Loyola Marymount vs. SMU

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

Loyola Marymount University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Loyola Marymount (45.1% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: SMU. Average net price is $48,179 vs $59,926 at Loyola Marymount.
  • Graduation: Loyola Marymount 77% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Loyola Marymount $65,700 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Loyola Marymount University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Loyola Marymount more selective
Loyola Marymount45.1%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
Loyola Marymount1260-1430
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
SMU $11,747 less
Loyola Marymount$59,926
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Loyola Marymount $4,683 less
Loyola Marymount$62,357
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Loyola Marymount $4,683 less
Loyola Marymount$62,357
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Loyola Marymount +2 pts
Loyola Marymount77%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$7,300
Loyola Marymount$65,700
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Loyola Marymount 23,089
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Loyola Marymount 10,409
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Loyola Marymount 45.1%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Loyola Marymount 14.8%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Loyola Marymount 1350
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Loyola Marymount 30
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Loyola Marymount 3.92
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Loyola Marymount A
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Loyola Marymount Very High
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Loyola Marymount Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Loyola Marymount 1260-1430
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Loyola Marymount 28-32
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Loyola Marymount Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Loyola Marymount $62,357
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Loyola Marymount $62,357
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Loyola Marymount $22,026
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Loyola Marymount $59,926
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Loyola Marymount $24,318
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Loyola Marymount 100%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Loyola Marymount 77%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Loyola Marymount $65,700
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Loyola Marymount 79%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Loyola Marymount $21,668
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Loyola Marymount $224
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Loyola Marymount 10:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Loyola Marymount
    • Business (25%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Loyola Marymount Los Angeles, CA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Loyola Marymount Large City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Loyola Marymount 10,179
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Loyola Marymount Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Loyola Marymount #70
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, 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 Loyola Marymount based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 10,179 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola Marymount 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 13.4% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($19,064 vs. $22,026).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at SMU than at Loyola Marymount University (about $4,683 more per year; $67,040 vs. $62,357).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 54.3% larger than aid received by Loyola Marymount University students ($37,520 vs. $24,318).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SMU than at Loyola Marymount (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Loyola Marymount and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Loyola Marymount average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Loyola Marymount vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $168 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($21,500 vs. $21,668).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($222 vs. $224).
  • More Loyola Marymount graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (79% 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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