# Southern Methodist University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-methodist-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Dallas, TX
- **Type:** Private nonprofit
- **Setting:** Suburban
- **Region:** Southwest
- **Enrollment:** 7,277
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

Southern Methodist University is a great fit for students who are looking for a vibrant campus life in a dynamic city like Dallas. With an acceptance rate of 63%, this private university attracts a diverse group of learners. Students here often dive into popular areas like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Communications, among others. The strong focus on these programs means you can expect a well-rounded education that prepares you for real-world challenges.

Looking ahead, graduates from SMU can anticipate solid financial outcomes. Those who finish their degrees can expect to earn around $78,354 within ten years of graduating. This level of earnings is a good indicator of the value of the education here. While the net price is $40,892, many students find that the investment pays off, especially when considering the 84% graduation rate, which suggests that most students are successfully completing their programs.

When it comes to the bottom line, the median debt for graduates stands at $19,500, which is manageable given the earning potential after graduation. Financial aid options help make education here more accessible, though only 13% of students receive Pell Grants. Those who thrive at SMU are often ambitious and eager to engage with both their studies and the rich opportunities available in Dallas. This environment supports not just academic success but also personal growth and career readiness.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 63% |
| SAT Average | 1428 |
| ACT Midpoint | 33 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $67,040 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $67,040 |
| Average Net Price | $40,892 |
| Median Debt | $19,500 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 13% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 21% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $23,544 |
| $30K-$48K | $20,038 |
| $48K-$75K | $24,152 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $58,213 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 84% |
| Retention Rate | 91% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $65,556 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $77,799 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $78,354 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.25x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 176.79% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 3972.7% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 445.0% |
| Parent Median Income | $176,400 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.83 |
| Friending Bias | 0.01 |
| Volunteering Rate | 6.0% |
| Support Ratio | 1.00 |

## Innovation (Opportunity Insights Patent Data)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Inventor Rate | 0.564% |
| Total Patents | 28 |
| Total Citations | 47 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Business & Marketing | 28% |
| Social Sciences | 13% |
| Communications | 9% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 7% |
| Psychology | 7% |
| Engineering | 6% |
| Biology & Biomedical | 5% |
| Computer Science & IT | 4% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 14 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #5 in [Best Business Colleges in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-texas)
- #7 in [Best Communications Colleges in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-communications-texas)
- #13 in [Best MBA Programs in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-texas)
- #14 in [Best Engineering Colleges in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-engineering-texas)
- #17 in [Best Computer Science Colleges in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-texas)
- #17 in [Best Data Science Colleges in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-texas)
- #22 in [Best Colleges in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-texas)
- #23 in [Best Psychology Colleges in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-texas)
- #23 in [Best Biology Colleges in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-texas)
- #24 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-texas)
- #26 in [Best Master's Programs in Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-texas)
- #30 in [Best Colleges in Southwest](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-southwest)
- #43 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-communications)
- #50 in [Universities With the Highest Research Impact](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-citation-impact)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Southern Methodist University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-methodist-university