Southern Methodist University

https://www.smu.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$59,500

4% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$48,179

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

63.3%

15,245 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

12,116

79.9% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

84.3%

1,286 Graduates

About

Southern Methodist University is a higher education institution located in Dallas County, TX. In 2024, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Southern Methodist University were Management Science (524 degrees awarded), Mental Health Counseling (73 degrees), and Data Science, General (69 degrees).

In 2024, 4,048 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Southern Methodist University. 50.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 49.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (2,250 degrees), 4.14 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (543 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Southern Methodist University is $59,500, which is $27,580 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Photo by Roy Luck

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Southern Methodist University is $59,500, which is $27,580 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $48,179.

In 2024, 68% of undergraduate students attending Southern Methodist University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 21% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$59,500

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Southern Methodist University was $59,500. The cost of tuition at Southern Methodist University is $27,580 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Southern Methodist University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$48,179

2024 Value

5.21%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Southern Methodist University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $48,179. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Southern Methodist University grew by 5.21%.

This chart compares the average net price of Southern Methodist University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$14,519

Room and Board

$800

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Southern Methodist University was of $14,519 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 9.78% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $800. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Southern Methodist University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

68%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

21%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

68% of undergraduate students at Southern Methodist University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 2.86% with respect to 2023, when 70% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Southern Methodist University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Southern Methodist University received 15,245 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 1.01% annual growth. Out of those 15,245 applicants, 9,657 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 63.3% acceptance rate.

There were 12,116 students enrolled at Southern Methodist University in 2024. 16% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Southern Methodist University has an overall enrollment yield of 17.8%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

63.3%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

9,657

Accepted Out of 15,245

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Southern Methodist University was 63.3% (9,657 admissions from 15,245 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 61.2%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 1.01%, while admissions grew by 4.51%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Southern Methodist University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

16%

Submission Percentage (2024)

266

Scores Submitted (2024)

16% of enrolled first-time students at Southern Methodist University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Southern Methodist University had a total enrollment of 12,116 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Southern Methodist University is 9,679 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,437. This means that 79.9% of students enrolled at Southern Methodist University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Southern Methodist University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 51.7% White, 16.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.09% Asian, 7.65% Black or African American, 4.16% Two or More Races, 0.289% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0908% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Southern Methodist University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (28.7%), followed by White Male (28.5%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (9.19%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (24%), followed by White Male (22.5%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (5.72%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

79.9%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Southern Methodist University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 12,116 students. The full-time enrollment at Southern Methodist University is 9,679 and the part-time enrollment is 2,437. This means that 79.9% of students enrolled at Southern Methodist University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Southern Methodist University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

91%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Southern Methodist University was 91%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), Southern Methodist University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Southern Methodist University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
6,260 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,967 enrolled students
Asian
980 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Southern Methodist University is 51.7% White, 16.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.09% Asian, 7.65% Black or African American, 4.16% Two or More Races, 0.289% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0908% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 315 students (2.6%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 48 more women than men received degrees from Southern Methodist University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Southern Methodist University is white (2,250 degrees awarded). There were 4.14 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (543 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at Southern Methodist University is Management Science (524 degrees awarded), followed by Mental Health Counseling (73 degrees) and Data Science, General (69 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Southern Methodist University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Communication Technologies (75 degrees awarded), Legal (284 degrees), and Math & Statistics (148 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University are Other managers (173,689 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (101,727 people), Clergy (89,826 people), Marketing managers (88,672 people), and Software developers (86,561 people).

The most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University in 2024 are Communication Technologies (75 degrees awarded), Legal (284 degrees), Math & Statistics (148 degrees), Theology (78 degrees), and Communications (223 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University are Surgeons, Agents & business managers of artists, performers, & athletes, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Physicians, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University are Communication Technologies (75 degrees awarded), Legal (284 degrees), Math & Statistics (148 degrees), Theology (78 degrees), and Communications (223 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University are Elementary & secondary schools (288,558 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (212,186 people), Computer Systems Design (193,732 people), Religious organizations (109,960 people), and Management, scientific & technical consulting services (98,035 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Southern Methodist University.

Most Common (2024)

General Finance
280 degrees awarded
General Economics
180 degrees awarded
General Psychology
140 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Southern Methodist University was General Finance with 280 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Southern Methodist University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

2,000

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

2,048

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 2,000 degrees were awarded to men at Southern Methodist University, which is 0.977 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,048).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Southern Methodist University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 308 degrees were awarded to men at Southern Methodist University in Management Science, which is 1.27 times more than the 243 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 243 degrees were awarded to men at Southern Methodist University in Management Science, which is 0.789 times less than the 308 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

75%

100% Completion Time

82%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 75% of students graduating from Southern Methodist University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 82% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 83% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
2,250 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
543 degrees awarded
Asian
346 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Southern Methodist University is white (2,250 degrees awarded). There were 4.14 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (543 degrees).

1.75% of degree recipients (71 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Male
1,390 degrees awarded
White Male
1,351 degrees awarded
White Male
1,299 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Southern Methodist University is white male (1,390 degrees awarded). There were 1.03 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,351 degrees).

Operations

Southern Methodist University has an endowment valued at nearly $2.16B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 214M (9.87%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, Southern Methodist University had a total salary expenditure of 713M. Southern Methodist University employs 218 Professors, 171 Instructors and 148 Lecturers. Most academics at Southern Methodist University are Male Professor (164), Female Lecturer (96), and Male Associate professor (90).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Southern Methodist University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 405 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 346 employees, and Management with 329 employees.

Endowment

$2.16B

2024 Endowment

6.9%

growth from 2023

Southern Methodist University has an endowment valued at about $2.16B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Southern Methodist University grew 6.9% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $1.91B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Southern Methodist University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$25.7M - Federal
$406k - State
$648k - Local

As of 2024, Southern Methodist University received $25.7M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $406k from state grants and contracts, and $648k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$311M

2024 Salaries

6.52%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Southern Methodist University paid a median of $311M in salaries, which represents 43.6% of their overall expenditure ($713M) and a 6.52% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 3.81% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 1.5% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$106M

Instructional Salaries

788

Number of Employees

In 2024, Southern Methodist University paid a total of $106M to 788 employees working as instructors, which represents 34% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Southern Methodist University were Business and Financial Operations with 405 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 346 employees, and Management with 329 employees.

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