The New School vs Southern Methodist University

The New School and Southern Methodist University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Southern Methodist University is more selective with a 61.2% acceptance rate compared to The New School's 62.5%.

Cost: Southern Methodist University offers a lower average net price at $41,778, which is $13,581 less than The New School ($55,359). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median salary of $78,354 ten years after enrollment, which is $25,453 more than The New School graduates ($52,901).

Graduation: Southern Methodist University leads with a 82.8% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 80.7% vs 89.6%.

Campus Size: Southern Methodist University is the larger campus with 7,106 total students, while The New School has 6,819.

Bottom Line: Southern Methodist University stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.