Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas

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6425 Boaz St
Estd 1911

Updated on - Jan 29th, 2022 | 08:24 AM By Sathish

Overview Content

Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private university renowned for its global research center. It is one of the best colleges in the United States for merit aids (#11 by Money) and has hosted world leaders and dignitaries like several former U.S Presidents, Stephen Hawking, and His Holiness Dalai Lama among others, as speakers on the campus in various events and programs. SMU has a diverse student community of over 12,000 students coming from all over the U.S and 90 foreign nations.

When was Southern Methodist University Established?

SMU was established in 1911 by The United Methodist Church in partnership with the civic leaders of Dallas. 

Where is Southern Methodist University?

Southern Methodist University is a nationally ranked private university located in Dallas, Texas. The main campus of SMU is located in University Park, Texas. It has other satellite campuses in Plano, Texas, and Taos, New Mexico. The Dallas campus is home to more than130 academic buildings such as the Meadows Museum and the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Southern Methodist University Accreditation

SMU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and also has received various program-specific accreditations from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, American Bar Association, and 
National Association of Schools of Music. 

Education at Southern Methodist University

SMU offers 100+ undergraduate and 120+ graduate and professional degrees to nearly 12,000 students from over 50 states and 90 countries around the world. The courses are offered in the field of law, arts, engineering, management, psychology, journalism, etc.

Southern Methodist University Highlights

SMU is one of the top universities in the US known for its undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in humanities, sciences, arts, engineering, and business among other fields. It is located in Dallas-Fort Worth which is a major business hub in the country and houses the headquarters of 22 Fortune 500 companies and 42 Fortune 1000 companies. Some other highlights of SMU are shown below:

University Type

Private

Undergraduate Students

6,479

Graduate Students

5,170

International Students

14%

Faculty

1,231

Acceptance Rate

51%

Why Choose Southern Methodist University?

SMU is one of the top research universities in the US and is recognized for increasing national prominence and impact. It offers several undergraduate and graduate courses through its 7 schools in different disciplines. SMU provides small classes and research opportunities that ensure a unique learning experience on campus. Some of the reasons why students should choose SMU over any other university in the US are given below:

  • SMU has excellent faculty with 83.7% of full-time faculty members having a doctorate or the highest degree in their fields
  • It provides scholarships and other financial aid to 3 out of 4 SMU students
  • It also provides an annual economic impact of more than $7 billion to the region
  • Students enrolled in SMU experience leadership opportunities through nearly 200 campus organizations
  • It has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1 that ensures easy faculty access
  • SMU provides over 148 study abroad programs in 50 countries
  • It has a diverse economic, ethnic and religious student community

Student and Staff Enrollment at Southern Methodist University

SMU has a diverse student community with over 12,000 students from all over the U.S and 83 other nations around the world. The majority of international student enrollment is from China, India, and Mexico. Find the detailed student and faculty enrollment data at SMU below:

Total Student Enrollment

11,649

Undergraduate Students

6,479

Graduate Students

5,170

Freshman Undergraduates

1,674

Percentage of International Students

14%

International Students

1,596

Staff and Faculty

1,577

Full-time Faculty

763

Student: Faculty Ratio

11:1

Southern Methodist University Schools/ Colleges

SMU offers several courses and programs under various disciplines such as arts, education, engineering, etc. The courses are offered through the various schools and colleges that are an integral part of SMU. Given below are the schools/ colleges under SMU:

  1. Cox School of Business
  2. Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
  3. Dedman School of Law
  4. Lyle School of Engineering
  5. Meadows School of the Arts
  6. Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
  7. Perkins School of Theology
  8. Simmons School of Education and Human Development

Faculties/ Departments at Southern Methodist University

SMU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its different schools and colleges. Each of the schools and colleges has academic units that assist in providing quality education to the students. The academic departments of SMU are given below:

  1. Humanities and Sciences
  2. Education and Human Development
  3. Engineering
  4. Arts

Financial Aid and Scholarships at SMU

SMU provides scholarships and fellowships to international students. The scholarships are based on academic scores and merit. Some of the scholarships offered are International Student Scholarship, International Fellowship, President’s Scholarship, etc. Listed below are the funding options for international students at Southern Methodist University:

  • President’s Scholarship: Covers full tuition fee
  • Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program: Offers $42,000 per year or a total of $168,000 over 4 years
  • International Baccalaureate Scholars
  • Academic achievement scholarships
  • National Merit Scholarships
  • Academic school and departmental scholarships

Student Space and Services at Southern Methodist University

SMU offers a range of student services backed by friendly, knowledgeable, and supportive staff. Various services such as accommodation, financial support, etc are provided to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed in their educational goals. Given below are some of the amenities provided by SMU:

  1. Housing Facilities
  2. International Student & Scholar Services 
  3. Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (ALEC)
  4. Disability Accommodations and Success Strategies (DASS)
  5. Financial Aid
  6. Tutoring
  7. Academic Counseling 
  8. Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS)
  9. SMU Bookstore
  10. Dining Services
  11. Health Center
  12. Libraries
  13. Recreation and Athletics

University Stats

Student Population at Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University offers more than 100 undergraduate and over 120 graduate and professional degrees to nearly 12,000 students from over 50 states and 90 countries around the world. The total student enrollment comprises about 14% of international students. 

Southern Methodist University Rankings

SMU is ranked as one of the best universities in the US for merit aids to enrolled students. It is one of the most preferred colleges for international students based on excellence in education and campus rankings. Given below are some of the national and international rankings awarded to SMU by various ranking agencies:

  • Ranked #6 for internship opportunities by The Princeton Reviews
  • Ranked #2 in Texas by U.S. News & World Report
  • Ranked #14 by The Princeton Review on its list of the nation’s most beautiful campuses
  • Ranked in the top 10% of U.S. Universities by The Wall Street Journal/ Times Higher Education in 2018
  • Ranked in the top 20% of national universities by U.S. News & World Report
  • Ranked #3 out of 78 Best Texas Colleges by College Factual 2019
  • Ranked #92 out of 1,779 Best Nationwide Colleges by College Factual 2019
  • Ranked #142 by Forbes Global

Read More: Southern Methodist University Rankings

Student-Faculty Ratio

11:1

Male-Female Ratio

52:48

International Students

1,596

Total Enrolment

11,789


Admission Details

How can I get into Southern Methodist University?

Southern Methodist University offers admission to international undergraduates on a rolling basis. It offers online courses as well as evening degree programs in addition to on-campus teaching. International applicants should have an average high school GPA of 3.7 for admission. Given below are the other Southern Methodist University admission prerequisites for international students:

  • Official academic transcripts from high school/ college
  • Standardized test scores such as SAT, ACT
  • English proficiency test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose/ Personal essay
  • CV/ Resume if applicable
  • Financial support document
  • Portfolio/ Interview if applicable
  • Passport copy
  • GMAT/ GRE if needed

Acceptance Rate

Minimum Score
TOEFL Requirements

Min. 90


Minimum Score
IELTS Requirements

Min. 6.5


Application Website


Accepts Direct Application

yes


Accepts Common Application

Yes


Total Applications

13,128


Average Tuition Fees

The average tuition fees applicable at SMU vary for domestic and international students. The basic tuition fee for international undergraduate students is $50,560 and for international graduate students, it is $40,896. The tuition fee is calculated for 12-18 credit hours per term. The average tuition fees for international students at Southern Methodist University are shown below:

Degree Type Tuition Fees
Diploma -
Undergraduate $51,789
Post Graduate $48,034

Application Details

Southern Methodist University accepts international undergraduate applications through SMU Online Application, The Common Application, ApplyTexas, or MyCoalition Application. Graduate applications are accepted online through the respective portal. An application fee of $60 applies for undergraduates and graduates, it is $75. For undergraduate applications, the early action deadline is November 1, 2022, and the regular decision deadline is January 15, 2023. The application deadline varies for the different graduate courses and programs. Find below the Southern Methodist University application deadlines for international applicants:

Events Dates
Application Deadline
2022-11-01

Other Fees

What is the Average Cost to attend Southern Methodist University?

The tuition fee applicable at SMU varies for undergraduate and graduate students. The additional expenses apart from the Southern Methodist University tuition fees at both undergraduate and graduate levels are given below:

Undergraduate Students

  • Tuition Fees: $50,200
  • General Student Fees: $6,360
  • Housing Costs: $3,650 – $6,800
  • Dining Cost: $3,100– $3,340
  • Miscellaneous Expenses: $3,476

Graduate Students

  • Tuition Fee (max): $23,487
  • General Student Fee: $3,180
  • Housing Costs: $3,900 – $6,120
  • Dining Cost: $769.50 – $2,136
Average Annual Tuition Fees
$51,789
Average Accommodation
$16,510
Application Fees
$60

Courses Fees

Southern Methodist University offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in different disciplines such as engineering, management, anthropology, psychology, etc. The course fees vary based on the type and duration of the course. Given below are the fee details of the different Southern Methodist University courses:

Master Courses:

Bachelor Courses:

Master of Science [M.Sc]

Course Fees: $ - $72570


Master of Business Administration [M.B.A]

Course Fees: $46975


Bachelor of Science [B.Sc]

Course Fees: $51789 - $58540


Master of Arts [M.A]

Course Fees: $ - $50625


Bachelor of Arts [B.A]

Course Fees: $51789


View All Courses


Contact Information

The International Student & Scholar Services at SMU is reachable at 214-768-4475 or via mail at isss@smu.edu. The other contact details of Southern Methodist University are given below:

Dallas, Texas

Location

214-768-2000

Contact No

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