Southern Methodist University (SMU) vs Villanova University

Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Villanova University are two highly regarded private institutions offering distinct educational experiences. SMU, located in the vibrant city of Dallas, Texas, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. Villanova, situated in the historic town of Villanova, Pennsylvania, is known for its strong academic reputation, particularly in the fields of business and engineering. While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, they differ in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Southern Methodist University	Villanova University
Overview
Location	Dallas, Texas	Villanova, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	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	91.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Methodism	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	53.1%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1340 - 1510	1350 - 1490
ACT range	31 - 34	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	16.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	23.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	15,685	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	8,333	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,572	1,772
Yield rate	18.9%	28.8%
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	$77,806
Average net price	$41,986	$33,123
Tuition	$53,464	$58,290
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,860 Meal plan: $6,578	Room/dormitory: $8,236 Meal plan: $7,150
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	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	25.0% Average amount $5,241	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $29,055	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,908 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	5,477 Men 52.4% Women 47.6%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	59.4%	80.7%
International students	8.1%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,403	5,400
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	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Education Legal Profession Computer and Information Science	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	82.4%	91.3%
Dropout rate	4.7%	1.5%
Transferred out	12.4%	7.2%
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	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,668 Year 2: $165,766 Year 3: $171,511 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $124,137 Year 2: $100,740 Year 3: $121,765 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,590 Year 2: $109,095 Year 3: $118,365 Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,687 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $106,587 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,782 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $91,484 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,757 Year 2: $73,579 Year 3: $88,419 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,583 Year 2: $80,218 Year 3: $88,254 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,297 Year 2: $71,947 Year 3: $86,990 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,492 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $85,108 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,115 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $84,596

Frequently Asked Questions

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

SMU, located in Dallas, Texas, is known for its strong business, law, and arts programs, and its vibrant Greek life. It has a more urban setting and a generally more conservative student body. Villanova, situated in Villanova, Pennsylvania, is a Catholic Augustinian university renowned for its strong engineering, nursing, and business programs. It has a more suburban campus and a strong emphasis on community service and ethical leadership.
Which university is larger, SMU or Villanova?

Villanova University is slightly larger than SMU. Villanova has a total enrollment of around 10,000 students, while SMU has approximately 12,000 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students. However, the undergraduate population at Villanova is generally larger than SMU's.
How do the academic reputations of SMU and Villanova compare?

Both SMU and Villanova are highly regarded universities. Villanova is particularly well-known for its engineering, nursing, and business programs, often ranking highly in national rankings. SMU also has strong programs in business (Cox School of Business), law, and the arts, and is gaining prominence in STEM fields. Both universities offer a rigorous academic environment.
What is the campus environment like at SMU versus Villanova?

SMU offers a more urban campus experience in the heart of Dallas, providing students with access to a wide range of cultural and professional opportunities. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture and well-maintained grounds. Villanova provides a more traditional suburban campus setting, fostering a strong sense of community. Its location offers a balance between a close-knit campus and access to Philadelphia.
How do the costs of attending SMU and Villanova compare?

Both SMU and Villanova have similar costs of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. It's important to check the most recent figures on each university's website, as these can change annually. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarships to eligible students, so exploring those options is highly recommended.
What are the religious affiliations of SMU and Villanova?

Villanova University is a Catholic Augustinian university, and its Catholic identity is central to its mission and values. While students of all faiths are welcome, the university integrates Catholic teachings into its curriculum and campus life. SMU is historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church, but it is open to students of all faiths and does not have a strong religious emphasis in its daily operations.
What are the popular majors at SMU and Villanova?

At SMU, popular majors include business, finance, marketing, engineering, and communication. At Villanova, popular majors include engineering, nursing, business administration, finance, and political science. Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines.
How do the athletic programs at SMU and Villanova compare?

Both SMU and Villanova have strong athletic programs. Villanova is particularly well-known for its men's basketball team, which has won multiple national championships. SMU competes in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), while Villanova competes in the Big East Conference. Both universities offer a variety of varsity and intramural sports.
What are the career opportunities like for graduates of SMU and Villanova?

Graduates from both SMU and Villanova have excellent career prospects. SMU's location in Dallas provides access to a thriving business environment, particularly in finance, energy, and technology. Villanova's strong alumni network and reputation in the Northeast provide graduates with opportunities in various industries, including finance, healthcare, and engineering. Both universities have robust career services departments to assist students with internships and job placement.
What is the student life like at SMU and Villanova?

SMU is known for its active Greek life, with a significant percentage of students participating in fraternities and sororities. The university also offers a wide range of clubs, organizations, and campus events. Villanova has a strong sense of community, with a focus on service and leadership. Student life is centered around campus activities, clubs, and organizations, as well as events in nearby Philadelphia.
Which university is more diverse, SMU or Villanova?

SMU generally has a more diverse student body compared to Villanova, particularly in terms of racial and ethnic diversity. Both universities are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion on their campuses, but SMU's location in a major metropolitan area contributes to its more diverse student population.
How do the acceptance rates compare between SMU and Villanova?

Both SMU and Villanova are selective universities, but Villanova generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate than SMU. This means that Villanova may be slightly more competitive to get into. It's important to check the most recent acceptance rates on each university's website for the most up-to-date information.

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