Southern Methodist University

Think Big in a Global Research University

Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas, Texas. SMU’s alumni, faculty and 11,000-plus students in seven degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world.

SMU celebrates diversity, with students from all 50 states and more than 90 nations, as well as a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. More than 55 percent of SMU undergraduate students come from outside Texas. Undergraduate enrollment includes nearly 27 percent of students from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

SMU has 1,190 full- and part-time faculty members, and more than 80 percent of full-time faculty hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 11-to-1. About three out of four classes contain 30 students or fewer.

  • SMU is in an elite group of only 300 schools nationwide that are worth the investment and deliver the best bang for the tuition buck, according to Forbes’ Best Value Colleges ranking
  • SMU’s rise to No. 56 in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” puts it in the top tier of best national universities
  • SMU is in the top 3% in alumni employment among 1,000 universities ranked by the Center for World University Rankings
  • Payscale ranks SMU among the top 21% of universities by return on investment; median salary: nearly $80K within five years in a career
  • SMU ranked among the top 1% of highest-paid music, education and psychology graduates by College Factual

Academics

Students can choose from more than 100 majors and 85 minors. One in five SMU students opts to pursue a double major. Students can customize their education by combining a major in the humanities or sciences with another in engineering, business or the arts for a dual degree.

SMU’s degree-granting schools for undergraduates:

The Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences is SMU’s largest and most diverse academic unit. It is home to the humanities and social, natural and mathematical sciences—disciplines that are the core of higher education.

The Cox School of Business equips students with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to become business leaders. Major publications, including Bloomberg Businessweek, The Economist and Forbes, rank SMU Cox among the top business schools nationally and globally.

The Lyle School of Engineering, ranked among the top 10% of schools for highest-paid engineering graduates by College Factual, prepares today’s engineering students to be tomorrow’s innovators equipped with both technical and leadership skills.

The Meadows School of the Arts prepares students to lead professional careers in the arts and communications and provides opportunities for all SMU students to grow in appreciation of the arts.

The Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development prepares exemplary professionals and advances knowledge through evidence-based research.

Students at SMU can also opt to focus on specialized studies through degree-track programs such as pre-law, pre-health, physical therapy and biomedical research.

SMU’s undergraduate curriculum is complemented by the nationally recognized Dedman School of Law, offering a personalized legal education in a community of distinguished scholars, and Perkins School of Theology, which prepares women and men for faithful leadership in vital Christian ministry.

Other academic opportunities include:

  • Engaged Learning: Undergraduate students participate in scholarly research, civic engagement, professional internships and creative activity related to education goals. Eighty-two percent of Engaged Learning graduates reported that their projects led to employment or graduate school.
  • Students can expand their horizons with SMU Abroad’s 150-plus programs in more than 50 countries to study for a semester, a summer or a year.
  • The unique SMU-in-Taos program brings history, science and art to life at SMU’s spectacular campus in Northern New Mexico.
  • The Dallas Advantage: Dallas, home to 20-plus Fortune 500 company headquarters, is a leading national center for business, innovation, culture and service, providing students with many opportunities. Each year, more than 1,000 Dallas-area businesses offer 4,400-plus internships and experiential learning opportunities to SMU students.
  • The Meadows Museum houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Spanish art outside Spain. A partnership with Madrid’s Prado Museum includes the loan of major paintings from the Prado and an internship exchange.
  • SMU is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. This is the first presidential library to share the campus of a private university.

Residential Life

Approximately 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students live on campus in 11 Residential Commons and six upperclass/graduate communities. The Residential Commons enable all first- and second-year students to live on campus and include on-site classes, social activities and Faculty in Residence.

Student Life

  • SMU hosts more than 400 performances, concerts and exhibits on campus during the school year. The Tate Lecture Series brings world changers and experts to campus. Recent speakers have included Condoleezza Rice, Robert Edsel, Scott Kelly and Brandon Stanton.
  • Students can make their mark, meet new people and develop leadership skills through about 200 clubs and organizations spanning a variety of activities, including religious, multicultural and Greek life organizations.
  • Students completed 9,144 hours of service to local and global communities through Community Engagement and Leadership programs and organizations in 2016–2017 for an estimated economic impact of $220,736.
  • Students participate in Alternative Breaks national service projects.
  • SMU has 17 NCAA Division I athletics programs, including the Mustang football team, which has played in three recent bowl games. Mustang spirit and traditions make for memories that will last a lifetime.
  • Students can stay in shape at the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports with the latest fitness equipment. 

Admission Website

smu.edu/admission

Admission

  • The Early Action (nonbinding) and Early Decision I (binding) deadline is November 1.
  • The Regular Decision (nonbinding) and Early Decision II (binding) deadline is January 15.

Required Application Materials

SMU carefully considers each application with the goal of adding dimension to its diverse, ambitious community of scholars. The strongest applications are not always those with the greatest number of accomplishments, but those that resonate with authenticity and passion.

For more admission information, please visit smu.edu/admission.

Financial Aid

In addition to providing a valuable education with lifelong benefits, SMU partners with families to manage the cost of that education. Besides academic scholarships and customized financial aid packages for eligible students, SMU offers several payment plans. Competitive academic scholarships include the President’s Scholars Program, the Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program and scholarships offered by SMU’s individual schools.

  • SMU Net Price Calculator
  • SMU’s graduation rate is 78%.
  • Three out of four SMU undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance from the University, including academic or need-based aid.
  • 65% of undergraduate students graduate debt-free.
  • For the 2017–18 academic year, undergraduate tuition and fees is $52,498; average housing and dining is $16,510.
  • The average size of an undergraduate's scholarship and need-based financial package is $28,346.

For more information regarding Financial Aid, visit smu.edu/financialaid.

Additional Information

The best way for students to get a feel for SMU is to visit. SMU offers many structured visits, such as Mustang Days, when prospective students can meet current students, talk with academic representatives and tour campus. Prospective students can also attend an information session, speak with an admission counselor and tour on a weekday or selected Saturday.

To register for a visit, visit smu.edu/visit.