Southern Methodist University (SMU) vs Trinity University

Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Trinity University are two highly regarded private universities located in vibrant cities in Texas. While they share some similarities, there are also key differences between the two institutions. SMU, situated in the heart of Dallas, boasts a larger student body and a more diverse range of academic programs, including highly ranked business and engineering schools. Trinity, nestled in the historic Alamo Heights neighborhood of San Antonio, offers a more intimate learning environment with a focus on the liberal arts and sciences. Both universities offer competitive athletic programs, with SMU competing in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference and Trinity competing in the NCAA Division III Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. To help you make an informed decision about which university is the right fit for you, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more.

	Southern Methodist University	Trinity University
Overview
Location	Dallas, Texas	San Antonio, Texas
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: 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	91.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Methodism	Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	53.1%	33.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75	$50
SAT range	1340 - 1510	1280 - 1468
ACT range	31 - 34	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	16.0%	39.0%
Students submitting ACT score	23.0%	29.0%
Total number of applicants	15,685	9,626
Total number of admissions given out	8,333	3,246
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,572	663
Yield rate	18.9%	20.4%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$72,336	$61,132
Average net price	$41,986	$27,356
Tuition	$53,464	$46,776
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,860 Meal plan: $6,578	Room/dormitory: $8,690 Meal plan: $5,903
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	74.0% Average amount $34,940	99.0% Average amount $35,240
Students receiving federal student loan	25.0% Average amount $5,241	35.0% Average amount $5,106
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $29,055	9.0% Average amount $9,457

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,908 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%	2,527 Men 47.3% Women 52.7%
Graduate students	5,477 Men 52.4% Women 47.6%	177 Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	59.4%	20.6%
International students	8.1%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,403	1,779
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas California Florida New York Illinois	Texas California Arizona Oregon Louisiana

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Education Legal Profession Computer and Information Science	Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	82.4%	79.9%
Dropout rate	4.7%	5.0%
Transferred out	12.4%	15.0%
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	Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,419 Year 2: $88,342 Year 3: $118,436 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $77,213 Year 3: $98,114 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,972 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $74,778 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $66,003 Year 3: $74,002 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,126 Year 2: $41,937 Year 3: $54,622 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $51,821 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,586 Year 2: $51,440 Year 3: $51,584 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $28,816 Year 3: N/A Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,367 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: N/A Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,357 Year 2: $36,848 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

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

SMU is a larger, private research university located in Dallas, Texas, known for its strong business, law, and arts programs. Trinity University, located in San Antonio, Texas, is a smaller, private liberal arts university with a focus on undergraduate education and a strong sense of community. SMU offers a wider range of graduate programs, while Trinity emphasizes a personalized learning experience with smaller class sizes.
Which university is more selective: SMU or Trinity?

Both SMU and Trinity are highly selective, but generally, SMU's acceptance rate is slightly higher than Trinity's. This means Trinity is typically considered marginally more competitive to get into. However, both require strong academic records and compelling applications.
How do the campus environments compare?

SMU's campus is located in a vibrant, urban setting in Dallas, offering students access to numerous internships, cultural attractions, and professional opportunities. Trinity's campus, situated in a residential area of San Antonio, provides a more secluded and close-knit community feel. While San Antonio offers its own unique cultural experiences, Dallas provides a broader range of big-city amenities.
What are the typical class sizes at SMU and Trinity?

Trinity University prides itself on its small class sizes, with a student-faculty ratio that allows for more individualized attention. SMU, being a larger university, generally has larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses. However, SMU also offers smaller, more specialized classes as students progress in their majors.
Which university is known for its business program?

SMU's Cox School of Business is nationally recognized and highly regarded. While Trinity offers business-related programs, SMU's business school has a stronger reputation and a wider range of specialized programs and resources.
What about the cost of attendance? Which is more expensive?

Generally, SMU's cost of attendance is higher than Trinity's. However, both universities offer financial aid and scholarships to help students afford tuition. It's important to research the specific financial aid packages offered by each institution based on your individual circumstances.
How do the athletic programs compare?

SMU competes in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the American Athletic Conference, offering a wide range of varsity sports. Trinity University competes in NCAA Division III athletics, emphasizing a balance between academics and athletics. SMU's athletic programs are generally more high-profile, while Trinity focuses on providing a competitive athletic experience within a strong academic environment.
What are the strengths of Trinity University?

Trinity University excels in providing a rigorous liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on undergraduate research and personalized learning. Its small size fosters a close-knit community, and it's known for its strong programs in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Trinity also offers unique opportunities like the Trinity University Press.
What are the strengths of Southern Methodist University?

SMU is known for its strong professional schools, particularly its business, law, and arts programs. Its location in Dallas provides students with access to numerous internships and career opportunities. SMU also offers a vibrant campus life with a wide range of extracurricular activities and a strong alumni network.
Which university is a better fit for me?

The best university for you depends on your individual preferences and goals. If you're looking for a larger university with strong professional programs and access to big-city opportunities, SMU might be a better fit. If you prefer a smaller, more intimate learning environment with a focus on liberal arts and undergraduate research, Trinity University could be a better choice. Visiting both campuses and speaking with current students is highly recommended.

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