Southern Methodist University

In 2022, Southern Methodist University's tuition was $55,012 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 2.9%–from $53,464 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Texas as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as Texas residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to check your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Texas colleges

Tuition for International Students at Southern Methodist University

Tuition at SMU is the same for all students.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or SMU-specific aid and scholarships.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

---

Southern Methodist University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

---

Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at SMU.

House and Food Costs at SMU

Room and board at SMU costs $15,334 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at SMU

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at SMU

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area may be expensive, but there may be more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Southern Methodist Universityis located in a urban setting in Texas, near Dallas-Fort Worth.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to factor in the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

---

Total Tuition and Expenses at Southern Methodist University

---

Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to SMU.

How Much Does SMU Cost?

What will the cost of attending SMU be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$55,012
Room and Board	$15,334
Other expenses	$1,600

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$79,714
Off-Campus	$64,380

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

---

Southern Methodist University Financial Aid

---

In 2022, 2,048 of the 6,908 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. SMU meets 84.8% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $47,782 a year. Around 29% of SMU undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. SMU graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $35,324 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$18,716
State Loans	$69,162
SMU-Specific Loans	$5,430
Private Loans	$50,632

Most Common Loans for SMU Students
Federal Loans	28%
State loans	2%
Institutional Loans	2%
Private loans	7%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on SMU financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Southern Methodist University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, SMU awarded 1,982 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $74.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $82.74 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Southern Methodist University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for SMU students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at SMU was $47,782 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of SMU seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$31,932
Off-Campus	$16,598

What will attending SMU really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the SMU's net cost calculator on their website.

Southern Methodist University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

SMU offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Southern Methodist University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

SMU has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

---

Learn More About Southern Methodist University

---

Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about SMU