A+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    A+
  2. Value
    A
  3. Diversity
    A-
  4. Campus
    A
  5. Athletics
    A+
  6. Party Scene
    A+
  7. Professors
    A+
  8. Location
    A
  9. Dorms
    B+
  10. Campus Food
    B+
  11. Student Life
    A
  12. Safety
    B-
View Full Report Card
Southern Methodist University is ...
Private not-for-profit, Methodist
Athletic Division
NCAA Division I-FBS
Athletic Conference
American Athletic Conference
Address
6425 Boaz St
Dallas, TX 75275
Website
smu.edu

Southern Methodist University Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate
49%
SAT Range
1220-1410
ACT Range
28-32
Application Fee
$60
SAT/ACT
Required
High School GPA
Required
Will You Get In?

Test Scores and GPA for Southern Methodist University

Cost

Net Price
$36,602/ year
National
$15,403
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Net Price by Household Income
  • <$30k
    $21,508/ year
  • $30-48k
    $21,887/ year
  • $49-75k
    $23,790/ year
  • $76-110k
    $32,468/ year
  • $110k+
    $43,191/ year

Academics

Professors
A+
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
11:1
Evening Degree Programs
Yes
89%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.72 responses
60%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.80 responses
65%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.80 responses

Majors

Most Popular Majors
  • Economics
    188 Graduates
  • Finance
    164 Graduates
  • Accounting
    109 Graduates
  • Psychology
    96 Graduates
  • Sport and Fitness Management
    92 Graduates
  • Marketing
    79 Graduates
  • Mathematics & Statistics
    79 Graduates
  • Advertising
    78 Graduates
  • Communications
    70 Graduates
  • Biology
    62 Graduates

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
6,160Undergrads
Undergrads Over 25
3%
Pell Grant
10%
Varsity Athletes
7%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 51 responses
Report
  • Work hard Play hard
    29%
  • Rich
    20%
  • Hot, smart, rich, rude, work hard play hard
    12%
  • High achievers & entitled
    10%
  • High acheiving
    10%
  • White, upper-middle class, not street-smart at all
    8%
  • Cold
    4%

Campus Life

Freshmen Live On-Campus
98%
Poll
62%
of students say that Greek life is pretty big.108 responses
Poll
52%
of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.116 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 55 responses
Report
  • Work hard, play hard
    33%
  • Growing
    20%
  • Fratty
    16%
  • Lavish
    9%
  • A lot of cliques
    7%
  • Engage yourself
    5%
  • Interesting
    4%

After College

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$52,200/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
79%
National
48%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
94%
National
83%
88%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.50 responses
Colleges like Southern Methodist University
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Southern Methodist University Reviews

1,362 reviews
All Categories
SMU is not perfect, nor is any school, but I am so thrilled to be a part of the amazing community here. The campus is beautiful, the professors are world-class, and everyone actually wants to see each student succeed. I am a science student (which SMU is not known for) but I still find myself learning and being challenged as much as my friends at big STEM schools. The Cox business school is unparalleled, the Meadows art school is highly regarded, and a degree from SMU sets you up for a bright future. There is nothing like being so connected to campus through boulevarding (tailgating before football games, a very SMU-experience), being in the MOB (basketball student section), and having access to everything the school has to offer its students. I love SMU and am looking forward to another three amazing years here!
Review Southern Methodist University
During freshman orientation, we got to explore the beautiful campus, talk to upperclassmen and ask them any questions, and got one-on-one advising when making our fall schedules. The days approaching orientation, I thought I would be alone since I was the only one from my high school attending SMU. However, when I arrived, I made instant connections; the group I was with quickly became the first friends I would make before even starting college. SMU priority during freshman orientation was not making sure we got registered for college or making sure our schedules were perfect, it was making sure that the incoming freshman class was comfortable to start making connections with people we never meet before and that the upperclassmen made sure the freshman knew that they would be there for us if we needed anything. Although I haven't started my freshman year of college yet, I am looking forward to starting it my SMU.
Looking back, I wouldn't have chosen to go anywhere else! There are things I would change about SMU, but it is already changing so much every year and improving. Campus life is severely lacking, but the new freshman dorms are helping to change that. SMU's professors are some of the best! They are easy-going, smart, dedicated and very accessible. Small class sizes were very important to me and SMU has that. Also, don't believe anyone when they tell you SMU isn't accepting. Yes, the students are somewhat conservative, politically, but they aren't hateful people. SMU's location is Dallas is very valuable for internships and post-grad employment as well, not to mention how fun it is just to live there.