CollegeScout
Private

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, Texas (University Park)
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Admit Rate
63%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Accessible
Cost of Attendance
$85,606
per year, before aid
Test Policy
SAT/ACT optional‡ (source: SMU admission · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 29, 2026)

SMU requires official test scores at the time of enrolment, though not for admission.

Data sourced from IPEDS, Institutional Website, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.

Preparation

Helpful high school preparation
4 years English4 years math3 years lab science3 years social studies2-3 years foreign language

This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.

Admissions

How admission works here

Where you apply
The Common App. Common App requirements grid
Test scores
Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional. SMU requires official test scores at the time of enrolment, though not for admission. SMU admission
Essays
The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
Recommendations
a counselor recommendation. Common App requirements grid
Application fee
$0. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
Deadlines
Early Decision (binding) November 1, Early Decision II (binding) January 15, Early Action November 1, Regular Decision January 15. Common App requirements grid
Overall
63%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.

Mid-50% SAT
1340-1490 (EBRW 670-740, Math 670-750); ACT 30-34
SAT/ACT optional
Top 10 majors
  1. 1Finance
  2. 2Economics
  3. 3Psychology
  4. 4Sport Management
  5. 5Computer Science
  6. 6Biology
  7. 7Marketing
  8. 8Political Science
  9. 9Accounting
  10. 10Advertising

Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so Southern Methodist University may call a major something slightly different.

Applying

Application Deadlines† (source: Common App requirements grid · 2026-27)
Early Decision
November 1 · Binding
Early Decision II
January 15 · Binding
Early Action
November 1 · Non-binding
Regular Decision
January 15 · Non-binding

Applying through the Common App

Application fee
$0
Common App fee waiver
Accepted
Common App personal essay
Required
Recommendations
counselor recommendation

Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.

Essay details are being verified

College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.

View official application requirements

Music & Sports Tracks

Sports

NCAA Division I (FBS)
Varsity sports (10)
BasketballEquestrianFootballGolfRowingSoccerSwimming and divingTennisTrack and field and cross countryVolleyball
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25)
How music and sports fit into an application

Academics

Flagship Programs

Cox School of BusinessSMU Guildhall (Game Design, graduate)

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines
BusinessEngineeringArts (Meadows School)Pre-Law
Interdisciplinary Pathways
Game Design/Interactive MediaData Science

Cost

Cost of attendance, per year
$85,606* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
Tuition $67,040* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$23,544
$30,001 – $48,000
$20,038
$48,001 – $75,000
$24,152
$75,001 – $110,000
$33,477
Over $110,000
$58,213

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.private.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

SMU's public admissions pages do not disclose a specific automatic GPA/SAT award chart; merit scholarships (e.g., Hilltop Scholars, President's Scholarship) appear to be awarded through the general admission review rather than a published formula. Families should confirm the current scale directly with SMU financial aid, as no automatic scale could be verified from public sources in this research pass.

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Dallas, Texas (University Park)· Suburban
Undergraduates
7,285
Setting
Suburban
In a fraternity or sorority
43% of students
Living on campus
Not publicly reported

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†Common App requirements grid · 2026-27

‡SMU admission · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 29, 2026

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