Southern Methodist University

#72PrivateUrban
12,116
Total Students
7,285
Undergrads
4,831
Graduates
61%
Acceptance
📍 Dallas, TX
🎓 Est. 1911
🌐 Website
📊Admissions
61%
Acceptance Rate
3.61-3.95
Middle 50% GPA Range of Admitted Students
1290-1480
Composite Score
Middle 50% SAT Range of Admitted Students
29-33
Composite Score
Middle 50% ACT Range of Admitted Students

Acceptance Rate Trend

SAT Score Range Trend

(middle 50% of admitted students)

Application Timeline

🗓️
Early Application Deadline
November 1 (ED I & Early Action), January 15 (ED II & Regular)
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Decision Released
Mid-December
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Regular Decision Deadline
January 15
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Decision Released
Mid-March

Application Methods

Early Decision I
Early Action
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Transfer Admissions
⚖️Fit Profile

👍 Great Fit If You Are:

1

Strategic networkers

if you want elite academics plus business/political access, SMU’s Dallas location delivers.

2

Polished leaders

if you value presence, communication, and ambition in a structured setting, this is your scene.

3

Urban career seekers

if you want internships every semester, SMU connects you to them early and often.

4

Southern-cosmopolitan hybrids

if you love Southern hospitality but want global reach, SMU gives you both.

5

Presentation-oriented students

if you take pride in appearance, polish, and intentionality, you’ll thrive here.

🚨 Not Ideal For:

1

Hyper-liberal activists

the culture leans moderate-to-conservative; progressive voices exist but aren’t dominant.

2

Non-career-focused wanderers

SMU is driven, networked, and outcome-oriented; vague drifting won’t thrive.

3

Party-averse introverts

while you can find quieter circles, social life (especially Greek) is loud and proud.

4

Public school price shoppers

SMU is expensive and expects students to utilize what they pay for.

5

Nature lovers

urban, polished, and planned; this is not a tree-filled campus of rustic stillness.

📍Campus Location
College location map
👨‍🎓Student Life

☀️ Weather & Climate

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spring

60-75°F (16-24°C)

Warm with showers

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summer

75-95°F (24-35°C)

Hot and humid

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fall

55-80°F (13-27°C)

Mild and pleasant

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winter

40-60°F (4-16°C)

Mild with occasional cold spells

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Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters

☀️Average 234 sunny days per year

👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 Demographics

9%
International Students

Gender Ratio

Female
51%
Male
49%

Ethnic Distribution

White
63.5%
Hispanic
16.2%
International
9%
Asian
8.1%
African_american
7.7%
MultiRace
4.2%

📚 Popular Majors

Business Administration
Communication
Economics
Engineering
Psychology
💰Annual Tuition
In-State$61,880
Out-of-State$61,880
🍽️Dining & Nearby Areas

Campus Area Dining

University Park
Highland Park

Nearby Areas

Downtown Dallas
5 miles

Urban center with diverse dining options

Price Range: $$
Bishop Arts District
4 miles

Eclectic neighborhood with independent eateries

Price Range: $$
💸Career Outcomes
$60,700
Median Earnings
94%
Employment Rate
$58,100
Starting Salary
A
Career Grade

Top Employers

EY
Fidelity Investments
Gartner
Goldman Sachs
Guggenheim

Top Graduate School Destinations

Yale University
Rutgers University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Washington
University of Chicago