Selective Private · Dallas, Texas
Southern Methodist University
Open admission. 63.3% acceptance rate.
Calculate your SMU oddsHow hard is it to get into SMU?
SMU is open admission, with a 63.3% acceptance rate. Admitted students typically score 1340–1500 on the SAT and 30–33 on the ACT. The application is read holistically, so essays, recommendations, activities, and demographic context all factor into the decision alongside test scores and GPA.
Quick Facts
| Acceptance rate | 63.3% |
| SAT (mid-50%) | 1340–1500 |
| ACT (mid-50%) | 30–33 |
| Cost of attendance | $87,470 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $47,480 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,000 |
| 6-year graduation rate | 82.5% |
| Median earnings (10 yrs after entry) | $92,800 |
| Type | Private · Selective Private |
| Setting | Large urban |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.
Getting In
SMU's 63.3% acceptance rate puts it in the open admission tier. The mid-50% SAT range of 1340–1500 means a quarter of admitted students scored above 1500, and a quarter scored below 1340. Scores in that range don't guarantee admission. Scores outside it don't rule it out. The application is read holistically.
That number doesn't tell you your odds. A 1550 SAT and a 4.0 GPA put you in the academic conversation. They don't put you in the admit pile. Your actual probability depends on your full profile: coursework rigor, activities, recommendations, demographic context, and what your essays accomplish. The pool average is a starting point, not a forecast.
Personalized estimate
What are your actual odds at SMU?
Enter your SAT/ACT, GPA, activities, and target schools. Get a probability calibrated to real admit data, not a headline acceptance rate.
Run the calculatorBeyond the Numbers
SMU is best known for its Cox business school, Meadows arts program, and the Hilltop residential commons system. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.
Cost & Financial Aid
The published cost of attendance at SMU is $87,470 per year before aid. After grants and scholarships, the average student pays $47,480per year. The sticker price isn't the number that matters for most families.
Outcomes
Federal data on what happens after enrollment at SMU:
Graduation rate
82.5%
6-year (federal IPEDS)
Median earnings
$92,800
10 yrs after entry
10.3% of students receive a Pell Grant (federal need-based aid), and 21.0%take federal loans. These rates are useful proxies for the school's socioeconomic mix and how much most families end up borrowing.
SMU essay tools
Score, brainstorm, or revise SMU essays with tools tuned to SMU's prompts.
SMU vs. Peer Schools
Side-by-side comparison with similar Selective Private schools applicants typically consider.
| School | Accept | SAT mid-50 | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMU This page | 63.3% | 1340–1500 | $47,480 |
| Tufts | 9.5% | 1490–1550 | $39,998 |
| Boston College | 16.4% | 1440–1540 | $41,704 |
| BU | 11.1% | 1420–1530 | $24,402 |
| Northeastern | 5.2% | 1440–1540 | $30,915 |
| Tulane | 14.0% | 1400–1520 | $39,949 |
FAQ
How hard is it to get into SMU?
SMU is open admission. The most recently published acceptance rate is 63.3%. Admitted students score in the 1340–1500 SAT range. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Holistic review weighs essays, activities, recommendations, and demographic context.
What SAT score do I need for SMU?
Admitted students at SMU typically score between 1340 and 1500 on the SAT. A quarter of admits scored above 1500, and a quarter scored below 1340. Scores in this range are competitive but do not guarantee admission.
How much does SMU cost?
The published cost of attendance at SMU is $87,470 per year before financial aid. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $47,480. Most highly selective schools meet 100% of demonstrated need for families below specific income thresholds.
What is the graduation rate at SMU?
82.5% of students at SMU graduate within 6 years (the standard federal graduation rate metric).
Sources
All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with SMU's admissions office before applying.
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — federally maintained dataset on admissions, cost, demographics, and post-graduation outcomes (IPEDS-derived).
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) — the underlying federal data collection that all U.S. accredited institutions report into annually.
- SMU Common Data Set — the standardized annual data document published by the school.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect SMU's most recent publicly published admit cycle.