Southern Methodist University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Southern Methodist University is a private institution located in Dallas, Texas with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Southern Methodist University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 48%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1410 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $40,892 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Southern Methodist University?

55% of enrolled students at Southern Methodist University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.69, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What does Southern Methodist University weight in admissions?

Southern Methodist University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores Southern Methodist University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 670–750, with an EBRW midpoint near 700. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–34. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does Southern Methodist University actually cost?

Published tuition is $67,040 for in-state students and $67,040 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,064 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $40,892 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 13% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for Southern Methodist University

Will my child graduate from Southern Methodist University?

These predict outcomes at Southern Methodist University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at Southern Methodist University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Southern Methodist University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Finance and Financial Management Services, Economics and Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. Across all programs, Southern Methodist University confers roughly 1,031 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Finance and Financial Management Services program report a median income of about $131,515 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Southern Methodist University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Southern Methodist University disclosed 58 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at Southern Methodist University?

About 45% of undergraduates at Southern Methodist University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 36% of men join a fraternity and 45% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in Texas parents ask about

• Baylor University
  51% acceptance
• Texas Christian University
  44% acceptance
• University of Houston
  74% acceptance
• Texas State University
  89% acceptance
• University of North Texas
  72% acceptance
• Texas Tech University
  73% acceptance
• University of Texas at Arlington
  80% acceptance
• University of Texas at Dallas
  65% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about Southern Methodist University