Carnegie Mellon vs Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Carnegie Mellon University and Southern Methodist University, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Carnegie Mellon, located in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is renowned for its rigorous academics, particularly in the fields of computer science, engineering, and business. Southern Methodist University, situated in the vibrant city of Dallas, Texas, emphasizes a well-rounded education with strengths in business, engineering, and the arts. While both universities boast impressive acceptance rates, Carnegie Mellon's is slightly lower, indicating a more selective admissions process. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Carnegie Mellon University |
![]() Southern Methodist University |
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Overview |
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Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Dallas, Texas |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 13.5% | 53.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1480 - 1560 | 1340 - 1510 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 31 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 48.0% | 16.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 22.0% | 23.0% |
Total number of applicants | 32,896 | 15,685 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,453 | 8,333 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,896 | 1,572 |
Yield rate | 42.6% | 18.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $75,664 | $72,336 |
Average net price | $37,450 | $41,986 |
Tuition | $57,560 | $53,464 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,614
Meal plan:
$6,536
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Room/dormitory:
$10,860
Meal plan:
$6,578
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
50.0%
Average amount $39,421 |
74.0%
Average amount $34,940 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
37.0%
Average amount $4,672 |
25.0%
Average amount $5,241 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $29,079 |
5.0%
Average amount $29,055 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,932
Men 50.2% Women 49.8% |
6,908
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% |
Graduate students |
8,125
Men 62.3% Women 37.7% |
5,477
Men 52.4% Women 47.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 85.0% | 59.4% |
International students | 40.0% | 8.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,754 | 3,403 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Virginia | Texas California Florida New York Illinois |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 5:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 92.8% | 82.4% |
Dropout rate | 3.5% | 4.7% |
Transferred out | 2.8% | 12.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Systems Science and Theory (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Systems Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Operations Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
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