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SMUDallas, TX

Acceptance rate

Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.

47.6%acceptance rate
Applied
24,053
Admitted
11,459
Enrolled
1,715

Early decision

SMU offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.

Early Decision
Binding · I & II
Early Action
Non-binding
Restrictive EA
Not offered

Admit rate by application plan

% admitted
Early Decision80.3%
Regular Decision46.9%

~1.7× higher admit rate applying early.

ED Applications
528
ED Admitted
424

Standardized tests

SMU is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.

SAT Accepted?

ACT Accepted?

Test Optional?

SAT Scores

4001600
25th Percentile
1360
50th Percentile
1410
75th Percentile
1470

ACT Scores

136
25th Percentile
31
50th Percentile
32
75th Percentile
34

Class rank

Where SMU's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.

Top tenth of class48.7%
Top quarter of class78.8%
Top half of class93.5%

Based on the 24.2% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. SMU does not publish an average GPA.

Admissions factors

How SMU weighs each part of your application.

→ Importance

Rigor of High School Record

Academic GPA

Standardized Test Scores

Application Essay

Recommendations

Extracurricular Activities

Character / Personal Qualities

Talent / Ability

First Generation

Level of Applicant's Interest

Class Rank

Volunteer Work

Work Experience

Geographical Residence

State Residency

Alumni Relation

Racial / Ethnic Status

Religious Affiliation

Cost of attendance

Estimated full-time annual cost from SMU's Common Data Set.

$96,272
Tuition & Fees
$71,816
Room & Board
$20,834
Other Expenses
$3,622
Total
$96,272

Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.

What families actually pay

$0–30k~$24k
$30–48k~$20k
$48–75k~$24k
$75–110k~$33k
$110k+~$58k

Average net price — what was left to pay after grant aid — for students receiving federal financial aid.

% of undergrads with Pell grants12.8%

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Financial aid

Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.

Receiving Aid
34%
Avg. Package
$65,143
Avg. Need Met
90%

Popular majors

Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.

Business & Marketing
Social Sciences
Communication & Journalism
Visual & Performing Arts
Psychology
Biological Sciences
Other
Business
23%
Social Sci
16%
Comm/Journ
11%
Arts
6%
Psychology
6%
Bio Sci
6%
Other
32%

Student-faculty ratio

The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.

11:1

Student outcomes

First-years who return91%
Graduate within six years83%
Median earnings, 4 yrs after graduation~$95k
Median federal loan debt at graduation~$20k

Median yearly income of former students who received federal aid, across every major, measured four years after graduating (2017–18 and 2018–19 graduates, earnings measured 2022–2023). Debt covers federal loans of students who completed.

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Programs

SMU’s most popular programs and median pay after graduation. Income data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

Show all 27 programs
  • Biology

    77 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$78kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$21k median debt
  • Business Administration & Management

    73 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$107kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Political Science

    55 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$52kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Mechanical EngineeringABET accreditedMechanical Engineering is accredited by ABET, the accreditor for engineering, computing, and applied science programs.

    50 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$91kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$16k median debt
  • Communication & Media Studies

    34 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Journalism

    29 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$41kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$17k median debt
  • Public Policy

    28 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$40kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Music

    26 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$23kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$16k median debt
  • History

    25 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$34kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$22k median debt
  • Philosophy

    23 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$42kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$21k median debt
  • Mathematics

    20 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$112kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Fine & Studio Arts

    20 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$38kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation
  • Civil EngineeringABET accreditedCivil Engineering is accredited by ABET, the accreditor for engineering, computing, and applied science programs.

    15 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • English

    15 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$47kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$20k median debt
  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

    15 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Education

    14 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Electrical EngineeringABET accreditedElectrical and Computer Engineering is accredited by ABET, the accreditor for engineering, computing, and applied science programs.

    12 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Chemistry

    8 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$39kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation~$23k median debt
  • Earth & Geological Sciences

    8 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Computer EngineeringNot ABET-accredited

    3 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Area Studies

    1 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Physics

    1 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation

Median pay data is measured from graduates who received federal student aid.

Source: College Scorecard (2026) · IPEDS (2023-24) · ABET

Campus life

On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.

First-Years On Campus
96%
In Fraternities
36%
In Sororities
45%

Place

How the federal government classifies the area around the campus, and what a normal year of weather looks like there.

Setting
Large suburb
Location
Dallas, TX

Average temperature

Monthly high and low, °F
5838J
6242F
7049M
7757A
8566M
9374J
9778J
9777A
9070S
8059O
6848N
5940D
Snow a year
2 in
Precipitation a year
38 in
Days at 90°F or above
108
Days below 32°F
23

Thirty-year averages, measured at the nearest weather station rather than on campus — they describe the area, not the campus.

Source: IPEDS (HD2024) · NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US station, 4.2 mi from campus

Enrollment by gender

49%
51%
Male
3,730
Female
3,815

Student diversity

Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.

White54.3%
Hispanic19.6%
Other12.7%
Asian and Pacific Islander7.8%
Black5.3%
Native American<1%
TCUFort Worth, TX

Acceptance rate

Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.

48.1%acceptance rate
Applied
22,680
Admitted
10,906
Enrolled
2,754

Early decision

TCU offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.

Early Decision
Binding · I & II
Early Action
Non-binding
Restrictive EA
Not offered

Admit rate by application plan

% admitted
Early Decision68.1%
Regular Decision46.8%

~1.5× higher admit rate applying early.

ED Applications
1,373
ED Admitted
935

Standardized tests

TCU is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.

SAT Accepted?

ACT Accepted?

Test Optional?

SAT Scores

4001600
25th Percentile
1110
50th Percentile
1240
75th Percentile
1330

ACT Scores

136
25th Percentile
26
50th Percentile
30
75th Percentile
31

Class rank

Where TCU's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.

Top tenth of class45.6%
Top quarter of class77.9%
Top half of class94.6%

Based on the 36.5% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. TCU does not publish an average GPA.

Admissions factors

How TCU weighs each part of your application.

→ Importance

Rigor of High School Record

Academic GPA

Standardized Test Scores

Application Essay

Recommendations

Extracurricular Activities

Character / Personal Qualities

Talent / Ability

First Generation

Level of Applicant's Interest

Class Rank

Volunteer Work

Work Experience

Geographical Residence

State Residency

Alumni Relation

Racial / Ethnic Status

Religious Affiliation

Cost of attendance

Estimated full-time annual cost from TCU's Common Data Set.

$89,742
Tuition & Fees
$66,610
Room & Board
$18,780
Other Expenses
$4,352
Total
$89,742

Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.

What families actually pay

$0–30k~$18k
$30–48k~$17k
$48–75k~$18k
$75–110k~$35k
$110k+~$53k

Average net price — what was left to pay after grant aid — for students receiving federal financial aid.

% of undergrads with Pell grants14.3%

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Financial aid

Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.

Receiving Aid
40%
Avg. Package
$50,804
Avg. Need Met
79%

Popular majors

Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.

Business & Marketing
Communication & Journalism
Health Professions
Social Sciences
Psychology
Other
Business
32.6%
Comm/Journ
13%
Health Prof
10.8%
Social Sci
7.3%
Psychology
5.9%
Other
30.4%

Student-faculty ratio

The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.

13:1

Student outcomes

First-years who return93%
Graduate within six years86%
Median earnings, 4 yrs after graduation~$76k
Median federal loan debt at graduation~$22k

Median yearly income of former students who received federal aid, across every major, measured four years after graduating (2017–18 and 2018–19 graduates, earnings measured 2022–2023). Debt covers federal loans of students who completed.

Source: College Scorecard (2026)

Programs

TCU’s most popular programs and median pay after graduation. Income data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

  • Nursing

    230 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$90kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$25k median debt
  • Finance

    200 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$111kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$19k median debt
  • Communication & Media Studies

    151 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$64kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$22k median debt
  • Psychology

    113 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$65kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$21k median debt
  • Economics

    103 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$89kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$20k median debt
Show all 26 programs
  • Biology

    84 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$64kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$21k median debt
  • Political Science

    79 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$75kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$22k median debt
  • Business Administration & Management

    72 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$107kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$24k median debt
  • Criminal Justice

    65 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$57kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$21k median debt
  • General EngineeringABET accreditedEngineering is accredited by ABET, the accreditor for engineering, computing, and applied science programs.

    49 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$94kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation~$23k median debt
  • Computer & Information Sciences

    33 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$77kmedian pay, 1 yr after graduation
  • Journalism

    22 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$59kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation
  • Music

    22 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation~$24k median debt
  • English

    19 degrees (2023-24)

    ~$65kmedian pay, 4 yrs after graduation
  • Kinesiology & Exercise Science

    17 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • History

    16 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Mathematics

    13 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Environmental Science & Natural Resources

    11 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

    11 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Education

    8 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Neuroscience

    8 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Fine & Studio Arts

    8 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Agricultural Business

    4 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Chemistry

    4 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Philosophy

    3 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation
  • Area Studies

    2 degrees (2023-24)

    Not publishedmedian pay after graduation

Median pay data is measured from graduates who received federal student aid.

Source: College Scorecard (2026) · IPEDS (2023-24) · ABET

Campus life

On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.

First-Years On Campus
96%
In Fraternities
51%
In Sororities
61%

Place

How the federal government classifies the area around the campus, and what a normal year of weather looks like there.

Setting
Large city
Location
Fort Worth, TX

Average temperature

Monthly high and low, °F
5933J
6337F
7045M
7852A
8562M
9370J
9773J
9873A
9065S
8154O
6944N
6036D
Snow a year
0 in
Precipitation a year
36 in
Days at 90°F or above
103
Days below 32°F
43

Thirty-year averages, measured at the nearest weather station rather than on campus — they describe the area, not the campus.

Source: IPEDS (HD2024) · NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, BENBROOK DAM, TX US station, 6.3 mi from campus

Enrollment by gender

38%
62%
Male
4,276
Female
6,876

Student diversity

Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.

White58.9%
Hispanic21.2%
Other12.8%
Black4.1%
Asian and Pacific Islander2.7%
Native American<1%