Southern Methodist University
private · Founded 1911 · Dallas, TX
Acceptance Rate
61.20%
Enrollment
11,842
Tuition & Fees
$71,708
Graduation Rate
83.00%
Retention Rate
90.00%
Off-Campus Needed
6,513
SMU Report Card
Letter grades compare this school against national university benchmarks.
Academics
Selectivity, test scores, retention, and faculty access.
Value
Cost, aid, grants, and post-graduation earnings.
Diversity
Economic access, geographic mix, and gender balance.
Location
Safety, walkability, transit, and student nightlife.
Campus
Housing capacity, student body scale, and campus setting.
Outcomes
Graduation, retention, employment, and earnings.
Grades are benchmarked against national profile data. View methodology
Can You Get Into SMU?
SMU admitted just 9,240 of 15,092 applicants — a 61.20% acceptance rate
Admissions Snapshot
3% above state avg
40% below state avg
Test Scores (Middle 50%)
SAT Reading & Writing
660–730
SAT Math
660–750
ACT Composite
30–34
Coming to SMU from out of state?
59% of freshmen aren't from Texas. If you're moving for SMU, start your housing search early — only 45.00% of students can live on campus.
Browse Housing Near SMUWhat Will SMU Cost You?
Most students don't pay sticker price — 70.00% receive financial aid
Sticker Price
1% above national avg
Per-credit cost: $2,389 (part-time)
Financial Aid & Grants
Your estimated net price
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Housing Cost
SMU's on-campus room and board adds up to $18,230 per year ($1,519/month). Many students find that off-campus apartments offer more space, kitchen access, and flexibility — often at a lower monthly cost.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus (avg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Housing | $11,250 | Varies |
| Monthly Equivalent | $938/mo | See listings |
| Meal Plan | $6,980 (required) | Flexible |
| Availability | 3,251 beds only | Hundreds of options |
What Can You Study at SMU?
Most Popular Undergraduate Majors
Finance, General.
325 graduates · 24.92% women
Economics, General.
126 graduates · 24.6% women
Psychology, General.
115 graduates · 85.22% women
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
99 graduates · 66.67% women
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
99 graduates · 38.38% women
Computer Science.
95 graduates · 15.79% women
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
88 graduates · 78.41% women
Accounting.
62 graduates · 50% women
Political Science and Government, General.
55 graduates · 61.82% women
Real Estate.
55 graduates · 30.91% women
Your major at this school
Grad students need housing too
With 4,727 graduate students and only 3,251 total dorm beds, most grad students live off campus.
See Apartments Popular with Grad StudentsWhat's It Like at SMU?
Dallas, TX — suburb
Student Body
Where Freshmen Come From
From your state to this school
Student Demographics
SMU Photos
Campus images from the university profile
Neighborhoods near SMU
Where students live around Southern Methodist University — vibe, walkability, and commute at a glance.
How Does SMU Compare?
Institutional resources and student-faculty ratios
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
Peer Institutions
Schools that SMU reports as peers for academic and admissions benchmarking.
Will You Succeed at SMU?
90.00% of freshmen return for sophomore year — 83.00% graduate within 6 years
Graduation Rates
6% above state avg
21% above state avg
6-Year Graduation by Group
SMU Reviews
Student perspectives on academics, campus life, and housing fit
Be the first student to review this university.
6,513 SMU Students Need Off-Campus Housing
With 11,842 students and only 3,251 dorm beds, 55% of SMU students live off campus.
7,115
Undergraduates
4,727
Graduate Students
6,513
Need Off-Campus Housing
Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics. University Apartments is not affiliated with Southern Methodist University.