Overview
Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Dallas, Texas. There are currently 7,106 undergraduates at SMU and the school’s acceptance rate is 61%. The tuition at SMU is $64,460.
SMU is affiliated with the United Methodist faith. Many schools have religious affiliations but only some of them incorporate their affiliation in a way that shapes the student experience. If you have any questions about the role of the United Methodist faith at SMU, be sure to reach out to their admissions officers.
University
Suburb
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$86,090
$44,312
$41,778
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$86,090The sticker price at SMU is $86,090. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at SMU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Southern Methodist University Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at SMU you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for SMU is 003613 and the CSS Profile Code is 6660.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Texas scholarshipsNational Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Southern Methodist University? SMU offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check SMU's website for more information!
Pell Grants at Southern Methodist University
11% of students at Southern Methodist University receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at SMU. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Admissions
61%
33
1398
Coalition Colleges
SMU is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to SMU via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Is SMU test-optional?
Southern Methodist University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What is the application deadline at SMU?
Early Action
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
11:1
Graduation Rate
83%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
32%
32% of graduates
Social Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
8%
8% of graduates
Engineering
7%
7% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
6%
6% of graduates
Psychology
6%
6% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
5%
5% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Mathematics
4%
4% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
2%
2% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
2%
2% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
1%
1% of graduates
Education
1%
1% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
7,106
Pell Grant 12%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 2%
Undergrad Students Over 25 2%
Percent Male / Female 49% / 51%
Ethnic Diversity at SMU
58% White
16% Hispanic
8% Asian / Pacific Islander
5% Black
5% Multiracial
4% International / Non-Citizen
3% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$78,354
Median Debt $19,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $207
Graduation Rate 83%
What is the graduation rate at Southern Methodist University?
83% of students who start at Southern Methodist University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 25% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Southern Methodist University go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Southern Methodist University is $78,354. This is $27,963 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Southern Methodist University who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at SMU take out in loans?
Graduates of SMU take out a median of $19,500 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Southern Methodist University and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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