California State University, Fresno vs Southern Methodist University

Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools

California State University, Fresno47%admitted · 2023-24

Southern Methodist University48%admitted · 2025-26

Getting in

Acceptance rate47.1%47.6%

Early decision rateNo ED80.3%

SAT middle 50%—1360–1470

ACT middle 50%—31–34

Applicant reports on our site343

Cost and aid

Tuition$6,084 in-state—

Tuition, out-of-state$17,004—

Food and housing$16,666—

Sticker price per year$34,960—

Average need-based grant$11,893—

Average % of need met82%—

Outcomes

First-year retention85.3%—

6-year graduation rate70%—

Undergraduates34,033—

Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.

California State University, Fresno or Southern Methodist University?

Is California State University, Fresno harder to get into than Southern Methodist University?

They are about equally selective: California State University, Fresno admitted 47.1% of first-year applicants (2023-24) and Southern Methodist University admitted 47.6% (2025-26).