Southern Methodist University — College Profile

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

Open in Google Maps View official campus map

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$67,040

Housing & food (on campus)$19,064

Books & supplies$800

Cost of attendance$96,388

Average net price$40,892

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$67,040

Housing & food (on campus)$19,064

Books & supplies$800

Cost of attendance$96,388

Average net price$40,892

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.smu.edu

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$23,544

$30–48k

$20,038

$48–75k

$24,152

$75–110k

$33,477

$110k+

$58,213

Your family's actual price → Southern Methodist University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

84%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

76%

Back for yr 2

91%

Transferred

11%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

83% graduated · 13% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$65,556

10 yrs after entry$78,354

Debt

Median at graduation$19,500

Monthly payment$207

Middle 50% owe$8.3k–$26k

90th percentile$31,000

Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

63%

Test policy

Test optional

Checked Sep 2026

SAT average

1428

R 670–740 · M 670–750

ACT midpoint

Comp 30–34 · E 30–35 · M 27–33

SAT middle 50%: 1340–1490

40080012001600

Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry

Early Decision

Nov 1 2026

binding in 30 days · Students who apply I by

If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.

Checked Oct 2026 · smu.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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

SchoolScout 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 college plan first

Essay prompts

If Southern Methodist University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 49%Women 51%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

11 : 1

Pell grant

13%

First-gen

16%

Family income

$67,697

Independent

Age at entry

20.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

White

56%

Hispanic

18%

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25

Basketball
Men's · Women's
Equestrian
Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Rowing
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Swimming and Diving (combined)
Men's · Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$65,556

After 10 yrs

$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

Resources

Endowment

$2.2B

Full-time faculty

69%

Faculty salary

$14,916/mo

Teaching spend

$18,509

per student

Federal loans

21%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R1 — very high research

$63M research spending · 136 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile