Colgate vs. SMU

Should I go to Colgate University or Southern Methodist University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colgate or SMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Colgate University vs. Southern Methodist University comparison
Colgate University Southern Methodist University College 3 College 4
Colgate University Southern Methodist University
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Overview

Colgate SMU
Location Hamilton, NY Dallas, TX
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,141 12,053
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #27 #67
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colgate.edu smu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colgate SMU
Tuition (In State) $63,904 $55,012
Tuition (Out of State) $63,904 $55,012
Room & Board $16,106 $17,750
Avg Net Price $27,074 $45,094
Avg Grant Aid $54,647 $35,344
% Receiving Grant Aid 41% 73%

Admission

Colgate SMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,109 16,150
Admitted 2,624 8,439
Acceptance Rate 12.4% 52.3%
Enrolled % 30.9% 19.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High Low
ACT Range 32/34 31/34
SAT Range 1410/1530 1370/1510
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Colgate SMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Colgate SMU
Graduation Rate 92% 75%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,300 $73,000
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,125 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $166 $222

Diversity

Colgate SMU
% Men 44% 50%
% Women 56% 50%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 65%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 9% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 9% 8%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

Colgate SMU
% In-State 19% 38%
% Out-of-State 71% 58%

Campus

Colgate SMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Methodist University is larger than than Colgate based on total student enrollment (12,053 students vs. 3,141 students)

Colgate vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate or SMU?

  • Colgate University is 16.2% more expensive to attend than SMU for in-state tuition ($63,904.00 vs. $55,012.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.2% higher at Colgate than Southern Methodist University ($63,904.00 vs. $55,012.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colgate University than SMU ($27,074 vs. $45,094)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 10.2% lower than costs at Southern Methodist University ($16,106 vs. $17,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Methodist University than Colgate University (73% vs. 41%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 54.6% larger than aid received Southern Methodist University ($54,647 vs. $35,344)

Colgate vs. SMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate or SMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SMU or Colgate .

  • The average SAT score at Colgate University (1374) is 44 points higher than at SMU (1330)
  • Incoming Colgate students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at SMU (30)
  • Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at SMU (3.68)
  • SMU has a higher acceptance rate (52.3%) than Colgate (12.4%)

Colgate vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colgate or SMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SMU and Colgate.

  • The graduation rate at Colgate is higher than Southern Methodist University (92% vs. 75%)
  • Graduates from Colgate University earn on average $2,300 more per year than SMU graduates after ten years. ($75,300 vs. $73,000)
  • Colgate University students graduate with a $5,375 lower median federal student loan debt than SMU graduates. ($16,125 vs. $21,500)
  • Colgate graduates are paying $56 less per month on federal student loans than SMU graduates. ($166 vs. $222)
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/