Babson vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Babson College in Wellesley, MA with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Babson based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 3,932 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Babson College 15:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Babson vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson or SMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Babson College than SMU ($32,019 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 11.5% lower than at Babson College ($19,064 vs. $21,550).
• Southern Methodist University is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $9,888 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at SMU than at Babson College (about $9,888 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Babson College (67% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Babson College students is 28.4% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($48,173 vs. $37,520).

Babson vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson or SMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SMU and Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Babson College (1460) is 40 points higher than at SMU (1420).
• Incoming Babson students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at SMU (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Babson students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Babson (17.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Babson vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson and SMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Babson College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $35,500 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Babson 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.