RPI vs. SMU

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Southern Methodist University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SMU (63.3% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: RPI. Average net price is $38,887 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: RPI 84% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: RPI $82,500 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
SMU more selective
RPI63.5%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RPI higher
RPI1375-1510
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
RPI $9,292 less
RPI$38,887
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
RPI $2,959 less
RPI$64,081
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
RPI $2,959 less
RPI$64,081
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
RPI +9 pts
RPI84%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$9,500
RPI$82,500
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • RPI 17,175
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • RPI 10,901
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • RPI 63.5%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • RPI 12.1%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RPI 1440
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • RPI 32
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • RPI 3.88
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • RPI A
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • RPI Exceptional
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • RPI Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • RPI 30-34
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • RPI Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • RPI $18,120
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • RPI $38,887
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • RPI $43,517
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • RPI 95%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • RPI 84%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • RPI $82,500
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • RPI 92%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • RPI $27,500
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • RPI $284
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • RPI 14:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • RPI Small City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • RPI 7,040
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • RPI #130
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, 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 RPI based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 7,040 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 5% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($18,120 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at SMU than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $2,959 more per year; $67,040 vs. $64,081).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Southern Methodist University (95% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 16% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($43,517 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Incoming RPI students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at SMU (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both RPI and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($222 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (92% 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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