Southern Methodist University (SMU) vs Baylor

Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Baylor University, both esteemed private institutions in Texas, offer distinct educational experiences. SMU, located in the vibrant city of Dallas, boasts a lower acceptance rate (53%) compared to Baylor's (63%). SMU students pursue diverse interests, with popular majors including Business, Engineering, and Humanities, while Baylor students often gravitate towards Health Professions, Business, and Education. SMU's student body is more racially and ethnically diverse, with international students comprising 13% of the population, while Baylor's student body is predominantly White (73%). Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with SMU's at 86% and Baylor's at 80%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional universities and determine which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Baylor University	Southern Methodist University
Overview
Location	Waco, Texas	Dallas, Texas
Campus setting	City: Midsize	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	88.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Baptist	Methodism

Admission
Acceptance rate	56.7%	53.1%
Application fees	$50	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1160 - 1350	1340 - 1510
ACT range	25 - 32	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	39.0%	16.0%
Students submitting ACT score	31.0%	23.0%
Total number of applicants	36,588	15,685
Total number of admissions given out	20,741	8,333
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,271	1,572
Yield rate	20.6%	18.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$68,150	$72,336
Average net price	$46,039	$41,986
Tuition	$50,232	$53,464
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,200 Meal plan: $6,074	Room/dormitory: $10,860 Meal plan: $6,578
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	96.0% Average amount $21,460	74.0% Average amount $34,940
Students receiving federal student loan	38.0% Average amount $5,411	25.0% Average amount $5,241
Students taking out private loans	12.0% Average amount $26,787	5.0% Average amount $29,055

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	15,191 Men 39.8% Women 60.2%	6,908 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%
Graduate students	5,435 Men 34.4% Women 65.6%	5,477 Men 52.4% Women 47.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	43.4%	59.4%
International students	4.2%	8.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,321	3,403
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas California Colorado Illinois Washington	Texas California Florida New York Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Public Administration and Social Service Legal Profession Education	Business Engineering Education Legal Profession Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	81.6%	82.4%
Dropout rate	18.2%	4.7%
Transferred out	N/A	12.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,204 Year 2: $96,457 Year 3: $109,058 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $100,127 Year 3: $100,370 General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,388 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $98,739 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $75,072 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $85,393 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,702 Year 2: $75,047 Year 3: $82,751 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,793 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $82,525 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,614 Year 2: $65,320 Year 3: $82,203 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,012 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $75,979 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,433 Year 2: $63,522 Year 3: $74,962 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,921 Year 2: $66,897 Year 3: $74,883	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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Baylor University?

SMU, located in Dallas, Texas, is a private, non-denominational university known for its strong business, law, and arts programs. Baylor University, situated in Waco, Texas, is a private Baptist university with a strong emphasis on its Christian mission and a wide range of academic disciplines, including pre-med, law, and business. SMU tends to have a more urban feel, while Baylor offers a more traditional college town experience.
How do SMU and Baylor compare in terms of religious affiliation?

Baylor University is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and integrates its Christian faith into its academic and campus life. While SMU was founded by the Methodist Church, it is now non-denominational and welcomes students of all faiths. Religious life is still present at SMU, but it is not as central to the university's identity as it is at Baylor.
Which university, SMU or Baylor, is located in a larger city?

SMU is located in Dallas, a major metropolitan city with a diverse economy and numerous cultural attractions. Baylor is located in Waco, a smaller city that offers a more close-knit community feel. Dallas provides SMU students with greater access to internships, job opportunities, and a wider range of entertainment options.
How do the academic reputations of SMU and Baylor compare?

Both SMU and Baylor are highly regarded universities. SMU is particularly well-known for its Cox School of Business, Dedman School of Law, and Meadows School of the Arts. Baylor has a strong reputation in pre-med, law, business, and its undergraduate programs. Both universities attract high-achieving students and offer a variety of research opportunities.
What is the typical student body size at SMU versus Baylor?

SMU has a smaller student body compared to Baylor. SMU typically enrolls around 7,000 undergraduate students and 5,000 graduate students. Baylor is larger, with approximately 14,000 undergraduate students and 6,000 graduate students. This difference in size can impact the overall campus atmosphere and the student-to-faculty ratio.
How do the costs of attending SMU and Baylor compare?

Both SMU and Baylor are private universities, and their tuition costs are relatively similar. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors such as room and board, fees, and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as information on financial aid and scholarships.
What are the main differences in campus culture between SMU and Baylor?

SMU's campus culture is often described as more preppy and focused on social life, with a strong emphasis on Greek life. Baylor's campus culture is more traditional and emphasizes community, faith, and service. While both universities offer a variety of extracurricular activities, the overall atmosphere and student body demographics differ.
How do SMU and Baylor compare in terms of sports and athletics?

Both SMU and Baylor are NCAA Division I schools and offer a variety of sports programs. Baylor is part of the Big 12 Conference, while SMU is part of the American Athletic Conference. Baylor is particularly known for its successful football and basketball programs, while SMU has strong programs in football, basketball, and soccer. Both universities offer a vibrant athletic environment for students and fans.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at SMU and Baylor?

Both SMU and Baylor offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career development. SMU's location in Dallas provides students with access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities in various industries. Baylor also has strong connections with employers throughout Texas and beyond. Both universities offer career fairs, workshops, and individual counseling to support students' career goals.
Which university, SMU or Baylor, might be a better fit for me?

The best fit depends on your individual preferences and priorities. If you're looking for a non-denominational university in a major city with strong business and arts programs, SMU might be a good choice. If you prefer a university with a strong Christian mission, a more traditional campus environment, and a wide range of academic disciplines, Baylor might be a better fit. Consider visiting both campuses, talking to current students, and researching the specific programs that interest you to make an informed decision.

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