Acceptance Rate
63%
Avg. SAT
1490
75th percentile
“Polish your Dallas dreams at SMU, where Southern charm fuels ambitious careers amid live oaks and skyline views.”
Dallas, TX
Location
Large Suburb
Campus Setting
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.
Photo Gallery
+20
+12
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
In SMU's intimate classrooms, professors like Cox Business's finance whizzes ditch massive lectures for case-study showdowns where you'll debate real Dallas energy deals, backed by an 11:1 ratio that feels personal—rarer at bigger privates. Standouts include the Cox School's top-ranked undergrad biz program funneling interns to ExxonMobil, Meadows School of the Arts nurturing Emmy-caliber filmmakers, and engineering's hands-on labs tackling Texas grid challenges; research gigs abound for juniors via the Engaged Learning initiative, but expect more teaching focus than cutthroat Big Ten labs, with some lamenting lighter humanities depth compared to liberal arts peers.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
7,285 undergrad • 4,831 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
54%
Black / African American
8%
Hispanic / Latino
15%
Asian
8%
Other / Multi-racial
15%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Dallas, TX
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Picture your week kicking off with Monday yoga on the manicured quad, midterms grinding into Thursday happy hours at on-campus bars, then Friday tailgates exploding into Mustang football frenzy—Greek life claims 40% of undergrads, powering sorority formals and frat philanthropy bashes that define the bubbly, appearance-conscious social swirl. Residential commons cluster you with like-minded souls in honors halls or arts villages, fostering tight bonds amid modern digs, but brace for humid heat waves chasing you to air-conditioned parties and a competitive scene where fitting the tailored-blazer mold matters; Dallas perks like Uptown brunches and Deep Ellum concerts balance the bubble, though some outsiders feel the polish borders on superficial.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Atlantic Coast Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$32,478
$30K – $48K
$31,208
$48K – $75K
$31,744
$75K – $110K
$35,728
$110K+
$47,278
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
91%
4 Years Graduation Rate
75%
6 Years Graduation Rate
82%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$78,354
91% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Southern Methodist University and return in the fall. 75% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 82% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
75%
4-5 years
7%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
17%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$55,012
Acceptance
63%
Undergrads
7,285
4-Year Grad Rate
75%
Endowment
$2.5B
Dallas, TX 75275-0221
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