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Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private · Large suburb · Carnegie R1/R2 · SMU

Private institution in Dallas, TX · 7,106 undergraduates · 61% acceptance rate · $78,354 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price
$41,7781,921st cheapest of 1,969 reporting
In-state tuition & fees
$64,4601,975th cheapest of 2,024 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees
$64,4601,975th cheapest of 2,024 reporting
Cost of attendance
$82,5321,928th cheapest of 1,969 reporting
Median graduate debt
$19,500570th lowest of 1,865 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry
$78,354157th highest of 1,954 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry
$65,556145th highest of 1,950 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year)
83.3%164th highest of 2,014 reporting
Full-time retention
89.6%256th highest of 1,837 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate
61.2%422nd most selective of 1,596 reporting
Average SAT
142478th highest of 1,022 reporting
Median ACT
3334th highest of 952 reporting

Campus

Undergraduates
7,106363rd largest of 2,144 reporting
Student-faculty ratio
11.0:1608th smallest of 2,141 reporting
Pell Grant share
11.9%2,018th highest of 2,122 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 4 mi (DAL)

On 5 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Applying

Common App member
Yes
Application fee
Free
Personal essay
Required
Writing supplement
No

Supplemental prompts (2025-26)

  • SMU appeals to students for a variety of reasons. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending SMU and what specific factors have led you to apply. (250-word limit)
  • SMU is a diverse and welcoming learning environment shaped by the convergence of ideas and cultures. How will your unique experiences enhance the University, and how will you benefit from this community? (250-word limit)

Source: Aristotle Circle 2025-26 supplemental prompt roundup

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 68 reported programs.

FieldLevel1 yr2 yr
Operations ResearchEngineeringbachelors$76,460$76,460
Computer Sciencebachelors$75,989$76,460
Finance and Financial Management ServicesBusinessbachelors$71,661$73,446
Mechanical EngineeringEngineeringbachelors$68,858$73,035
MathematicsMathematics & Statisticsbachelors$66,401$61,814
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBusinessbachelors$59,045$52,198
MarketingBusinessbachelors$57,318$59,576
EconomicsSocial Sciencesbachelors$55,443$62,012
Design and Applied ArtsVisual & Performing Artsbachelors$52,733$42,728
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLiberal Artsbachelors$48,667$43,128
Health and Physical Education/FitnessParks, Recreation & Fitnessbachelors$47,729$49,625
Fine and Studio ArtsVisual & Performing Artsbachelors$47,260$35,276

Campus facts

Athletics — 10 sports

NCAA Division I-FBS · NCAA Division I

Athletic scholarships allowed · Athletic aid $26,107,776 (M $14,048,800 · W $12,058,976)

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport.

Notable alumni

Illustrative alumni only — not exhaustive and not a quality ranking. Affiliation claims cite Wikipedia/Wikidata; confirm on primary bios before relying on them.

Nearest undergraduate enrollment to Southern Methodist University’s 7,106 (College Scorecard UGDS, compiled 2026-10-24). Size only — not a judgment of similarity or quality.

In TX

Elsewhere