Southern Methodist University
#89 in National Universities (tie)
Overview
Southern Methodist University is a private institution that was founded in 1911. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,056 (fall 2022), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 234 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Southern Methodist University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #89. Its tuition and fees are $64,460.
Despite its name, this private university in Dallas is nonsectarian in its teaching. The school was founded by what became the United Methodist Church in 1911, but it is now home to students of many religious affiliations. Outdoor activities are plentiful in Dallas, a city that boasts an average of 232 days of sunshine a year. Students can check out the Dallas International Film Festival, which draws 40,000 viewers annually, or explore the more than 400 parks in the city. Students are required to live on campus for their first two years at SMU. The campus is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which comprises a Bush administration museum, library and public policy institute, and frequently hosts speakers. The SMU Mustangs sports teams play in the Division I American Athletic Conference, supported by mascot Peruna, a black stallion Shetland pony. About 2,000 students are involved in SMU Greek life, and all students can participate in annual events such as the Festival of Lights, a candlelit assembly on the school’s Main Quad each December, and the Mane Event, a celebration of spring complete with bands and food.
SMU has well-regarded graduate offerings at the Cox School of Business and its law school. Undergraduates can get a unique education through the SMU-in-Taos program, which sends students to the school’s campus in the mountains of New Mexico. In historic Fort Burgwin, students gain hands-on learning in courses such as anthropology, biology and astronomy. Notable SMU alumni include former first lady Laura Bush and the late television producer Aaron Spelling.
Southern Methodist University is a private institution that was founded in 1911. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,056 (fall 2022), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 234 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Southern Methodist University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #89. Its tuition and fees are $64,460.
Despite its name, this private university in Dallas is nonsectarian in its teaching. The school was founded by what became the United Methodist Church in 1911, but it is now home to students of many religious affiliations. Outdoor activities are plentiful in Dallas, a city that boasts an average of 232 days of sunshine a year. Students can check out the Dallas International Film Festival, which draws 40,000 viewers annually, or explore the more than 400 parks in the city. Students are required to live on campus for their first two years at SMU. The campus is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which comprises a Bush administration museum, library and public policy institute, and frequently hosts speakers. The SMU Mustangs sports teams play in the Division I American Athletic Conference, supported by mascot Peruna, a black stallion Shetland pony. About 2,000 students are involved in SMU Greek life, and all students can participate in annual events such as the Festival of Lights, a candlelit assembly on the school’s Main Quad each December, and the Mane Event, a celebration of spring complete with bands and food.
SMU has well-regarded graduate offerings at the Cox School of Business and its law school. Undergraduates can get a unique education through the SMU-in-Taos program, which sends students to the school’s campus in the mountains of New Mexico. In historic Fort Burgwin, students gain hands-on learning in courses such as anthropology, biology and astronomy. Notable SMU alumni include former first lady Laura Bush and the late television producer Aaron Spelling.
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At-a-Glance
Setting
Urban
Tuition & Fees
$64,460
Undergraduate Enrollment
7,056
Acceptance Rate
52%
2024 Rankings
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Admissions
Cost
Tuition & Fees
$64,460
Room & Board
$18,230(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$51,726
$40,452
$40,452
Tuition & Fees
$64,460
Room & Board
$18,230(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$51,726
*Average cost after aid
Academics
75%
11:1
56%
Popular Majors
MAJOR
% OF GRADUATES
ALUMNI STARTING SALARY
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
27%
$51,068
Social Sciences
11%
$53,691
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
10%
$48,156
Engineering
6%
$71,692
Mathematics and Statistics
6%
$71,143
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* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.
Faculty Research Impact
Bibliometric Rank
137
Bibliometrics is the statistical analyses of publications and citations for the purpose of measuring faculty research impact.Publications Cited in Top 25% of Journals
68%
Publications Cited in Top 5% of Journals
22%
Total Papers published between 2018-2022
4,233
Citations Per Publication
14:1
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Students
7,056
Graduate Enrollment
4,997
Total Enrollment
12,053
Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students
6,880
Student Diversity
Gender Distribution
Ethnic Diversity
33%
Minority Enrollment
33%
Minority Enrollment
61%
White
15%
Hispanic
8%
Asian
5%
Black
5%
Two or more races
4%
International
2%
Unknown
Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.
Campus Life
Housing and Dorms
Types of campus housing available:
Student Activities
71+
Sports Teams
15
Fraternities
14
Sororities
After College
Graduation Rate
75%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
25%
Average Debt at Graduation
$38,298
$62,462
$62,462
Graduation Rate
75%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
25%
Average Debt at Graduation
$38,298
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Reviews & Ratings
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Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.
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