylor Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Baylor #167
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

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

Baylor University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (20,626 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baylor University are 19.7% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($15,314 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at SMU than at Baylor University (about $8,940 more per year; $67,040 vs. $58,100).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Baylor University than at Southern Methodist University (98% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 37.8% larger than aid received by Baylor University students ($37,520 vs. $27,232).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at SMU than at Baylor (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Baylor and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Baylor Feb 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Baylor average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Baylor vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Baylor graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Baylor graduates ($222 vs. $258).
  • More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Baylor students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 73%).

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.

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

Frequently compared to these colleges