RIT vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Rochester 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: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

RIT vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT 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 Rochester Institute of Technology than SMU ($39,534 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 15.3% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($16,142 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 13.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $7,766 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at SMU than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $7,766 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Southern Methodist University (98% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 7% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($37,520 vs. $35,077).

RIT vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT 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 RIT .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 40 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming SMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SMU (3.68).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 17.8% at SMU.

RIT vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT 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 Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($21,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($222 vs. $289).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 75%)

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.