RPI vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY 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 RPI based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

RPI vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than SMU ($38,887 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 5% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($18,120 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $2,959 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at SMU than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $2,959 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Southern Methodist University (95% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 16% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($43,517 vs. $37,520).

RPI vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI 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 RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 20 points higher than at SMU (1420).
• Incoming RPI students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at SMU (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at SMU (3.68).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 17.8% at SMU.

RPI vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($222 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.