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Southern Methodist University

Private

Dallas, TX

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Southern Methodist University is a private mid-sized school in Dallas, TX, enrolling about 7,277 undergraduates. Southern Methodist University is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 63%. Among reported majors, Finance and Financial Management Services shows the strongest outcomes -- $133,852/year in median earnings four years after graduation. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate63%
SAT range1340–1490
ACT range30–34
Undergrads7,277
Yield (admits who enroll)19%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$85,606
4-year grad rate84%
Median earnings, 10yr out$78,354

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Southern Methodist University weighs your application

From Southern Methodist University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankImportant
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresImportant
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsVery important
Nonacademic factors
InterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesImportant
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceNot considered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans21%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out75%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$78,466/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Finance and Financial Management Services$133,852/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$106,799/yr
Accounting and Related Services$103,675/yr
Marketing$88,627/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$89,330/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$126,590/yr
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering$90,649/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$93,769/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$111,773/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$62,838/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$72,136/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$91,701/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$35,844/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity3,403
Typical room charge$10,974
Typical board charge$6,776

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Southern Methodist University look for in applicants?

Per Southern Methodist University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, application essay, recommendations as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Southern Methodist University's acceptance rate?

Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX admits approximately 63% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Southern Methodist University?

Admitted students at Southern Methodist University typically score between 1340–1490 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Southern Methodist University?

Admitted students at Southern Methodist University typically score between 30–34 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Southern Methodist University cost?

Southern Methodist University's total cost of attendance is reported at $85,606 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Southern Methodist University?

Southern Methodist University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Southern Methodist University require students to live on campus?

No -- Southern Methodist University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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