Notre Dame vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Notre Dame is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Notre Dame vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame 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 University of Notre Dame than SMU ($29,300 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 6.1% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,900 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $2,015 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at SMU than at University of Notre Dame (about $2,015 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at University of Notre Dame (67% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 43.8% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($53,971 vs. $37,520).

Notre Dame vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 90 points higher than at SMU (1420).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at SMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Notre Dame vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame 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).

• University of Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University and Notre Dame graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Methodist University and Notre Dame graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.