SMU vs. Trinity

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

Southern Methodist University
Trinity University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Trinity (25.9% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Trinity. Average net price is $32,224 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: SMU 75% vs Trinity 80%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SMU $73,000 vs Trinity $62,800 (median).
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Key differences

Southern Methodist University Trinity University
Acceptance rate
Trinity more selective
SMU63.3%
Trinity25.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Trinity higher
SMU1340-1490
Trinity1340-1500
Average net price
Trinity $15,955 less
SMU$48,179
Trinity$32,224
In-state tuition
Trinity $13,364 less
SMU$67,040
Trinity$53,676
Out-of-state tuition
Trinity $13,364 less
SMU$67,040
Trinity$53,676
Graduation rate
Trinity +5 pts
SMU75%
Trinity80%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$10,200
SMU$73,000
Trinity$62,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SMU 15,245
  • Trinity 12,506
  • Admitted
  • SMU 9,657
  • Trinity 3,241
  • Acceptance rate
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Trinity 25.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Trinity 20.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SMU 1420
  • Trinity 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • SMU 32
  • Trinity 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • SMU 3.68
  • Trinity 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • SMU A-
  • Trinity A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Trinity Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • SMU Low
  • Trinity High
  • SAT range
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • Trinity 1340-1500
  • ACT range
  • SMU 30-34
  • Trinity 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • SMU Test optional
  • Trinity Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Trinity Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • Trinity $53,676
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SMU $67,040
  • Trinity $53,676
  • Room & board
  • SMU $19,064
  • Trinity $14,750
  • Average net price
  • SMU $48,179
  • Trinity $32,224
  • Average grant aid
  • SMU $37,520
  • Trinity $35,990
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SMU 67%
  • Trinity 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • SMU 75%
  • Trinity 80%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SMU $73,000
  • Trinity $62,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • SMU 76%
  • Trinity 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SMU $21,500
  • Trinity $25,500
  • Median loan payment
  • SMU $222
  • Trinity $263
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SMU 11:1
  • Trinity 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Trinity
    • Business (32%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Trinity San Antonio, TX
  • Setting
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Trinity Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • SMU 12,116
  • Trinity 2,687
  • Type
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • Trinity Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SMU #72
  • Trinity #64

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with Trinity University in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Trinity based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 2,687 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting); Trinity University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
  • Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Trinity University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; Trinity University 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity University are 22.6% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($14,750 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.9% higher at SMU than at Trinity University (about $13,364 more per year; $67,040 vs. $53,676).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity University than at Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Trinity University students ($37,520 vs. $35,990).

Admissions details

  • Incoming SMU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at Trinity (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SMU and Trinity.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; Trinity Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman SMU students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at Trinity (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 20.1% at Trinity.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Trinity graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,500).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity graduates ($222 vs. $263).
  • More Trinity graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (88% 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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