Princeton vs. SMU

Should I go to Princeton University or Southern Methodist University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Princeton or SMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Princeton University vs. Southern Methodist University comparison
Princeton University Southern Methodist University College 3 College 4
Princeton University Southern Methodist University
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Overview

Princeton SMU
Location Princeton, NJ Dallas, TX
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 8,842 12,053
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1 #67
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website princeton.edu smu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Princeton SMU
Tuition (In State) $57,410 $55,012
Tuition (Out of State) $57,410 $55,012
Room & Board $18,630 $17,750
Avg Net Price $18,698 $45,094
Avg Grant Aid $59,792 $35,344
% Receiving Grant Aid 61% 73%

Admission

Princeton SMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 38,019 16,150
Admitted 2,167 8,439
Acceptance Rate 5.7% 52.3%
Enrolled % 69.2% 19.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.93 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Exceptional
Applicant Competition Extreme Low
ACT Range 33/35 31/34
SAT Range 1490/1580 1370/1510
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Princeton SMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 5:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (25%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • History (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Princeton SMU
Graduation Rate 96% 75%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $113,900 $73,000
Making Student Loan Payments 83% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $7,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $77 $222

Diversity

Princeton SMU
% Men 53% 50%
% Women 47% 50%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 45% 65%
% Black 8% 5%
% Hispanic 9% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 11% 8%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Princeton SMU
% In-State 16% 38%
% Out-of-State 69% 58%

Campus

Princeton SMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Methodist University is larger than than Princeton based on total student enrollment (12,053 students vs. 8,842 students)

Princeton vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or SMU?

  • Princeton University is 4.4% more expensive to attend than SMU for in-state tuition ($57,410.00 vs. $55,012.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.4% higher at Princeton than Southern Methodist University ($57,410.00 vs. $55,012.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Princeton University than SMU ($18,698 vs. $45,094)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 5% lower than costs at Princeton University ($17,750 vs. $18,630)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Methodist University than Princeton University (73% vs. 61%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 69.2% larger than aid received Southern Methodist University ($59,792 vs. $35,344)

Princeton vs. SMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton or SMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SMU or Princeton .

  • The average SAT score at Princeton University (1490) is 160 points higher than at SMU (1330)
  • Incoming Princeton students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (34) than students at SMU (30)
  • Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at SMU (3.68)
  • SMU has a higher acceptance rate (52.3%) than Princeton (5.7%)

Princeton vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Princeton or SMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SMU and Princeton.

  • The graduation rate at Princeton is higher than Southern Methodist University (96% vs. 75%)
  • Graduates from Princeton University earn on average $40,900 more per year than SMU graduates after ten years. ($113,900 vs. $73,000)
  • Princeton University students graduate with a $14,000 lower median federal student loan debt than SMU graduates. ($7,500 vs. $21,500)
  • Princeton graduates are paying $145 less per month on federal student loans than SMU graduates. ($77 vs. $222)
  • More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/