Southern Methodist University
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2015-2016 Tuition & Fees
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Summary
Southern Methodist University is a private institution that was founded in 1911. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,391, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 234 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Southern Methodist University's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 61. Its tuition and fees are $48,190 (2015-16).
Despite its name, this private university in Dallas is a secular institution when it comes to classes. The school was founded by what became the United Methodist Church in 1911, but it is now home to students of many religious affiliations. Outdoor activities are plentiful in Dallas, a city that boasts an average of 232 days of sunshine a year. Students can check out the Dallas International Film Festival, which draws 40,000 viewers annually, or explore the more than 400 parks in the city. Students are required to live on campus for their first two years at SMU. The campus is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which comprises a Bush administration museum, library and public policy institute, and frequently hosts speakers. The SMU Mustangs sports teams play in the Division I American Athletic Conference, supported by mascot Peruna, a black stallion Shetland pony. About 2,000 students are involved in SMU Greek life, and all students can participate in annual events such as the Festival of Lights, a candlelit assembly on the school’s Main Quad each December, and the Mane Event, a celebration of spring complete with bands and food.
SMU has well-regarded graduate offerings at the Cox School of Business and its law school. Undergraduates can get a unique education through the SMU-in-Taos program, which sends students to the school’s campus in the mountains of New Mexico. In historic Fort Burgwin, students gain hands-on learning in courses such as anthropology, biology and astronomy. Notable SMU alumni include former first lady Laura Bush and the late television producer Aaron Spelling.
General Information
| School type | private, coed college |
| Year founded | 1911 |
| Religious affiliation | United Methodist |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | urban |
| 2014 Endowment | $1,425,146,000 |
Applying
When applying to Southern Methodist University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 15, and the early action deadline and the early decision deadline are November 1 and November 1, respectively. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due March 15. The application fee at Southern Methodist University is $60. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 52.4 percent and an early acceptance rate of 51.5 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | more selective |
| Fall 2014 acceptance rate | 52.4% |
| Application deadline | January 15 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | March 15 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Southern Methodist University is 11:1, and the school has 58.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Southern Methodist University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Engineering; and Visual and Performing Arts. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 89.5 percent.
Student Life
Southern Methodist University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,391, with a gender distribution of 49.5 percent male students and 50.5 percent female students. At this school, 53 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 47 percent of students live off campus. Southern Methodist University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 11,272 |
| Student gender distribution | |
| Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity | |
| Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority | |
| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Services
Southern Methodist University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Southern Methodist University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Southern Methodist University.
| Students who have cars on campus | N/A |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
Cost and Financial Aid
At Southern Methodist University, 35.7 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $19,674.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs, or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.
| Tuition and fees | $48,190 (2015-16) |
| Room and board | $15,575 (2015-16) |
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Overview details based on 2014 data
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