Southern Methodist University (SMU) vs. University of Southern California (USC) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to SMU or USC?“
Southern Methodist University (SMU)
University of Southern California (USC)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Southern Methodist University (SMU) and University of Southern California (USC). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Southern Methodist University (SMU) and University of Southern California (USC)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Southern Methodist University (SMU) and University of Southern California (USC). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) | University of Southern California (USC) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $48,190 | $50,277 |
| Net Price | $32,580 | $29,174 |
| Average Financial Aid | $31,888 | $33,822 |
| Total Undergraduates | 6348 | 18519 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1220 - 1410 | 1270 - 1500 |
| Acceptance Rate | 49 | 18 |
| Location | 6425 Boaz St | University Park |
| City Name | Dallas | Los Angeles |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, University of Southern California (USC) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Dallas and Los Angeles. SMU is in a East South Central and USC is in a Mountain - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Southern Methodist University (SMU) or University of Southern California (USC) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of Southern California (USC) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that University of Southern California (USC) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Southern Methodist University (SMU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do SMU Dorms Compare to housing Options at USC?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. SMU charges for on-campus living, while USC charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
SMU and USC student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Southern Methodist University (SMU), % | USC,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 65.31 | 40.129999999999995 |
| Hispanic | 11.44 | 13.8 |
| Black | 4.62 | 4.21 |
| Foreign | 7.920000000000001 | 13.4 |
| Others | 10.7 | 28.5 |
How different is the Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus compared to University of Southern California (USC) campus?
The SMU campus is located in Dallas, TX and is characterized as Suburb: Large (outside principal city, in urbanized area with population of 250,000 or more). The USC campus is located in Los Angeles, CA and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more).
Which school gives more financial aid?
SMU provides $31,888 whereas USC provides an average of $33,822.
How does SMU academics compare to USC?
When analyzing academics between Southern Methodist University (SMU) and University of Southern California (USC) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | SMU | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | 12 | 49 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | 238 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | N/A | 17 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 175 | 423 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 41 | 217 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 168 | 473 |
| Education | 21 | N/A |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: Southern Methodist University (SMU) or University of Southern California (USC)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between SMU and USC. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does SMU social life compare to USC?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how SMU social life differs from USC.
Check here.
Check here.