BC vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

BC vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC 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 Boston College than SMU ($32,519 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 0.8% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($18,916 vs. $19,064).
• Boston College is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMU (about $3,662 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $67,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at BC than at Southern Methodist University (about $3,662 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $67,040.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Boston College (67% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 51.8% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($56,971 vs. $37,520).

BC vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC 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 BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 70 points higher than at SMU (1420).
• Incoming BC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at SMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 17.8% at SMU.

BC vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC 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).

• Boston College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($196 vs. $222).
• More BC 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.