Loyola Marymount vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA 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 Loyola Marymount based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 10,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola Marymount University 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Loyola Marymount vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola Marymount 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 Southern Methodist University than Loyola Marymount ($48,179 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 13.4% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($19,064 vs. $22,026).
• Southern Methodist University is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola Marymount (about $4,683 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $62,357.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at SMU than at Loyola Marymount University (about $4,683 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $62,357.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 54.3% larger than aid received by Loyola Marymount University students ($37,520 vs. $24,318).

Loyola Marymount vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 70 points higher than at Loyola Marymount (1350).
• Incoming SMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Loyola Marymount).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 28/32; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola Marymount - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Loyola Marymount (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Loyola Marymount vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loyola Marymount vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola Marymount 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).

• Loyola Marymount University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Loyola Marymount graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $65,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $168 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($21,500 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($222 vs. $224).
• More Loyola Marymount graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.