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Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX
Southern Methodist University, located in Dallas, Texas, is a prestigious private institution known for its strong academic programs, vibrant campus life, and engaged community. With a history dating back to 1911, SMU has flourished into a leading research university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across seven schools and colleges. The university prides itself on providing a liberal arts education foundation, combined with professional preparation, creating well-rounded individuals ready to take on the challenges of today's world.
SMU offers students a diverse and inclusive community, embracing a culture of intellectual curiosity and innovation. The university is known for its commitment to fostering leadership, critical thinking, and global perspectives. Students have access to world-class faculty who are experts in their fields and renowned for their research, ensuring a high-quality educational experience. Additionally, SMU's vibrant campus life offers numerous extracurricular activities, including over 200 student organizations, NCAA Division I athletics, and a thriving arts scene, providing students with ample opportunities to explore their passions and develop new skills.
Located in the heart of Dallas, SMU benefits from its diverse and dynamic surroundings. The city offers endless career opportunities, internships, and cultural experiences, enabling students to translate their classroom knowledge into real-world applications. SMU's strong ties to the Dallas business, cultural, and political communities provide students with unique networking opportunities and connections that can lead to internships, fellowships, and career placements. With its commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and global innovation, SMU is a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded, impactful education experience.
Southern Methodist University is a private university located in Dallas, TX and set in an urban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 61%. The freshman retention rate at Southern Methodist University is 90% and the six-year graduation rate is 83%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is July 31. To find out more about what Southern Methodist University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
7,115
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
61%
Acceptance Rate
$59,500
Tuition
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
83%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly improve. Discover some relevant info about admission policy and requirements at Southern Methodist University.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 9,240 in 2024. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 17% and ACT scores 15%. 55% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 41% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 4% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 85, 14.5 between 24-29 and 0.5 in the range between 18-23.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2024 was 32 while the average GPA was 3.7. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 709 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 727.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by July 31.
61%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Southern Methodist University was 90% in 2024, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 83%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the institution had an enrollment of 11,842 students.
That year, the school had 54% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 7,115, 257 of which were foreign students. 282 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 4,605 male and 4,755 female full-time students in 2024. There were 1,174 full-time graduate male and 1,230 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 578 Asian students and 381 Afro-American students in 2024. 1,163 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 337 as multirace. The school also had 8 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 26 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 210 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important facts on Southern Methodist University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
Tuition in 2024 was $59,500 for full-time domestic students. As Southern Methodist University is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2024 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $7,538.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial factor. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $876.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Southern Methodist University was $19,064 per academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,870.
| Tuition | $ 59,500 |
| Room and Board | $ 19,064 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 876 |
| Total Expense | $ 79,440 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid available at Southern Methodist University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 535 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $51,592 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
2,041 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 2,127. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $5,161,329, and state $4,142,294. The students of Southern Methodist University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $76,308,651, and external in the amount of $1,489,749.
$29,798
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
450 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2024. 130 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $67,522,380. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $2,660,018 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
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Undergraduate - Spring
Undergraduate - Spring
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Spring
Application Deadline: 2024-11-01
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Undergraduate - Summer
Undergraduate - Summer
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Summer
Application Deadline: 2025-05-31
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Undergraduate - Fall
Undergraduate - Fall
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Fall
Application Deadline: 2025-07-15
Majors
Faculty
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2024, this ratio at Southern Methodist University was 11:1. That means that there were 11 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 1,125 teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 656 male and 469 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Southern Methodist University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Southern Methodist University.
Its campus spans 234 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 180 open-membership organizations at Southern Methodist University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 25 percent of male and 31 of female students take part in in different organizations at Southern Methodist University. The student organization that is most favored by students is SPARC (Students Promoting Awareness, Responsibility, and Citizenship), followed by Residence Hall Association and Student Foundation. Other popular student organizations at this school are Student Senate and Program Council.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Southern Methodist University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Southern Methodist University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Southern Methodist University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Southern Methodist University.
All in all, campus life at Southern Methodist University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Southern Methodist University.
Career Counselling
At Southern Methodist University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 59,500 USD per academic year for Southern Methodist University.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Southern Methodist University is 61%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Southern Methodist University is 90%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.