Vanderbilt vs. SMU

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

Vanderbilt University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vanderbilt (5.9% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Vanderbilt. Average net price is $25,186 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Vanderbilt 92% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Vanderbilt $83,100 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Vanderbilt University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt more selective
Vanderbilt5.9%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vanderbilt higher
Vanderbilt1500-1570
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Vanderbilt $22,993 less
Vanderbilt$25,186
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
SMU $458 less
Vanderbilt$67,498
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
SMU $458 less
Vanderbilt$67,498
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Vanderbilt +17 pts
Vanderbilt92%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Vanderbilt +$10,100
Vanderbilt$83,100
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Vanderbilt 45,409
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Vanderbilt 2,662
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Vanderbilt 5.9%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Vanderbilt 61.2%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Vanderbilt 1540
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Vanderbilt 34
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Vanderbilt 3.89
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Vanderbilt A
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Vanderbilt Elite
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Vanderbilt Extreme
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Vanderbilt 1500-1570
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Vanderbilt 34-35
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Vanderbilt Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Vanderbilt $22,054
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Vanderbilt $25,186
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Vanderbilt $64,404
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Vanderbilt 67%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Vanderbilt 92%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Vanderbilt $83,100
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Vanderbilt 83%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Vanderbilt $14,000
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Vanderbilt $144
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Vanderbilt 8:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Vanderbilt
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Vanderbilt Nashville, TN
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Vanderbilt Large City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Vanderbilt 13,575
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Vanderbilt Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Vanderbilt #16
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 13.6% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($19,064 vs. $22,054).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Vanderbilt than at Southern Methodist University (about $458 more per year; $67,498 vs. $67,040).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University as at Southern Methodist University (67% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 71.7% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($64,404 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Vanderbilt than at SMU (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Vanderbilt and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Vanderbilt average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Vanderbilt vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($14,000 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($144 vs. $222).
  • More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (83% 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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