Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX · Large suburb
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 63.3%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 15,092
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 9,240
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 1,592
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 17%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 64%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 59%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 670–740
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 670–750
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 30–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 17% / 15%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $85,606
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $67,040
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $67,040
- Median debt at graduation
- $19,500
- Students with federal loans
- 21%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 84%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 91%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $67,114
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $78,354
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 7,277
- Graduate students
- 4,831
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 11 : 1
- Women
- 51%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 13%
- Full-time faculty
- 69%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- R Gerald Turner
- Main phone
- (214) 768-2000
- Address
- 6425 Boaz St, Dallas, TX 75275-0221
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | — |
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | mid-December |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 15 | March 1 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | — |
- Apply with
- Common App, ApplyTexas, Coalition/Scoir
- Application fee
- Free
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor; teacher recommendation optional
Testing: Fully test-optional; scores needed for academic merit scholarship consideration
Financial aid policies
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: Academic merit scholarships; applicants without test scores not considered for them
- FAFSA and CSS Profile due November 10 (EA/ED I) or January 15 (RD/ED II)
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 80.3% (424 of 528)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 4,249 / 1,074 / 243
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: smu.edu, smu.edu, smu.edu, smu.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.