Southern Methodist University

    Dallas, TX · Private non-profit · Doctoral / R2 research university

    SAT middle 50% (admitted students)
    1340–1490
    Median ~1420
    Acceptance rate
    63%
    Enrollment
    7,277
    ACT middle 50%
    30–34

    What the numbers say about SMU

    • The reported middle 50% spans 150 points, from 1340 to 1490. A planning score near or above 1530 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
    • The reported section midpoints are 700 Reading and Writing and 730 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
    • The Scorecard snapshot reports a 63% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
    • Reported outcomes include a 84% completion rate and $78,354 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.
    Understand a 1420 SAT scorePlan for a 1550Verify current admissions policy

    Tuition and outcomes

    Tuition (in-state)
    $67,040
    Tuition (out-of-state)
    $67,040
    Median earnings 10 years after entry
    $78,354
    4-year completion rate (150% time)
    84%

    Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

    How your SAT score lines up

    The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1340 and 1490. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

    • 1530 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1490 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1420 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
    • 1340 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.
    Compare to other colleges →

    Colleges with similar SAT scores

    Ranked by proximity to SMU's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

    CollegeLocationSAT middle 50%Acceptance rate
    University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA1310–150060%
    Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY1330–150049%
    Binghamton UniversityVestal, NY1340–150039%
    University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL1320–148019%
    Fordham UniversityBronx, NY1320–148059%
    Lafayette CollegeEaston, PA1350–150031%

    FAQs

    What SAT score do I need for SMU?

    Southern Methodist University's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1340–1490, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1530 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

    What is SMU's acceptance rate?

    Southern Methodist University's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 63%.

    How much does it cost to attend SMU?

    Published tuition is approximately $67,040 per year (excludes room, board, fees).

    Is SMU test-optional?

    Many US universities adjusted test policies after 2020. Check Southern Methodist University's admissions page for current test-optional, test-required, or test-flexible policy.

    Official site: www.smu.edu

    SAT® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this product.

    AboutPrivacyTermsResourcesContact