SCU vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, 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 SCU based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SCU vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU 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 SCU ($48,179 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 4.2% lower than at Santa Clara University ($19,064 vs. $19,893).
• Southern Methodist University is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $5,747 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at SMU than at Santa Clara University (about $5,747 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at Southern Methodist University (71% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 32.3% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($37,520 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCU 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 SCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is the same as at SMU (1420).
• Incoming SCU 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: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 31/33; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than SCU (48%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 17.8% at SMU.

SCU vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU 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).

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University and SCU graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Methodist University and SCU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.