Overview
Enrollment
Southern Methodist University occupies a 234-acre campus in University Park, a residential area of north Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, SMU features Georgian Revival architecture throughout its main campus, including Dallas Hall, its first and most iconic building. The private university comprises seven degree-granting schools, with particular academic strengths in business, engineering, and the arts, while the Cox School of Business and Meadows School of the Arts have gained national recognition. SMU maintains a residential college system where most undergraduate students live on campus for at least two years, and the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Mustangs, participating in the American Athletic Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
SMU is rated within the top 16% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Southern Methodist University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#71 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#65 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Colleges in Texas
#3 in Best Private Colleges in Texas
#358 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#12 in Best Value Colleges in Texas
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1320/1480 |
| ACT | 30/34 |
| GPA | 3.68 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $60 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $800 |
| Other Fees | $7,248 |
| Room and Board | $18,230 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,600 |
| Total One Year Cost | $86,090 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 22% |
| Social Sciences | 16% |
| Communication | 11% |
| Engineering | 9% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering SMU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=228246 IPEDS survey data for Southern Methodist University.
Current students may use the Southern Methodist University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025