Southern Methodist University (SMU) vs Cornell
Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Cornell University are two prestigious institutions of higher learning with distinct characteristics. SMU, located in the vibrant city of Dallas, Texas, offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a focus on business, engineering, and the arts. Cornell, situated in the scenic town of Ithaca, New York, is renowned for its rigorous academics, world-class research facilities, and a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, including agriculture, engineering, and hospitality management. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cornell University |
![]() Southern Methodist University |
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Overview |
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Location | Ithaca, New York | Dallas, Texas |
Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 8.7% | 53.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$105
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Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1450 - 1560 | 1340 - 1510 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 31 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 41.0% | 16.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | 23.0% |
Total number of applicants | 67,380 | 15,685 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,852 | 8,333 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,718 | 1,572 |
Yield rate | 63.5% | 18.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not 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 | $80,287 | $72,336 |
Average net price | $24,262 | $41,986 |
Tuition | $60,286 | $53,464 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,962
Meal plan:
$6,434
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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 $52,674 |
74.0%
Average amount $34,940 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,924 |
25.0%
Average amount $5,241 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $8,357 |
5.0%
Average amount $29,055 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,503
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
6,908
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% |
Graduate students |
10,079
Men 51.0% Women 49.0% |
5,477
Men 52.4% Women 47.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 64.3% | 59.4% |
International students | 24.4% | 8.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 7,422 | 3,403 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania | 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 | 9:1 | 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 | 94.1% | 82.4% |
Dropout rate | 5.2% | 4.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 12.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master'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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