SMU vs. Trinity

Should I go to Southern Methodist University or Trinity University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SMU or Trinity is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Southern Methodist University vs. Trinity University comparison
Southern Methodist University Trinity University College 3 College 4
Southern Methodist University Trinity University
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Overview

SMU Trinity
Location Dallas, TX San Antonio, TX
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 12,053 2,692
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #67 #69
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smu.edu trinity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SMU Trinity
Tuition (In State) $55,012 $48,648
Tuition (Out of State) $55,012 $48,648
Room & Board $17,750 $14,134
Avg Net Price $45,094 $30,038
Avg Grant Aid $35,344 $33,614
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 99%

Admission

SMU Trinity
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,150 11,463
Admitted 8,439 3,497
Acceptance Rate 52.3% 30.5%
Enrolled % 19.4% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 31/34 29/33
SAT Range 1370/1510 1310/1470
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

SMU Trinity
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • English and Literature (6%)

Outcomes

SMU Trinity
Graduation Rate 75% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $73,000 $62,800
Making Student Loan Payments 76% 88%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $263

Diversity

SMU Trinity
% Men 50% 46%
% Women 50% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 65% 55%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 20%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 8% 7%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

SMU Trinity
% In-State 38% 76%
% Out-of-State 58% 18%

Campus

SMU Trinity
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Methodist University is larger than than Trinity based on total student enrollment (12,053 students vs. 2,692 students)

SMU vs. Trinity Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMU or Trinity?

  • Southern Methodist University is 13.1% more expensive to attend than Trinity for in-state tuition ($55,012.00 vs. $48,648.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.1% higher at SMU than Trinity University ($55,012.00 vs. $48,648.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Trinity University than SMU ($30,038 vs. $45,094)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity University are 25.6% lower than costs at Southern Methodist University ($14,134 vs. $17,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Trinity University than Southern Methodist University (99% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 5.1% larger than aid received Trinity University ($35,344 vs. $33,614)

SMU vs. Trinity Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMU or Trinity? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Trinity or SMU .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Methodist University (1330) is 36 points higher than at Trinity (1294)
  • Incoming SMU students have at the same average ACT score (30) as students at Trinity (30)
  • Accepted freshman SMU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at Trinity (3.68)
  • SMU has a higher acceptance rate (52.3%) than Trinity (30.5%)

SMU vs. Trinity Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SMU or Trinity? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Trinity and SMU.

  • The graduation rate at Trinity is higher than Southern Methodist University (80% vs. 75%)
  • Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn on average $10,200 more per year than Trinity graduates after ten years. ($73,000 vs. $62,800)
  • Southern Methodist University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Trinity graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,500)
  • SMU graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Trinity graduates. ($222 vs. $263)
  • More Trinity graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/