Head-to-head · 2026
Southern Methodist University vs Tulane University of Louisiana
Compare average net price ($40,892 at Southern Methodist University; $39,949 at Tulane University of Louisiana), ROI score (4.79 vs 3.96), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($78,354 vs $63,268), and admissions selectivity (63.4% acceptance at Southern Methodist University; 14% at Tulane University of Louisiana) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Southern Methodist University | Tulane University of Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 4.79 ✓ | 3.96 |
| Avg net price | $40,892 | $39,949 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $163,568 | $159,796 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $67,040 | $68,678 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $67,040 | $68,678 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $78,354 ✓ | $63,268 |
| Acceptance rate | 63.4% | 14% |
| Graduation rate | 84.3% | 86.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 90.5% | 92.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $19,500 ✓ | $20,500 |
| Enrollment | 7,277 | 7,767 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1428 | 1448 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Southern Methodist University | Tulane University of Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $23,544 | $16,126 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $20,038 | $18,041 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $24,152 | $20,149 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $33,477 | $28,207 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $58,213 | $56,667 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Southern Methodist University | Tulane University of Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 11.4% | 4.3% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 6.5% | 6.2% |
| Law | 6% | 3.5% |
| Psychology, General | 2.4% | 5.1% |
| Economics | 4% | 3.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.5% | 3.4% |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 0.7% | 4.7% |
| Applied Mathematics | 1.9% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Tulane University of Louisiana reports the lower average net price by $943 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,772 difference over four years ($159,796 vs $163,568).
Southern Methodist University reports $15,086 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($78,354 vs $63,268). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 90.5% at Southern Methodist University and 92.6% at Tulane University of Louisiana. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Southern Methodist University vs Tulane University of Louisiana, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Tulane University of Louisiana is cheaper — average net price $39,949 per year vs $40,892 at Southern Methodist University. The annual difference of $943 adds up to about $3,772 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Southern Methodist University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $78,354 vs $63,268 at Tulane University of Louisiana. The gap in the federal data is $15,086. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Tulane University of Louisiana is more selective at 14% acceptance vs 63.4% at Southern Methodist University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.