SMU vs. BYU

Southern Methodist University and Brigham Young University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Southern Methodist University
Brigham Young University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SMU (63.3% admitted vs 67.8%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: BYU. Average net price is $16,694 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: SMU 75% vs BYU 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SMU $73,000 vs BYU $69,100 (median).
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Key differences

Southern Methodist University Brigham Young University
Acceptance rate
SMU more selective
SMU63.3%
BYU67.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
SMU1340-1490
BYU1270-1460
Average net price
BYU $31,485 less
SMU$48,179
BYU$16,694
In-state tuition
BYU $60,352 less
SMU$67,040
BYU$6,688
Out-of-state tuition
BYU $60,352 less
SMU$67,040
BYU$6,688
Graduation rate
BYU +3 pts
SMU75%
BYU78%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$3,900
SMU$73,000
BYU$69,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SMU 15,245
  • BYU 11,698
  • Admitted
  • SMU 9,657
  • BYU 7,929
  • Acceptance rate
  • SMU 63.3%
  • BYU 67.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SMU 17.8%
  • BYU 77.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SMU 1420
  • BYU 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • SMU 32
  • BYU 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • SMU 3.68
  • BYU 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • SMU A-
  • BYU A
  • Admissions standards
  • SMU Exceptional
  • BYU Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • SMU Low
  • BYU Low
  • SAT range
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • BYU 1270-1460
  • ACT range
  • SMU 30-34
  • BYU 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • SMU Test optional
  • BYU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • BYU Dec 16, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • BYU $6,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • BYU $6,688
  • Room & board
  • SMU $19,064
  • BYU $10,396
  • Average net price
  • SMU $48,179
  • BYU $16,694
  • Average grant aid
  • SMU $37,520
  • BYU $6,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SMU 67%
  • BYU 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • SMU 75%
  • BYU 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SMU $73,000
  • BYU $69,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • SMU 76%
  • BYU 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SMU $21,500
  • BYU $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • SMU $222
  • BYU $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SMU 11:1
  • BYU 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • BYU
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • BYU Provo, UT
  • Setting
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • BYU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • SMU 12,116
  • BYU 35,873
  • Type
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • BYU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SMU #72
  • BYU #131

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Brigham Young University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
  • Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 45.5% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($10,396 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 902.4% higher at SMU than at Brigham Young University (about $60,352 more per year; $67,040 vs. $6,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Brigham Young University (67% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 516.3% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($37,520 vs. $6,088).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SMU than at BYU (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SMU and BYU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BYU average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($11,000 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($113 vs. $222).
  • More BYU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (80% 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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