Rochester vs Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Nestled in the heart of New York, the University of Rochester (UR) and Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, stand as two distinct academic powerhouses. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer unique experiences shaped by their diverse locations, student demographics, and academic strengths. UR boasts a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 32%, while SMU offers a slightly more accessible pathway, accepting 53% of applicants. In terms of student body composition, UR's undergraduate population is predominantly female (56%), while SMU's student body is more evenly balanced, with 49% female and 51% male students. Dive into the comprehensive comparison table below to explore further differences in popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors that will help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Southern Methodist University |
![]() University of Rochester |
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Overview |
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Location | Dallas, Texas | Rochester, New York |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
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 | 91.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 53.1% | 40.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 1340 - 1510 | 1370 - 1520 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 31 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | 22.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | 7.0% |
Total number of applicants | 15,685 | 19,543 |
Total number of admissions given out | 8,333 | 7,924 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,572 | 1,623 |
Yield rate | 18.9% | 20.5% |
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 | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $72,336 | $79,456 |
Average net price | $41,986 | $40,125 |
Tuition | $53,464 | $58,276 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,860
Meal plan:
$6,578
|
Room/dormitory:
$10,692
Meal plan:
$6,696
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
74.0%
Average amount $34,940 |
75.0%
Average amount $37,870 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
25.0%
Average amount $5,241 |
37.0%
Average amount $4,351 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $29,055 |
7.0%
Average amount $22,054 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,908
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% |
6,568
Men 48.0% Women 52.0% |
Graduate students |
5,477
Men 52.4% Women 47.6% |
5,471
Men 44.9% Women 55.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 59.4% | N/A |
International students | 8.1% | 30.7% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 3,403 | 1,350 |
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 | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.4% | 85.9% |
Dropout rate | 4.7% | 4.2% |
Transferred out | 12.4% | 8.8% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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