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Santa Clara University 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

Getting in

Acceptance rate48%47.6%
Early decision rate80.1%80.3%
SAT middle 50%1360–14801360–1470
ACT middle 50%31–3331–34
Applicant reports on our site12543

Cost and aid

Tuition$62,760—
Food and housing$20,553—
Sticker price per year$84,067—
Average need-based grant$41,590—
Average % of need met71%—

Outcomes

First-year retention93.8%—
6-year graduation rate88.2%—
Undergraduates6,577—

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.

Santa Clara University or Southern Methodist University?

Is Santa Clara University harder to get into than Southern Methodist University?

They are about equally selective: Santa Clara University admitted 48% of first-year applicants (2024-25) and Southern Methodist University admitted 47.6% (2025-26).

What SAT scores do Santa Clara University and Southern Methodist University students have?

The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1360–1480 at Santa Clara University and 1360–1470 at Southern Methodist University.

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