What makes SMU different
- Business in Dallas. Finance is its largest major, and the Cox School of Business connects students with Dallas companies.
- Private and mid-sized. About 7,300 undergraduates, with 11 students for every faculty member.
- New to the ACC. SMU joined the conference in 2024, along with Cal and Stanford.
What SMU students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): finance (280), economics (172), psychology (130), sport management (130), computer science (85) and biology (77). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at SMU if…
- You're interested in finance, economics, business or sport management.
- You want a private university in a major business city.
- You'd like a smaller campus with big-conference athletics.
Worth asking about
- How do students get internships with Dallas companies?
- What merit scholarships are available?
How SMU compares with the other ACC schools
SMU is one of the ACC's newest members and, among its private universities, the one that admits the largest share of applicants. See how the 18 ACC schools differ.
FAQ
What is SMU's acceptance rate? 63.3% for fall 2024.
What is SMU known for? Business and finance, its Dallas location and its newer ACC membership.
How much does SMU cost? Published tuition and fees are $67,040 a year, before any aid; the total cost of attendance is $85,606.
How much is SMU tuition per semester? About $33,520 a semester, half the published $67,040 a year, before aid.
Is SMU an R1 university? Yes. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, Southern Methodist University is an R1 university, the group with the highest research spending and doctoral degrees. What R1 means →
How many students go to SMU? About 7,300 undergraduates (fall 2024).
Wondering if business fits you?
Lens's Major Ideas suggest which areas may suit your interests and strengths. Start with Lens →