SCU vs. SMU

Santa Clara University and Southern Methodist University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Santa Clara University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SCU (48% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: SMU. Average net price is $48,179 vs $53,883 at SCU.
  • Graduation: SCU 85% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SCU $81,900 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Santa Clara University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
SCU more selective
SCU48%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SCU higher
SCU1350-1490
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
SMU $5,704 less
SCU$53,883
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
SCU $5,747 less
SCU$61,293
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
SCU $5,747 less
SCU$61,293
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
SCU +10 pts
SCU85%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SCU +$8,900
SCU$81,900
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SCU 18,970
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • SCU 9,105
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • SCU 48%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SCU 17.7%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SCU 1420
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • SCU 32
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • SCU 3.67
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • SCU A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SCU Exceptional
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • SCU Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • SCU 1350-1490
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • SCU 31-33
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • SCU Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SCU Jan 7, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • SCU $19,893
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • SCU $53,883
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • SCU $28,368
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SCU 71%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • SCU 85%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SCU $81,900
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • SCU 84%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SCU $21,500
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • SCU $222
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SCU 11:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • SCU
    • Business (33%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • SCU Santa Clara, CA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • SCU Midsize City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • SCU 9,728
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • SCU Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SCU #61
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, 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 SCU based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 9,728 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 4.2% lower than at Santa Clara University ($19,064 vs. $19,893).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at SMU than at Santa Clara University (about $5,747 more per year; $67,040 vs. $61,293).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at Southern Methodist University (71% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 32.3% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($37,520 vs. $28,368).

Admissions details

  • Incoming SCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at SMU (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SCU and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SMU average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at SCU (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University and SCU graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Methodist University and SCU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
  • More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (84% 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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