Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability and Cost
Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$41,444
Average Net Price By Family Income
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $64,460 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $64,460 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $18,230 |
| Books and Supplies | $800 |
| Tuition Payment Plan | Yes |
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
85%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
12%
Average Aid Per Year
$35,344
12%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,002
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$34,022
11%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$3,958
11%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,002
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$87,102,024
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$70,194,181
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
26%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$12,369
Students receiving federal loans
24%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,166
Average Other Loans Per Year
$32,243
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$17,750
Loan Default Rate
3%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$200
What Students Are Saying
SMU's tuition is kind of expensive, considering the fact that it went up to almost $37,000 this year. However, if you are a good student, there might a chance for you to get some merit-based scholarships. In addition, you can get scholarships from the department itself. For example, I got a scholarship from the chemistry department after declaring my major.
Sarah from Richardson, TX
SMU is definitely an expensive school. Because of the scholarships and financial aide I received I was able to attend the school of my choice. Although most of the people there are wealthy, there are also others receiving help so there is no need to feel inferior. SMU is a beautiful campus with many resources for the students to use. From the dance performances to the sporting events, the money paid is definitely worth it. Because it is a prestigious and private school, the cost is high but do not hesitate to apply, financial aide is available.
From Grand Prairie, TX
SMU is pretty expensive. It was like $46,000 a year. That's why scholarships are so important. If you try hard in your classes and make the most of your time here, the money is worth the degree. The degree only becomes worth less when there are kids not taking their classes seriously, and in that sense they are wasting the money. But I think that is the same at every college. If you come to college to goof off instead of work hard, you won't get very far.
Allison from Tyler, TX
Oh, the joys (horrors) of paying for a college education. There’s no doubt about it. Southern Methodist University is an expensive place to receive your education. However, they do make the financial burden a little easier to bear. They give out so many scholarships and grants to students. Financial cost was a big factor for me when I was deciding where to go. I never thought SMU would be a place to consider. My mind definitely changed when I received my financial aid package, and SMU was my cheapest option for college. I’m paying next to nothing, and I honestly don’t know anyone who is not on some form of financial aid. So, SMU definitely delivers considering its price tag. It’s a great experience, and there are so many opportunities for networking for future needs. Being so close to downtown Dallas, SMU provides many opportunities outside of the classroom for research, internships, and employment.
Deborah from Mesquite, TX
SMU is definitely expensive. There is no doubt about it. However they provide numerous scholarships for academics and athletics, as well as financial aid. Don't be scared to apply due to the cost- the last they can do is not offer you any scholarships, which is highly unlikely.
Dylan from Indiana
Lots of people have scholarships. 100% tuition would be expensive. But you are paying for quality.
(There are so many opportunities here that would be hard to come by as an undergraduate enrolled in a public university. I would know. I came from one.)
With reference to Sarah's review: (I just learned this today, actually.)
If you are at all interested in attending grad school, go all out and get a PhD! Did you know that some schools will pay you tuition, housing, food, AND a stipend to get a PhD? Often, the Masters is included in the PhD! And in the end, you'll also be a lot more marketable! (But you have to really really love learning. And be able to tolerate completing a thesis. Or it would probably only be unnecessary torture.)
(There are so many opportunities here that would be hard to come by as an undergraduate enrolled in a public university. I would know. I came from one.)
With reference to Sarah's review: (I just learned this today, actually.)
If you are at all interested in attending grad school, go all out and get a PhD! Did you know that some schools will pay you tuition, housing, food, AND a stipend to get a PhD? Often, the Masters is included in the PhD! And in the end, you'll also be a lot more marketable! (But you have to really really love learning. And be able to tolerate completing a thesis. Or it would probably only be unnecessary torture.)
Theresa from Dallas, TX
The scholarships really make this education worth it. The original price tag is a little alarming but very few people actually pay full price. The education and opportunities received from SMU make it extremely valuable.
Katherine from Renton, WA
Yes, SMU is definitely expensive but so are most colleges and universities. Like with anything, you have to put in effort in order to see results. In this case, you have to pay the tuition in order to give yourself the opportunity to do something with your SMU education. Whether or not you make the best of SMU education is up to you, but I know I am going to make mine well worth what I am paying to receive it.
from Lake Worth, FL
The main reason why I ended up choosing SMU was because they offered me enough money to actually be here! They have a very strong endowment and alumni donor base. I find that it's common for people to have chosen SMU for the financial aid offer. Whether that's a good or a bad thing, it is what it is.
Ally from Dallas, TX
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