IIT vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL 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 IIT based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 8,834 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

IIT vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology than SMU ($24,796 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Institute of Technology are 9% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,356 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 28% more expensive for in-state tuition than IIT (about $14,654 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at SMU than at Illinois Institute of Technology (about $14,654 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($44,547 vs. $37,520).

IIT vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT 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 IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 110 points higher than at IIT (1310).
• Incoming SMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at IIT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IIT students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than IIT (54.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 17.8% at SMU.

IIT vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT 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).

• Southern Methodist University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Illinois Institute of Technology earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,300 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than IIT graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More IIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.