Notre Dame vs. SMU
University of Notre Dame and Southern Methodist University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
University of Notre Dame
Southern Methodist University
At a glance
- Harder to get into: Notre Dame (11.3% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1420.
- Cheaper after aid: Notre Dame . Average net price is $29,300 vs $48,179 at SMU.
- Graduation: Notre Dame 96% vs SMU 75%.
- Earnings 10 years out: Notre Dame $89,800 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
Acceptance rate
Notre Dame more selective
Notre Dame 11.3%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Notre Dame higher
Notre Dame 1455-1560
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Notre Dame $18,879 less
Notre Dame $29,300
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Notre Dame $2,015 less
Notre Dame $65,025
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Notre Dame $2,015 less
Notre Dame $65,025
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Notre Dame +21 pts
Notre Dame 96%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Notre Dame +$16,800
Notre Dame $89,800
SMU$73,000
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
PartnerNot sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Notre Dame and SMU with Appily's free admission calculator.
-
Admissions
- Admission chances
-
Notre Dame My Chances
-
SMU My Chances
-
-
- Applied
-
Notre Dame 29,942
-
SMU 15,245
-
-
- Admitted
-
Notre Dame 3,374
-
SMU 9,657
-
-
- Acceptance rate
-
Notre Dame 11.3%
-
SMU 63.3%
-
-
- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
-
Notre Dame 61.7%
-
SMU 17.8%
-
-
- Typical SAT score
-
Notre Dame 1510
-
SMU 1420
-
-
- Typical ACT score
-
Notre Dame 34
-
SMU 32
-
-
- Average high school GPA
-
Notre Dame 3.91
-
SMU 3.68
-
-
- Typical high school grades
-
Notre Dame A
-
SMU A-
-
-
- Admissions standards
-
Notre Dame Elite
-
SMU Exceptional
-
-
- Applicant competition
-
Notre Dame Very High
-
SMU Low
-
-
- SAT range
-
Notre Dame 1455-1560
-
SMU 1340-1490
-
-
- ACT range
-
Notre Dame 33-35
-
SMU 30-34
-
-
- Submit test scores
-
Notre Dame Test optional
-
SMU Test optional
-
-
- Application deadline
-
Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027
-
SMU Jan 15, 2027
-
-
-
Cost
- Tuition (in state)
-
Notre Dame $65,025
-
SMU $67,040
-
-
- Tuition (out of state)
-
Notre Dame $65,025
-
SMU $67,040
-
-
- Room & board
-
Notre Dame $17,900
-
SMU $19,064
-
-
- Average net price
-
Notre Dame $29,300
-
SMU $48,179
-
-
- Average grant aid
-
Notre Dame $53,971
-
SMU $37,520
-
-
- % receiving grant aid
-
Notre Dame 61%
-
SMU 67%
-
-
-
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
-
Notre Dame 96%
-
SMU 75%
-
-
- Median earnings (after 10 years)
-
Notre Dame $89,800
-
SMU $73,000
-
-
- Making student loan payments
-
Notre Dame 92%
-
SMU 76%
-
-
- Median student loan debt
-
Notre Dame $21,500
-
SMU $21,500
-
-
- Median loan payment
-
Notre Dame $222
-
SMU $222
-
-
-
Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
-
Notre Dame 8:1
-
SMU 11:1
-
-
- Popular majors
-
Notre Dame
- Business (20%)
- Social Sciences (16%)
- Engineering (9%)
- Foreign Languages (9%)
- Health Professions (7%)
-
SMU
- Business (22%)
- Social Sciences (16%)
- Communication (11%)
- Engineering (9%)
- Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
-
-
-
School basics
- School
- Notre Dame University of Notre Dame
- Location
-
Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
-
SMU Dallas, TX
-
-
- Setting
-
Notre Dame Rural Fringe
-
SMU Large Suburban
-
-
- Total enrollment
-
Notre Dame 13,042
-
SMU 12,116
-
-
- Type
-
Notre Dame Private 4 Year
-
SMU Private 4 Year
-
-
- National ranking
-
Notre Dame #27
-
SMU #72
-
-
Comparable Facts
Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
University of Notre Dame is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 12,116 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
- University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 6.1% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,900 vs. $19,064).
- Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at SMU than at University of Notre Dame (about $2,015 more per year; $67,040 vs. $65,025).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at University of Notre Dame (67% vs. 61%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 43.8% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($53,971 vs. $37,520).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Notre Dame than at SMU (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Notre Dame and SMU.
- Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
- Enrolled first-year students at Notre Dame average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at SMU (3.68).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 17.8% at SMU.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University and Notre Dame graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
- Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Methodist University and Notre Dame graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
- More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 76%).
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
Change schools
You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.
University of Notre Dame
Southern Methodist University
Add a college
Compare up to 4