LeTourneau University vs. SMU

Should I go to LeTourneau University or Southern Methodist University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if LeTourneau University 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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LeTourneau University vs. Southern Methodist University comparison
LeTourneau University Southern Methodist University College 3 College 4
LeTourneau University Southern Methodist University
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Overview

LeTourneau University SMU
Location Longview, TX Dallas, TX
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,536 12,053
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #373 #67
Religious Affiliation Interdenominational United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website letu.edu smu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

LeTourneau University SMU
Tuition (In State) $33,670 $55,012
Tuition (Out of State) $33,670 $55,012
Room & Board $10,370 $17,750
Avg Net Price $26,974 $45,094
Avg Grant Aid $20,412 $35,344
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 73%

Admission

LeTourneau University SMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,000 16,150
Admitted 1,465 8,439
Acceptance Rate 48.8% 52.3%
Enrolled % 21.4% 19.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/29 31/34
SAT Range 1120/1380 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

Academics

LeTourneau University SMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (25%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

LeTourneau University SMU
Graduation Rate 50% 75%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,100 $73,000
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,084 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $280 $222

Diversity

LeTourneau University SMU
% Men 52% 50%
% Women 48% 50%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 66% 65%
% Black 10% 5%
% Hispanic 10% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 3% 8%
% Unknown Race 5% 0%

Students

LeTourneau University SMU
% In-State 74% 38%
% Out-of-State 23% 58%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Methodist University is larger than than LeTourneau University based on total student enrollment (12,053 students vs. 3,536 students)

LeTourneau University vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LeTourneau University or SMU?

  • Southern Methodist University is 63.4% more expensive to attend than LeTourneau University for in-state tuition ($55,012.00 vs. $33,670.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.4% higher at SMU than LeTourneau University ($55,012.00 vs. $33,670.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at LeTourneau University than SMU ($26,974 vs. $45,094)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at LeTourneau University are 71.2% lower than costs at Southern Methodist University ($10,370 vs. $17,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at LeTourneau University than Southern Methodist University (99% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 73.2% larger than aid received LeTourneau University ($35,344 vs. $20,412)

LeTourneau University vs. SMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Methodist University (1330) is 172 points higher than at LeTourneau University (1158)
  • Incoming SMU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at LeTourneau University (26)
  • Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at LeTourneau University (3.66)
  • SMU has a higher acceptance rate (52.3%) than LeTourneau University (48.8%)

LeTourneau University vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, LeTourneau University 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 LeTourneau University.

  • The graduation rate at SMU is higher than LeTourneau University (75% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn on average $16,900 more per year than LeTourneau University graduates after ten years. ($73,000 vs. $56,100)
  • Southern Methodist University students graduate with a $5,584 lower median federal student loan debt than LeTourneau University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,084)
  • SMU graduates are paying $58 less per month on federal student loans than LeTourneau University graduates. ($222 vs. $280)
  • More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LeTourneau University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 55%)

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