Fordham vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fordham University in Bronx, NY with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fordham University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fordham University is located in Bronx, NY (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fordham University 14:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Fordham vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fordham or SMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Methodist University than Fordham ($48,179 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 20.9% lower than at Fordham University ($19,064 vs. $24,090).
• Southern Methodist University is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $2,125 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at SMU than at Fordham University (about $2,125 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Southern Methodist University (95% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($37,520 vs. $35,988).

Fordham vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fordham or SMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SMU and Fordham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 20 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming SMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 1320/1480; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 30/33; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fordham - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fordham Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Fordham (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Fordham vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Fordham vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fordham and SMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Fordham University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Fordham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.