Southern Methodist University (SMU) vs Stanford

Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Stanford University, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. SMU, a private research university in Dallas, Texas, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on undergraduate education. Stanford, a private research university in Stanford, California, is renowned for its academic excellence and groundbreaking research. With acceptance rates of 18% and 4%, respectively, both universities are highly selective. SMU's popular majors include business, engineering, and the arts, while Stanford offers a wide range of programs, including engineering, computer science, and the humanities. Explore the comparison table to discover more about these universities' acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and other key differences to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Southern Methodist University	Stanford University
Overview
Location	Dallas, Texas	Stanford, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	98.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation	Methodism

Admission
Acceptance rate	53.1%	3.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $90 Graduate: $125
SAT range	1340 - 1510	1470 - 1570
ACT range	31 - 34	34 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	16.0%	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	23.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	15,685	55,471
Total number of admissions given out	8,333	2,190
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,572	1,757
Yield rate	18.9%	80.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$72,336	$78,898
Average net price	$41,986	$14,402
Tuition	$53,464	$55,473
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,860 Meal plan: $6,578	Room/dormitory: $11,166 Meal plan: $6,694
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	74.0% Average amount $34,940	61.0% Average amount $56,211
Students receiving federal student loan	25.0% Average amount $5,241	5.0% Average amount $5,151
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $29,055	1.0% Average amount $17,186

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,908 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%	7,645 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
Graduate students	5,477 Men 52.4% Women 47.6%	10,035 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	59.4%	58.5%
International students	8.1%	24.4%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,403	14,621
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas California Florida New York Illinois	California Texas Washington New York Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Education Legal Profession Computer and Information Science	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	5:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	82.4%	95.5%
Dropout rate	4.7%	1.7%
Transferred out	12.4%	0.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $100,915 Year 2: $111,196 Year 3: $127,135 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $118,537 Year 2: $120,363 Year 3: $120,106 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,239 Year 2: $101,558 Year 3: $116,891 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $104,021 Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $112,196 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,842 Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $107,302 Computer Systems Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,251 Year 2: $81,491 Year 3: $100,026 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,824 Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $99,671 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $81,633 Year 2: $81,554 Year 3: $99,143 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,678 Year 2: $73,446 Year 3: $89,611 Operations Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $89,319	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $151,574 Year 2: $170,457 Year 3: $210,837 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,729 Year 2: $168,942 Year 3: $203,193 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $164,734 Year 2: $163,337 Year 3: $187,054 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $137,457 Year 2: $150,874 Year 3: $173,548 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $136,126 Year 2: $136,499 Year 3: $165,375 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $128,556 Year 2: $135,709 Year 3: $157,500 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $123,354 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $139,234 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,326 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,185 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,457 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $107,477 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,475 Year 2: $85,391 Year 3: $104,592

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Stanford University?

SMU and Stanford differ significantly in size, location, selectivity, and academic focus. Stanford is a large, highly selective research university located in the heart of Silicon Valley, known for its strong emphasis on innovation and technology. SMU is a smaller, private university in Dallas, Texas, with a strong focus on business, law, and the humanities. Stanford's acceptance rate is significantly lower than SMU's, making it much more competitive to get into. While both offer excellent academics, Stanford's reputation is globally recognized, while SMU is more regionally prominent, particularly in the Southwest.
How do the academic programs at SMU and Stanford compare?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Stanford is particularly renowned for its programs in engineering, computer science, and the sciences, consistently ranking among the top in the world. SMU has strong programs in business (Cox School of Business), law, and the humanities, and is known for its smaller class sizes and more personalized attention. While Stanford offers a broader range of specialized graduate programs, SMU provides a more intimate learning environment, especially at the undergraduate level.
What is the campus culture like at SMU versus Stanford?

Stanford's campus culture is often described as innovative, entrepreneurial, and academically driven. Located in Silicon Valley, it attracts students with a strong interest in technology and startups. SMU's campus culture is known for its strong sense of community, Greek life, and school spirit. It offers a more traditional college experience with a focus on social activities and campus traditions. Stanford's environment is more globally diverse and research-oriented, while SMU's is more regionally focused and socially active.
How do the locations of SMU and Stanford impact the student experience?

Stanford's location in Silicon Valley provides unparalleled access to internships, networking opportunities, and exposure to the tech industry. Students benefit from proximity to leading companies and research institutions. SMU's location in Dallas offers opportunities in business, finance, and the arts. Dallas is a major metropolitan area with a thriving economy, providing students with diverse internship and career options. The cost of living in Dallas is generally lower than in the Bay Area, which can be a significant factor for students.
What are the tuition costs and financial aid options at SMU and Stanford?

Both SMU and Stanford have high tuition costs, but Stanford's may be slightly higher when factoring in the cost of living in the Bay Area. Both universities offer financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Stanford is known for its generous financial aid program, which aims to make education accessible to students from all income levels. SMU also offers merit-based and need-based aid, and students should explore the financial aid options at both institutions to determine which is the most affordable.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of SMU and Stanford?

Graduates from both SMU and Stanford have excellent career prospects. Stanford graduates are highly sought after by top companies in technology, finance, and consulting, both nationally and internationally. SMU graduates find success in a variety of fields, particularly in business, law, and the energy sector, with strong regional connections in the Southwest. Stanford's global reputation often opens doors to a wider range of opportunities, while SMU's strong alumni network in Texas and the surrounding region provides valuable connections for graduates seeking careers in that area.
What are some similarities between SMU and Stanford?

Despite their differences, SMU and Stanford share some similarities. Both are private universities with a commitment to academic excellence. They both offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, and sports. Both universities also have strong alumni networks that can provide valuable support and connections for graduates. Furthermore, both institutions emphasize the importance of research and innovation, although Stanford's focus is more heavily weighted towards scientific and technological advancements.
Which university is better, SMU or Stanford?

There is no single "better" university; the best choice depends on your individual needs, interests, and goals. If you are seeking a highly selective, globally recognized institution with a strong focus on technology and research, Stanford may be a better fit. If you prefer a smaller, more community-oriented university with strong programs in business, law, and the humanities, and a strong regional presence, SMU may be a better choice. Consider your academic interests, career aspirations, financial situation, and preferred campus culture when making your decision.
How do the athletic programs compare between SMU and Stanford?

Both SMU and Stanford have strong athletic programs. Stanford is a powerhouse in NCAA Division I athletics, consistently ranking among the top universities in the nation in terms of overall athletic success. They have a wide range of varsity sports and a strong tradition of winning national championships. SMU also competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with a particular emphasis on football, basketball, and soccer. While SMU's athletic program may not be as nationally dominant as Stanford's, it offers a vibrant and engaging experience for student-athletes and fans alike.

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