Chapman vs. SMU

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

Chapman University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SMU (63.3% admitted vs 65.4%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $47,902 at Chapman vs $48,179 at SMU. SMU in-state tuition is about $2,056 more per year.
  • Graduation: Chapman 72% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Chapman $54,100 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Chapman University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
SMU more selective
Chapman65.4%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
Chapman1260-1440
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
About even
Chapman$47,902
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Chapman $2,056 less
Chapman$64,984
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Chapman $2,056 less
Chapman$64,984
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
SMU +3 pts
Chapman72%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$18,900
Chapman$54,100
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Chapman 15,634
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Chapman 10,230
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Chapman 65.4%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Chapman 15.9%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Chapman 1350
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Chapman 29
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Chapman 3.7
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Chapman A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Chapman Very High
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Chapman Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Chapman 1260-1440
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Chapman 28-31
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Chapman Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Chapman Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Chapman $17,814
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Chapman $47,902
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Chapman $35,434
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Chapman 88%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Chapman 72%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Chapman $54,100
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Chapman 65%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Chapman $20,938
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Chapman $216
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Chapman 12:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Chapman
    • Visual and Performing Arts (27%)
    • Business (24%)
    • Communication (18%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Chapman Orange, CA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Chapman Midsize City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Chapman 9,760
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Chapman Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Chapman #103
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Chapman University in Orange, CA 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 Chapman based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 9,760 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chapman University 12:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 6.6% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,814 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at SMU than at Chapman University (about $2,056 more per year; $67,040 vs. $64,984).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at Southern Methodist University (88% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Chapman University students ($37,520 vs. $35,434).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at SMU than at Chapman (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Chapman and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Chapman average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Chapman University graduates have a $562 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($20,938 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Chapman graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($216 vs. $222).
  • More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 65%).

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

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