Colgate vs. SMU

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

Colgate University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Colgate $19,443 less
Colgate$28,736
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
SMU $3,266 less
Colgate$70,306
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
SMU $3,266 less
Colgate$70,306
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Colgate +17 pts
Colgate92%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$2,300
Colgate$75,300
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY 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 Colgate based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 7.6% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,610 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Colgate than at Southern Methodist University (about $3,266 more per year; $70,306 vs. $67,040).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Colgate University (67% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 55.5% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($58,334 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Colgate than at SMU (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($166 vs. $222).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (86% 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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