University of Mary Washington vs Southern Methodist University (SMU)
In the pursuit of higher education, prospective students often find themselves torn between prestigious institutions. University of Mary Washington (UMW) and Southern Methodist University (SMU) stand out as two such esteemed universities, each offering unique opportunities and experiences. While both share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. UMW, a public liberal arts university in Fredericksburg, Virginia, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a more diverse student body compared to SMU, a private research university located in Dallas, Texas. SMU, on the other hand, offers a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including highly ranked business and engineering schools. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including their acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Southern Methodist University |
![]() University of Mary Washington |
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Overview |
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Location | Dallas, Texas | Fredericksburg, Virginia |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 53.1% | 81.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 1340 - 1510 | 1130 - 1320 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | 28.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | 6.0% |
Total number of applicants | 15,685 | 5,027 |
Total number of admissions given out | 8,333 | 4,118 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,572 | 654 |
Yield rate | 18.9% | 15.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $72,336 |
In state:
$28,790
Out of state:
$45,216
|
Average net price | $41,986 | $21,901 |
Tuition | $53,464 |
In state:
$8,678
Out of state:
$25,104
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,860
Meal plan:
$6,578
|
Room/dormitory:
$7,126
Meal plan:
$5,192
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
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Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
74.0%
Average amount $34,940 |
87.0%
Average amount $8,030 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
25.0%
Average amount $5,241 |
40.0%
Average amount $5,085 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $29,055 |
7.0%
Average amount $14,177 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,908
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% |
3,660
Men 35.4% Women 64.6% |
Graduate students |
5,477
Men 52.4% Women 47.6% |
296
Men 30.7% Women 69.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 59.4% | 11.2% |
International students | 8.1% | 1.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 3,403 | 2,355 |
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 | Virginia Maryland North Carolina New York Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.4% | 68.0% |
Dropout rate | 4.7% | 6.9% |
Transferred out | 12.4% | 24.2% |
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 and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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