SMU vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Christian University is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (12,938 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Methodist University 11:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

SMU vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMU or TCU? 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 Texas Christian University than SMU ($41,848 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Christian University are 12.4% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($16,700 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCU (about $5,300 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $61,740.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at SMU than at Texas Christian University (about $5,300 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $61,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at Southern Methodist University (80% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Texas Christian University students ($37,520 vs. $34,975).

SMU vs. TCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMU or TCU? 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 TCU and SMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 170 points higher than at TCU (1250).
• Incoming SMU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at TCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 1340/1490; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Methodist University 30/34; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SMU - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMU Jan 15, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at TCU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at SMU vs. 24.7% at TCU.

SMU vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMU and TCU? 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 Texas Christian University's (74%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University and SMU graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Texas Christian University and SMU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.