Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX

Overview Admissions Majors Scholarships

Overview

Polish your Dallas dreams at SMU, where Southern charm fuels ambitious careers amid live oaks and skyline views.

Identity

Academics

Culture

Outcomes

Identity

Southern Methodist University sprang to life in 1911 when Dallas oil barons and civic boosters, backed by the Methodist Church, envisioned a cultural beacon for their booming city—though it shed strict denominational ties decades ago to embrace a broader appeal. You'll thrive here if you're polished, goal-driven, and drawn to networking in a preppy Southern setting, but less so if you crave gritty urban edge or bohemian vibes; the affluent University Park enclave feels more country club than counterculture. Surrounded by manicured boulevards and million-dollar mansions, SMU offers easy escapes to Dallas's Fortune 500 headquarters, yet tradeoffs include scorching 100-degree summers that send everyone indoors and a tuition sticker shock that demands serious financial aid hustling.

7,285

Undergrads

4,831

Grad Students

63.4%

Acceptance

82.0%

Grad Rate

Photos

Admission to Southern Methodist University • Verto Education

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The Budd Center: Involving Communities in Education Simmons School ...

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Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist University - Talley Associates

Capturing the Beauty of SMU's Neo-Georgian Architecture

Academics

11.0 : 1

Student-Faculty Ratio

91.0%

Retention Rate (Full-Time)

82.0%

6-Year Graduation Rate

75.0%

4-Year Graduation Rate

7,285

Undergraduate Enrollment

4,831

Graduate Enrollment

Admissions

63.4%

Acceptance Rate

3.66

Average GPA

Test Optional

Test Policy

$60

Application Fee

Test Score Range

SAT Math

670–750

SAT Reading

670–740

ACT Composite

30–34

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Check Your Fit

Enter your scores to see how you compare to admitted students at Southern Methodist University.

GPA

School avg: 3.66

0.00 – 4.00 scale

SAT

School range: 1340–1490

400 – 1600 (total)

ACT

School range: 30–34

1 – 36 (composite)

Enter at least one score above to see your fit

Tip: Add all three scores for the most accurate estimate

This tool provides estimates based on academic metrics only. Actual admission decisions consider many factors including essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and more.

Financial Aid & Costs

Estimated Annual Cost

$74,876

Tuition + Room & Board + Books (before financial aid)

Cost Breakdown

Tuition

$55,012

Room & Board

$19,064

Books & Supplies

$800

Financial Aid

67%

Receiving Aid

13%

Pell Grant Recipients

$37,520

Avg Grant (recipients)

$14,284

Avg Federal Loan

Apply for Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.

Start FAFSA Application

Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.

Campus Life

Housing

On-Campus Housing

Yes

Housing Capacity

3,403 beds

Housing Guarantee

Data not available

Dining

Meal Plan Available

Yes

Meal Plan Type

Data not available

Athletics

Atlantic Coast Conference

Quick Facts

Type

Private

Undergraduate Enrollment

7,285

Acceptance Rate

63%

Graduation Rate

82%

Tuition & Room/Board

$74,076

Affiliation

Evangelical Church

Visit Website

smu.edu

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Dallas, TX 75275-0221

Suburb: Large

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