College Search
Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Suburb · 7,277 students
4
Year
Private Non-profit
Suburb
Medium (3k–10k)
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas is renowned for its strong professional programs, spirited campus culture, and deep integration into one of the country's fastest-growing metropolitan business hubs. Its standout academic offerings include the highly ranked Cox School of Business, the Meadows School of the Arts, and the Lyle School of Engineering, all of which leverage strong corporate ties to provide students with robust internship and networking opportunities. Student life is vibrant and social, defined by active Greek organizations, a tight-knit community, and the cherished game-day tailgating tradition known as "Boulevarding" on its classic Georgian-style campus. Setting SMU further apart is its housing of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which regularly brings world leaders, policy scholars, and unique research initiatives directly to undergraduates.


Wikipedia:Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private research university in University Park, Texas, United States, with a satellite campus in Taos County, New Mexico. SMU was founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South—now part of the United Methodist Church—in partnership with Dallas civic leaders. It is currently non-sectarian in its teaching and enrolls students of all religious affiliations. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research spending and doctorate production".

Location
Dallas, TX, 75275-0221 · Suburb campus
Nearest airport from college
DFW · Dallas/Fort Worth
15 mi away
Cost
Cost of attendance
$96,388
Avg net price
$40,892
Room & board
$19,064
Tuition
$67,040
Books & supplies
$800/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$23,544
$30–48k
$20,038
$48–75k
$24,152
$75–110k
$33,477
$110k+
$58,213
Admissions
Admit rate
63%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1428
Reading 670740
Math 670750
ACT midpoint
33
Composite 3034
English 3035
Math 2733
SAT range (25th–75th percentile)
40080012001600

Wondering if Southern Methodist University is the right fit for you?

Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay Requirements

Southern Methodist University accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.

See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.

Outcomes
Graduation rate
84%
4-yr on-time completion
76%
1st-yr retention
91%
Transfer-out rate
11%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
83%
Transferred
13%
Still enrolled
0%
Dropped out / unknown
5%
Median earnings (6yr)
$65,556
Median earnings (10yr)
$78,354
Median debt
$19,500
Monthly loan payment
$207
Debt range (25th–75th)
$8,250$26,000
Debt (90th percentile)
$31,000
Student Body
Men 49%Women 51%
11
:
1
Student : Faculty ratio
Students   Faculty
Pell grant recipients
13%
First-generation
16%
Median family income
$67,697
Independent students
8%
Avg age at entry
20.0
Part-time students
2%
Race & ethnicity
White
56%
Hispanic
18%
Black
5%
Asian
8%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
4%
Unknown
3%
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings for graduates across all programs
6 years after entry
$65,556
10 years after entry
$78,354
Finance and Financial Management Services326
Economics139
Psychology, General123
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication107
Biology, General101
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness99
Computer Science95
Marketing88
Business Administration, Management and Operations71
Political Science and Government62
Accounting and Related Services62
Real Estate55
Mechanical Engineering49
Mathematics48
Operations Research44
Public Policy Analysis40
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Endowment
$2.2B
Classification
R2: High Research
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions
Full-time faculty
69%
Avg faculty salary
$14,916/mo
Instructional spend/student
$18,509
Federal loan rate
21%

Wondering if Southern Methodist University is the right fit for you?

Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Get your college list →See a sample report first