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Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX·Private·https://www.smu.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

Southern Methodist University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Dallas, TX. Approximately 7,277 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 63% acceptance rate. Corder Lake is about 11 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 45/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Southern Methodist University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Dallas, TX. Approximately 7,277 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 63% acceptance rate. Corder Lake is about 11 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 45/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

63%
Acceptance Rate
15,245 applications
32
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 30–34
$67,040
2024-25 Tuition
$40,892
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$19,064
Room & Board
7,277
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
18%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
84%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity63% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

670700740

SAT Math

670720750

Campus Lifestyle

Southern Methodist University is a 10,000–19,999, suburban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a greek life dominant Greek scene. The campus is 469 miles from Snow Creek Ski Area.

Athletics

NCAA D1

Atlantic Coast

Greek Life

Greek Life Dominant

38% frats · 44% sororities

School Size & Setting

10,000–19,999

Suburban setting

Ski Access

469 miles

Snow Creek Ski Area

Weather

Hot Climate

62°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Southern Methodist University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Snow Creek Ski Area, 469 miles away with 6 lifts and 30 skiable acres. All are within 630 miles of campus.

469 mi away
30 skiable acres6 lifts
591 mi away
50 skiable acres2 lifts

Nearby Lake

Corder Lake is 11 miles from campus, giving Southern Methodist University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Corder Lake

Lake access within 11.3 miles

11 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Dallas, TX

Dallas has a warm climate, with winters averaging 48°F in Jan and summers peaking around 87°F in Jul.

48°Jan52°Feb60°Mar67°Apr75°May83°Jun87°Jul87°Aug80°Sep69°Oct58°Nov50°Dec

Station: DALLAS FAA Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Southern Methodist University in TX earns a composite safety score of 45/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

45/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety514139
51/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
41/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
39/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$67,040
Fees
$6,772
Room & Board
$19,064
Total
$92,876
App Fee: $60
$40,892avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

182 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMaster's
690 grads/yr$140,799
Finance and Financial Management ServicesBachelor's
326 grads/yr$133,852
LawProfessional
221 grads/yr$153,614
EconomicsBachelor's
139 grads/yr$91,701
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
123 grads/yr$72,136

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's51 grads$188,716
Information Science/Studies
Master's grads$173,816
Computer Systems Analysis
Master's grads$172,353
Systems Engineering
Master's63 grads$163,769
Finance and Financial Management Services
Master's grads$155,769
Law
Professional221 grads$153,614
Real Estate
Master's grads$147,770
Applied Mathematics
Master's78 grads$144,761
Manufacturing Engineering
Master's40 grads$141,296
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Master's690 grads$140,799

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Southern Methodist University located?

Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, TX. The main campus address is 6425 Boaz St, Dallas, TX. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Southern Methodist University?

Southern Methodist University has an acceptance rate of 63%, making it moderately selective. Out of 15,245 applicants, 9,657 were admitted in the most recent year. 7,277 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Southern Methodist University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Southern Methodist University scored between 30 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 32. About 9% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Southern Methodist University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Southern Methodist University charges $67,040/year in tuition. Including room and board ($19,064/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $60,236/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $40,892/year — what students actually pay. Use Southern Methodist University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Southern Methodist University?

The undergraduate application fee at Southern Methodist University is $60. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Southern Methodist University have college sports?

Yes — Southern Methodist University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Atlantic Coast. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Southern Methodist University the right fit for me?

Whether Southern Methodist University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (63% admit rate), avg net price ($40,892/year after aid), campus culture in Dallas, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Southern Methodist University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Southern Methodist University directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Dallas, TX
Size
10,000–19,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Atlantic Coast
School Year Weather
Hot · 62°F avg
App Fee
$60
On Campus Safety Score
45/100
Nearest Airport
Dallas, TX (DAL) · 4 mialso DFW (15 mi), AFW (33 mi)

Location

Dallas, TX

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.