SMU vs. TCU

Southern Methodist University and Texas Christian University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Southern Methodist University
Texas Christian University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: TCU (44.5% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1250 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: TCU. Average net price is $41,848 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: SMU 75% vs TCU 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SMU $73,000 vs TCU $57,600 (median).
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Key differences

Southern Methodist University Texas Christian University
Acceptance rate
TCU more selective
SMU63.3%
TCU44.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
SMU1340-1490
TCU1140-1350
Average net price
TCU $6,331 less
SMU$48,179
TCU$41,848
In-state tuition
TCU $5,300 less
SMU$67,040
TCU$61,740
Out-of-state tuition
TCU $5,300 less
SMU$67,040
TCU$61,740
Graduation rate
SMU +1 pts
SMU75%
TCU74%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$15,400
SMU$73,000
TCU$57,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SMU 15,245
  • TCU 22,307
  • Admitted
  • SMU 9,657
  • TCU 9,925
  • Acceptance rate
  • SMU 63.3%
  • TCU 44.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SMU 17.8%
  • TCU 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SMU 1420
  • TCU 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • SMU 32
  • TCU 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • SMU 3.68
  • TCU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • SMU A-
  • TCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SMU Exceptional
  • TCU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • SMU Low
  • TCU Low
  • SAT range
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • TCU 1140-1350
  • ACT range
  • SMU 30-34
  • TCU 26-31
  • Submit test scores
  • SMU Test optional
  • TCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • TCU Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • TCU $61,740
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • TCU $61,740
  • Room & board
  • SMU $19,064
  • TCU $16,700
  • Average net price
  • SMU $48,179
  • TCU $41,848
  • Average grant aid
  • SMU $37,520
  • TCU $34,975
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SMU 67%
  • TCU 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • SMU 75%
  • TCU 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SMU $73,000
  • TCU $57,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • SMU 76%
  • TCU 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SMU $21,500
  • TCU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • SMU $222
  • TCU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SMU 11:1
  • TCU 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • TCU
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (18%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • TCU Fort Worth, TX
  • Setting
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • TCU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • SMU 12,116
  • TCU 12,938
  • Type
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • TCU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SMU #72
  • TCU #110

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Texas Christian University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (12,938 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
  • Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Christian University are 12.4% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($16,700 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at SMU than at Texas Christian University (about $5,300 more per year; $67,040 vs. $61,740).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at Southern Methodist University (80% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Texas Christian University students ($37,520 vs. $34,975).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at SMU than at TCU (32 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SMU and TCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman SMU students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at TCU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 24.7% at TCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University and SMU graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Texas Christian University and SMU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
  • More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (77% 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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