Summary
- • Southern Methodist University is the most expensive college in Texas with a total cost of attendance of $79,540 for the 2021-2022 academic year
- • SMU's tuition alone for the 2021-2022 academic year is $58,540
- • Room and board at SMU costs an estimated $17,750 per year
- • SMU's estimated cost for books and supplies is $800 per year
- • Personal expenses for SMU students are estimated at $2,450 per year
- • SMU's endowment was valued at $1.9 billion as of 2021
- • SMU awarded $170 million in financial aid for the 2020-2021 academic year
- • 73% of SMU undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid
- • The average financial aid package at SMU is $35,615
- • SMU's student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1
- • SMU offers 100 undergraduate majors and 85 graduate programs
- • SMU has a 6-year graduation rate of 81%
- • The average class size at SMU is 22 students
- • SMU's acceptance rate for the Fall 2021 entering class was 47%
- • The average SAT score for admitted SMU students is 1390
Hold onto your cowboy hats, because were diving into the wild world of Texas education where the tuition fees can be as steep as the Lone Star State itself. With a total cost of attendance that could make even oil tycoons raise an eyebrow, Southern Methodist University reigns supreme as the most expensive college in Texas. At a jaw-dropping $79,540 for the 2021-2022 academic year, SMUs price tag may have you wondering if youre paying for a degree or a gold-plated diploma. Lets dissect the numbers and see just how deep your pockets need to be to ride this Mustang through the hallowed halls of the Lone Star States priciest institution.
Academic Information
- SMU's student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1
- SMU offers 100 undergraduate majors and 85 graduate programs
- SMU has a 6-year graduation rate of 81%
- The average class size at SMU is 22 students
- SMU's freshman retention rate is 91%
- 76% of SMU's classes have fewer than 20 students
- Only 2% of SMU's classes have 50 or more students
- SMU's four-year graduation rate is 71%
- SMU's student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 is lower than the national average of 18:1
- SMU's six-year graduation rate of 81% is higher than the national average of 60%
- SMU's freshman retention rate of 91% is higher than the national average of 81%
- SMU's percentage of classes with fewer than 20 students (76%) is higher than the average for private universities (65%)
- SMU's four-year graduation rate of 71% is higher than the average for private non-profit universities (53%)
Interpretation
In the realm of academia, Southern Methodist University stands tall, not only in stature but also in statistics. With a student-to-faculty ratio lower than the national average and a graduation rate higher than most, SMU prides itself on delivering a quality education tailored to individual student needs. Its impressive retention rates and small class sizes prove that while everything may be bigger in Texas, sometimes the best things come in small, focused packages – which, incidentally, also happen to be the most expensive. So, if you're going to pay top dollar for your education, you might as well get the full, personalized, and efficient SMU experience.
Admissions
- SMU's acceptance rate for the Fall 2021 entering class was 47%
- The average SAT score for admitted SMU students is 1390
- The average ACT score for admitted SMU students is 31
- SMU received 14,010 applications for the Fall 2021 entering class
- SMU's acceptance rate of 47% is lower than the national average of 68% for private universities
- SMU's average SAT score of 1390 is in the 93rd percentile nationally
- SMU's average ACT score of 31 is in the 95th percentile nationally
Interpretation
In the world of higher education, SMU stands out not just for its prestigious reputation but also for its exclusivity and academic excellence. With an acceptance rate lower than the national average for private universities, it's no surprise that SMU's average SAT and ACT scores are in the top percentiles nationally. With numbers like these, getting into SMU is like winning a golden ticket to a world where intellectual rigor meets social privilege. So, if you're looking to join the ranks of the elite in the Lone Star State, remember that at SMU, the price of admission is not just in dollars but in academic prowess.
Alumni Information
- SMU's average alumni giving rate is 15%
- SMU has over 130,000 living alumni
- SMU alumni have a median starting salary of $60,700
- SMU alumni have a median mid-career salary of $118,000
- SMU's alumni giving rate of 15% is higher than the national average of 8% for private universities
Interpretation
Southern Methodist University (SMU) must be doing something right if its alumni are generously giving back at a rate of 15%, surpassing the national average for private universities. With over 130,000 living alumni, it seems the Mustang spirit runs deep. Perhaps the secret to their success lies in the fact that SMU graduates are reaping the financial rewards, starting with a median salary of $60,700 and reaching a mid-career median salary of $118,000. It appears that investing in an education at the most expensive college in Texas is paying off in more ways than one.
Campus Information
- SMU's main campus spans 234 acres
- SMU has 82 buildings on its main campus
- SMU's libraries hold over 4 million volumes
- SMU has 20 residence halls on campus
- SMU's athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I
- SMU offers 17 varsity sports programs
- SMU has over 200 student organizations
Interpretation
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the price tag for education at Southern Methodist University (SMU). With its sprawling 234-acre campus, 82 impressive buildings, and a library stocked with over 4 million volumes, this university is not just a place for learning but a city within itself. And let's not forget the 20 residence halls, 17 varsity sports programs, and over 200 student organizations - because apparently, everything really is bigger in Texas, even the extracurricular options. So, if you're going to pay top dollar for an education in the Lone Star State, at least you'll have plenty of acres to roam and books to read while you do it.
Financial Information
- SMU's endowment was valued at $1.9 billion as of 2021
- SMU awarded $170 million in financial aid for the 2020-2021 academic year
- 73% of SMU undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid
- The average financial aid package at SMU is $35,615
- SMU's endowment per student is approximately $153,000
- SMU's student loan default rate is 2.3%
- SMU's average need-based scholarship or grant award is $35,615
- 44% of full-time undergraduates at SMU receive some kind of need-based financial aid
- SMU's endowment of $1.9 billion ranks it among the top 70 universities in the U.S. by endowment size
- SMU's student loan default rate of 2.3% is significantly lower than the national average of 9.7%
Interpretation
While SMU may hold the title of the most expensive college in Texas, one could argue that its students need not worry about their financial aid being ponying up for a Texas-sized bill. With an endowment hefty enough to make even oil tycoons blush, SMU shells out a generous $170 million in financial aid, ensuring that even those without trust funds or oil wells can afford a piece of the Texan dream. So while the sticker shock may cause some to clutch their pearl-handled cowboy hats, rest assured that at SMU, the Lone Star state's most valuable asset lies not just in its endowment, but in its commitment to making education accessible for all, y'all.
Rankings
- SMU ranks #66 in National Universities according to U.S. News & World Report
- SMU ranks #40 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- SMU ranks #61 in Best Value Schools
- SMU's Meadows School of the Arts ranks #51 in Best Fine Arts Programs
- SMU's Cox School of Business undergraduate program ranks #41 nationally
Interpretation
Southern Methodist University (SMU) may be the most expensive college in Texas, but its rankings in various categories speak volumes about the quality of education it offers. From being listed #66 in National Universities, #40 in Best Colleges for Veterans, and #61 in Best Value Schools, to having standout programs like the Meadows School of the Arts ranked #51 in Best Fine Arts Programs and the Cox School of Business undergraduate program at #41 nationally, SMU proves that excellence comes at a price—literally. But hey, who said a top-notch education was ever going to be cheap?
Student Demographics
- SMU's total enrollment for Fall 2021 was 12,373 students
- Undergraduate students make up 58% of SMU's total enrollment
- Graduate students account for 42% of SMU's total enrollment
- 51% of SMU's undergraduate students are female
- 49% of SMU's undergraduate students are male
- 30% of SMU's undergraduate students are from minority groups
- SMU has students from all 50 states and 83 countries
- SMU's minority student percentage of 30% is lower than the national average of 45% for private universities
- SMU's international student population represents 11% of the total student body, higher than the national average of 5.5%
Interpretation
While Southern Methodist University boasts a diverse student population hailing from all corners of the globe, it seems their commitment to inclusivity is hitting a speed bump at the intersection of dollars and sense. With the honor of being the most expensive college in Texas comes the juxtaposition of a lower-than-average representation of minority students on campus. Perhaps it's time for SMU to turn their impressive international appeal into a catalyst for fostering a more diverse and equitable educational environment right in their own backyard.
Tuition and Costs
- Southern Methodist University is the most expensive college in Texas with a total cost of attendance of $79,540 for the 2021-2022 academic year
- SMU's tuition alone for the 2021-2022 academic year is $58,540
- Room and board at SMU costs an estimated $17,750 per year
- SMU's estimated cost for books and supplies is $800 per year
- Personal expenses for SMU students are estimated at $2,450 per year
- SMU's total cost of attendance is 2.5 times higher than the average in-state tuition for public universities in Texas
- SMU's out-of-state tuition is 1.7 times higher than the average out-of-state tuition for public universities in Texas
- SMU's room and board cost is 1.5 times higher than the average for all 4-year institutions in Texas
Interpretation
Southern Methodist University: where the price tag for a top-notch education comes with a hefty dose of sticker shock. With a total cost of attendance that could make even a Wall Street trader do a double-take, SMU is proudly leading the charge as the most expensive college in the Lone Star State. While students may be shelling out big bucks for tuition, room and board, books, and personal expenses, one thing is clear - at SMU, the investment in your future is not for the faint of heart. So, whether you're crunching the numbers or counting on your wealthy uncle's inheritance, just remember: a degree from SMU doesn't come cheap, but hey, who said success was ever affordable?
