Tulane vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tulane University of Louisiana is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (13,310 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tulane University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Tulane vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tulane 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 Tulane University of Louisiana than SMU ($47,427 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tulane University of Louisiana are 1% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($18,868 vs. $19,064).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMU (about $1,638 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $67,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Tulane than at Southern Methodist University (about $1,638 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $67,040.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Tulane University of Louisiana (67% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students is 5.7% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($39,654 vs. $37,520).

Tulane vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tulane 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 Tulane.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tulane University of Louisiana (1460) is 40 points higher than at SMU (1420).
• Incoming Tulane 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: Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tulane - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tulane Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Tulane (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.3% at Tulane vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Tulane vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tulane 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).

• Graduates from Tulane University of Louisiana earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $6,029 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($222 vs. $284).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 62%)

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.