by our College Data Analytics TeamIs SMU worth the money? College Factual’s value analysis weighs the quality of education against the cost. Here is the verdict.
SMU is ranked #3,122 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within Texas, it ranks #181 of 184 for value.
These SMU majors earned the highest value rankings from College Factual.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| General Operations Research | #6 of 6 |
| Operations Research | #6 of 6 |
| Engineering | #6 of 6 |
| International Policy Analysis | #7 of 7 |
| Real Estate | #34 of 35 |
| Communications / Public Relations | #38 of 39 |
| General Organizational Communication | #38 of 39 |
| General Public Policy Analysis | #38 of 38 |
| Public Policy | #39 of 39 |
| Public Administration | #39 of 39 |
Below is the detailed SMU value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Southern Methodist University is ranked #8 out of #201 in Texas for quality and #181 out of #184 for Texas value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the SMU financial aid page to be sure.
Southern Methodist University is ranked #3,122 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, Southern Methodist University is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at SMU costs about $55,230. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $220,921 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $85,699 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $40,892 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $55,230 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $220,921 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the SMU net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
The price you actually pay depends on your circumstances — most students do not pay the full sticker price.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a SMU degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $342,796 | — | — |
| All Students | $220,921 | #3,122 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $163,568 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $342,796 | — | — |
| All Students | $220,921 | #181 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $163,568 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at SMU shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $30,165 |
| $30K–$48K | $16,581 |
| $48K–$75K | $24,746 |
| $75K–$110K | $37,145 |
| Over $110K | $57,595 |
About 68% of SMU undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $37,410 per year. Get more details on the SMU financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the SMU net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.