U of R vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, NY 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 U of R based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Rochester 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 Rochester 9:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

U of R vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 Rochester than SMU ($40,462 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 3.7% lower than at University of Rochester ($19,064 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMU (about $40 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $67,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at U of R than at Southern Methodist University (about $40 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $67,040.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Southern Methodist University (72% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($45,500 vs. $37,520).

U of R vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 60 points higher than at SMU (1420).
• Incoming U of R 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: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 17.8% at SMU.

U of R vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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 Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($222 vs. $253).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.