Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University has an acceptance rate of 63.3%, annual tuition of $67,040, average net price of $40,892, and a national rank of #261 (Grade A-), with a 84.3% graduation rate within 150% of normal time, about 7,277 undergraduates, and median earnings of $95,051 four years after graduation. Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Southern Methodist University is a private nonprofit university in Dallas, TX. Students most often pursue Finance and Financial Management Services and Operations Research.
Academically, students benefit from a 11:1 student-faculty ratio, and 90.5% first-year retention. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.
EDsmart calculates return on investment at 55.5%, roughly 5.6 points higher than typical outcomes. It's a compelling fit for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Southern Methodist University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Southern Methodist University graduates 84.3% of students within 150% of normal time (the completion rate used in EDsmart rankings), with an 8-year award rate of 82.2% and keeps 90.5% of first-year students. Affordability earns a D+ compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Southern Methodist University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $67,040 |
| Books and Supplies | $800 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $19,064 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $2,698 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $85,606 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 12.8% of Southern Methodist University students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $23,544 to $58,213 depending on family income. Use Southern Methodist University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $33,477/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $58,213/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- Median Earnings (4 Years After Graduation) $95,051
- 10-Year Median Earnings $78,354
- Average Years to Graduate 4.2 years
- Average Student Debt $19,500
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 75.0%
- Employment Rate 89.3%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Southern Methodist University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Southern Methodist University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Southern Methodist University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Southern Methodist University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: Southern Methodist University graduates earn $95,051 median four years after graduation, +57% above the national average. Earnings vary significantly by major—research your field's outcomes.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 670-740
- SAT Math 670-750
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 30-34
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 7,277
- Full-Time Students 98.2%
- Part-Time Students 1.8%
- Retention Rate 90.5%
- Grad Rate (150% time) 84.3%
- Grad Rate (8-year) 82.2%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 11:1
How to Get Into Southern Methodist University
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Southern Methodist University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 63.3%, Southern Methodist University is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 63.3% acceptance rate, Southern Methodist University is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1340 and 1490 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Southern Methodist University undergraduates. Finance and Financial Management Services, Economics, and Mathematics draw the most students.
- Finance and Financial Management Services 14.3%
- Economics 8.2%
- Mathematics 5.4%
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communi 4.9%
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnes 4.3%
- Marketing 4.1%
See more majors
- Mechanical Engineering 3.9%
- Accounting and Related Services 3.8%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Finance and Financial Management Services $131,515
- 2. Operations Research $123,913
- 3. Business Administration, Management and Operations $116,818
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Computer Science $116,586
- 5. Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics $101,801
- 6. Economics $96,927
- 7. Marketing $95,864
- 8. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $95,549
- 9. Mechanical Engineering $95,148
- 10. Accounting and Related Services $94,535
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Master's Degree) $159,581
- 2. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $155,390
- 3. Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degree) $150,080
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Law (First Professional Degree) $146,572
- 5. Marketing (Master's Degree) $140,280
- 6. Systems Engineering (Master's Degree) $137,839
- 7. Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degree) $137,458
- 8. Computer Systems Analysis (Master's Degree) $133,925
- 9. Computer Engineering (Master's Degree) $130,488
- 10. Information Science/Studies (Master's Degree) $127,788
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Finance and Financial Management Services grads earn $131,515—39% more than Accounting and Related Services ($94,535). Graduate: Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs lead with $159,581 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Southern Methodist University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree, 287 graduates)
- Law (First Professional Degree, 215 graduates)
- Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree, 175 graduates)
- Economics (Bachelor's Degree, 165 graduates)
- Education, Other (Master's Degree, 123 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (61 programs)▼
- Finance and Financial Management Services
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Marketing
- Mechanical Engineering
- Accounting and Related Services
- Biology, General
- Psychology, General
- Political Science and Government
- Computer Science
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Statistics
- Journalism
- Public Policy Analysis
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Operations Research
- Music
- Real Estate
- Communication and Media Studies
- History
- Fine and Studio Arts
- International/Global Studies
- Philosophy
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- English Language and Literature, General
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Sociology
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
- Chemistry
- Dance
- Anthropology
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Education, General
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Area Studies
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Design and Applied Arts
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Computer Engineering
- Physics
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Social Sciences, General
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Management Information Systems and Services
- Insurance
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Engineering, General
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Data Science
Online Master's Degrees (47 programs)▼
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Education, Other
- Finance and Financial Management Services
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Applied Mathematics
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Real Estate
- Computer Systems Analysis
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Graphic Communications
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
- Marketing
- Music
- Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management
- Economics
- Statistics
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- History
- Biology, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Anthropology
- Religious/Sacred Music
- Physics
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Special Education and Teaching
- Psychology, General
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Chemistry
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Management Information Systems and Services
- Housing and Human Environments
- Engineering Science
- Dance
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Online Doctoral Degrees (24 programs)▼
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Mechanical Engineering
- Statistics
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Civil Engineering
- Chemistry
- Applied Mathematics
- Physics
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Education, Other
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- History
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Biology, General
- Anthropology
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Religious/Sacred Music
- Economics
- Systems Engineering
- Fine and Studio Arts
- English Language and Literature, General
- Engineering, General
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (10 programs)▼
- Graphic Communications
- Music
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Special Education and Teaching
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Economics
- Computer Engineering
Online First Professional Degrees (1 program)▼
- Law
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 7,277
- Full-Time Students 98.2%
- Part-Time Students 1.8%
- Male Students 48.8%
- Female Students 51.2%
- Caucasian 56.2%
- Asian 8.3%
- Hispanic 17.7%
- Black 5.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients 12.8%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Southern Methodist University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Southern Methodist University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Southern Methodist University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Southern Methodist University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: About 12.8% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Southern Methodist University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Southern Methodist University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Southern Methodist University offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with 55.5% ROI. Ranked #261 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $40,892 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $95,051 median earnings. With 84.3% graduating within 150% of normal time and 90.5% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Southern Methodist University's Positioning
With a A- grade and #261 ranking, Southern Methodist University competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $40,892 annually, Southern Methodist University charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 90.5% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $28,624 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The 55.5% ROI and $95,051 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $30,892+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Southern Methodist University ranks #261 of 1947 institutions, with 1198 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 84.3% graduation rate sits 21.8 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 90.5% first-year retention is 13.7 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- 55.5% return on investment is 5.6 points above the national 49.9% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $95,051 run about 57% higher than national outcomes four years after graduation.
- Average net price of $40,892 is roughly $20,813 higher than the national median of $20,079.
Helpfulness for Students
- 11:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 90.5% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 89.3% employment rate within three years sits 21.1 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $40,892 is about $20,813 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 12.8% trails the national share by 21.7 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University operates as a private nonprofit university and receives a A- from EDsmart. It holds a #261 national ranking Category results include Completion (A), Support (A-), Career Outcomes (A), and Affordability (D+).
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
Student momentum is strong: 90.5% retention, 84.3% graduation within 150% of normal time, and 82.2% earning an award within eight years. Return on investment currently measures 55.5% for this program.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $40,892 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $85,606.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $44,714 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $19,500 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 12.8% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $95,051 four years after graduation. That sits about 57% above the national median.
Employment outcomes report about 89.3% of alumni working within three years.
The ROI comes in near 55.5%, which you can cross-check against your financial plan.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
63.3% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Southern Methodist University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southern Methodist University's acceptance rate?
Southern Methodist University's acceptance rate is 63.3%, based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard admissions data.
How much does Southern Methodist University cost?
At Southern Methodist University, listed tuition and fees are $67,040 per year, and the average net price after aid is $40,892. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What is Southern Methodist University's ranking?
Southern Methodist University ranks #261 nationally in EDsmart's 2026 college rankings with an overall grade of A-, based on completion, affordability, support, and career outcomes.
What is Southern Methodist University's graduation rate?
At Southern Methodist University, the graduation rate within 150% of normal time is 84.3% (the rate used in EDsmart rankings), College Scorecard 8-year award rate is 82.2%, and first-year retention is 90.5%.
What are Southern Methodist University's job outcomes?
Graduates of Southern Methodist University report median earnings of $95,051 four years after graduation, according to College Scorecard federal outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
What is Southern Methodist University's student population?
Southern Methodist University enrolls about 7,277 undergraduate students, per College Scorecard enrollment data.
Contact Information
- Address Dallas, TX 75275-0221
- Website www.smu.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
- Endowment$2.02B
- Transfer Enrollment Rate10.1%