Rhodes College vs. SMU

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

Rhodes College
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rhodes College (50.4% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rhodes College. Average net price is $31,037 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Rhodes College 75% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Rhodes College $59,400 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Acceptance rate
Rhodes College more selective
Rhodes College50.4%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
Rhodes College1300-1486
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Rhodes College $17,142 less
Rhodes College$31,037
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Rhodes College $9,930 less
Rhodes College$57,110
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Rhodes College $9,930 less
Rhodes College$57,110
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Rhodes College +0 pts
Rhodes College75%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$13,600
Rhodes College$59,400
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Rhodes College 6,365
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Rhodes College 3,205
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Rhodes College 50.4%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Rhodes College 12.1%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rhodes College 1390
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rhodes College 29
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Rhodes College 3.99
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Rhodes College A
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Rhodes College Very High
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Rhodes College Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Rhodes College 1300-1486
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Rhodes College 26-32
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Rhodes College Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Rhodes College Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Rhodes College $57,110
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Rhodes College $57,110
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Rhodes College $13,620
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Rhodes College $31,037
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Rhodes College $40,180
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Rhodes College 100%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Rhodes College 75%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Rhodes College $59,400
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Rhodes College 79%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Rhodes College $26,217
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Rhodes College $271
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Rhodes College 9:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Rhodes College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (9%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Rhodes College Memphis, TN
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Rhodes College Large City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Rhodes College 1,861
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Rhodes College Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Rhodes College #121
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Rhodes College in Memphis, TN 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 Rhodes College based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 1,861 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rhodes College is located in Memphis, TN (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Rhodes College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhodes College 9:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhodes College are 28.6% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($13,620 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at SMU than at Rhodes College (about $9,930 more per year; $67,040 vs. $57,110).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhodes College than at Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhodes College students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($40,180 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at SMU than at Rhodes College (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Rhodes College and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Rhodes College Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rhodes College average a 3.99 high school GPA, 0.31 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Rhodes College vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $4,717 lower median loan debt than Rhodes College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,217).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rhodes College graduates ($222 vs. $271).
  • More Rhodes College 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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