Villanova vs. SMU

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

Villanova University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Villanova (27% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1450 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Villanova. Average net price is $37,201 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Villanova 90% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Villanova $85,100 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Villanova University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Villanova more selective
Villanova27%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Villanova higher
Villanova1395-1510
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Villanova $10,978 less
Villanova$37,201
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
SMU $736 less
Villanova$67,776
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
SMU $736 less
Villanova$67,776
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Villanova +15 pts
Villanova90%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Villanova +$12,100
Villanova$85,100
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Villanova and SMU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Villanova Check my chances at SMU
  • Applied
  • Villanova 23,256
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Villanova 6,274
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Villanova 27%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Villanova 27.7%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Villanova 1450
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Villanova 33
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Villanova 3.87
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Villanova A
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Villanova Exceptional
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Villanova High
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Villanova 1395-1510
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Villanova 32-34
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Villanova Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Villanova Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Villanova $67,776
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Villanova $67,776
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Villanova $17,694
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Villanova $37,201
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Villanova $47,609
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Villanova 48%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Villanova 90%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Villanova $85,100
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Villanova 90%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Villanova $26,497
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Villanova $273
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Villanova 10:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Villanova
    • Business (32%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Villanova Villanova, PA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Villanova Large Suburban
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Villanova 10,041
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Villanova Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Villanova #67
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Methodist University is larger than Villanova based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 10,041 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Villanova University is located in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Villanova University 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 7.2% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,694 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Villanova than at Southern Methodist University (about $736 more per year; $67,776 vs. $67,040).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Villanova University (67% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($47,609 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Villanova than at SMU (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Villanova and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Villanova Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Villanova average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.7% at Villanova vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $4,997 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,497).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($222 vs. $273).
  • More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (90% 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.

Villanova University
Southern Methodist University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges