BC vs. SMU

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

Boston College
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BC (16.4% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: BC. Average net price is $32,519 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: BC 91% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BC $90,900 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Boston College Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
BC more selective
BC16.4%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BC higher
BC1440-1540
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
BC $15,660 less
BC$32,519
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
SMU $3,662 less
BC$70,702
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
SMU $3,662 less
BC$70,702
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
BC +16 pts
BC91%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
BC +$17,900
BC$90,900
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BC 35,037
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • BC 5,755
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • BC 16.4%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BC 43.5%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BC 1490
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • BC 34
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • BC 3.86
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • BC A
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BC Elite
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • BC Very High
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • BC 1440-1540
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • BC 33-35
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • BC Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BC Jan 1, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BC $70,702
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BC $70,702
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • BC $18,916
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • BC $32,519
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • BC $56,971
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BC 40%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • BC 91%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BC $90,900
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • BC 90%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BC $19,000
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • BC $196
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BC 10:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • BC
    • Business (24%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • BC Chestnut Hill, MA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • BC Small City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • BC 15,432
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • BC Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BC #34
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 0.8% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($18,916 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at BC than at Southern Methodist University (about $3,662 more per year; $70,702 vs. $67,040).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Boston College (67% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 51.8% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($56,971 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at BC than at SMU (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BC and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BC average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($196 vs. $222).
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (90% 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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