- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State) is a public school while Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private school.
- Penn State is located in University Park, PA and SMU is located in Dallas, TX.
- SMU has more expensive tuition of $64,460 than Penn State ($40,188).
- SMU has tighter acceptance rate of 48.77% than Penn State (50.31%).
- SMU has higher SAT scores of 1,450 than Penn State (1,300).
- Penn State is larger with 50,028 students than SMU (12,053 students).
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus View More Rivals | Southern Methodist University View More Rivals | |
| Rankings | #61 in National Universities #5 in Texas | |
| Public, 4-years | School Type | Private, 4-years |
| University Park, PA | Location | Dallas, TX |
Penn State| Known as | SMU | |
| 1 Year Certificate 2 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) | Offered Degrees | Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) |
| Research University (very high research activity) | Carnegie Classification | Research University (high research activity) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $20,234 Pennsylvania residents $40,188 out-of-state | Undergraduate | $64,460 |
| $25,518 Pennsylvania residents $43,828 out-of-state | Graduate | $37,062 |
| $11,574 | Financial Aid | $35,270 |
| Admission | ||
| $65 undergraduate $65 graduate | Application Fee | $60 undergraduate $75 graduate |
| 50.31% | Acceptance Rate | 48.77% |
| 27.85% | Yield | 22.23% |
| 1,300 SAT, 29 ACT | Test Scores | 1,450 SAT, 32 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 50,028 | Total Students | 12,053 |
| 41,745 | Undergraduate | 7,056 |
| 8,283 | Graduate | 4,997 |
| 116 | Online Enrollment | 892 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 83% | Graduation Rate | 82% |
| 1% | Transfer-out Rate | 12% |
| 91% | Retention Rate | 90% |
| $57,200 | Average Earning after Graduation | $77,900 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Course (may not Degree Program) Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Graduate |
| ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate | Special Opportunities | ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 14,275) $7,374 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 3,403) $10,974 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 15 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 11 to 1 |
| 2,994 Full-time 621 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 767 Full-time 379 Part-time |
| 14,044 Full-time 1,418 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 2,401 Full-time 430 Part-time |
| $100,357 for Faculties $66,773 Part-time | Average Salary | $121,961 for Faculties $82,480 Part-time |