Emory vs. SMU

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

Emory University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emory (10.6% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Emory. Average net price is $27,303 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Emory 90% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emory $81,500 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Emory University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Emory more selective
Emory10.6%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emory higher
Emory1470-1550
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Emory $20,876 less
Emory$27,303
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Emory $2,760 less
Emory$64,280
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Emory $2,760 less
Emory$64,280
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Emory +15 pts
Emory90%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emory +$8,500
Emory$81,500
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emory 33,450
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Emory 3,562
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emory 10.6%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emory 40.4%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emory 1510
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emory 33
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emory 3.8
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emory A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emory Elite
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Emory Very High
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Emory 1470-1550
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Emory 32-35
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Emory Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emory Jan 1, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emory $64,280
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emory $64,280
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Emory $20,220
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Emory $27,303
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Emory $56,319
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emory 47%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emory 90%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emory $81,500
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emory 80%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emory $17,233
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Emory $178
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emory 10:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emory
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Emory Atlanta, GA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Emory Large Suburban
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emory 15,175
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Emory Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emory #28
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

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

Emory University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (15,175 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emory University 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 5.7% lower than at Emory University ($19,064 vs. $20,220).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at SMU than at Emory University (about $2,760 more per year; $67,040 vs. $64,280).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Emory University (67% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emory University students is 50.1% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($56,319 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Emory than at SMU (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emory and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emory average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $4,267 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($17,233 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($178 vs. $222).
  • More Emory graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (80% 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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