Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's degrees · Suburb
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About Southern Methodist University
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". As of fall 2025, the university had 12,544 students, including 7,545 undergraduates and 4,999 postgraduates. As of fall 2024, its instructional faculty was 1,163 members, with 788 being full-time. In the 2020 academic year, the university granted over 3,827 degrees, including 315 doctoral, 1,659 master's, and 1,853 bachelor's degrees. Graduate degrees are offered in eight schools: the Edwin L. Cox School of Business, the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, the Dedman School of Law, the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, the Algur H. Meadows School of the Arts, the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Perkins School of Theology, and the Annette Caldwell Simmo
Excerpt from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
63%
Acceptance
$40,892
Net price
7,277
Enrollment
84%
Grad rate
Report Card
Academics
Graduation & retention rates
Value
Earnings vs. cost of attendance
Career Outcomes
Graduate earnings after 10 years
Affordability
Average net price after aid
Selectivity
How hard it is to get in
Diversity
Racial & ethnic balance of students
Grades are computed from official U.S. Department of Education metrics (graduation, cost, earnings, selectivity and student diversity).
Admissions
63%
Acceptance rate
1,428
SAT average
33
ACT midpoint
Bars show the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of admitted students.
Cost & Financial Aid
$40,892
Average net price
$67,040
In-state tuition
$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
$19,064
Room & board
$800
Books & supplies
$85,606
Total cost of attendance
13%
Students receiving Pell grants
21%
Students with federal loans
$19,500
Median student debt
Average net price by family income
Net price is the average annual cost after grants and scholarships for federally-aided students.
Popular Majors
After Graduation
$78,354
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$65,556
Median earnings (6 yrs)
84%
Graduation rate
91%
Retention rate
86%
Earn more than a HS grad
$18,509
Instructional spend / student
Student Body
7,277
Total enrollment
2%
Part-time
20
Avg. age at entry
16%
First-generation
Gender balance
Race & ethnicity
Southern Methodist University FAQ
Is Southern Methodist University a public or private school?
Southern Methodist University is a private nonprofit institution located in Dallas, TX.
What is the acceptance rate at Southern Methodist University?
Southern Methodist University has an acceptance rate of 63%, based on the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
How much does Southern Methodist University cost?
The average annual net price at Southern Methodist University is $40,892 — the typical cost after grants and scholarships for federally-aided students. Published tuition is $67,040.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Methodist University?
About 84% of students at Southern Methodist University complete their degree, according to federal completion data.
How much do Southern Methodist University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Southern Methodist University students earn a median of $78,354 per year.
What SAT or ACT scores do you need for Southern Methodist University?
Admitted students at Southern Methodist University have an average SAT score of 1,428 and an ACT midpoint of 33. Requirements vary, so check the school's admissions office for the latest.
How many students attend Southern Methodist University?
Southern Methodist University enrolls about 7,277 students.
Campus
Campus photo via Wikimedia Commons — Spencerjc1 · CC BY-SA 3.0. Additional images are representative.
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