Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private nonprofit university located in Dallas, Texas. It receives no state funding as a public institution would, and it operates independently under its own Board of Trustees. The U.S. Department of Education classifies SMU as a private nonprofit institution on the federal College Scorecard.
What Makes SMU Private
Public universities are funded in part by state governments, which typically keeps tuition lower for in-state residents. Private universities like SMU rely on tuition revenue, donations, and endowment income instead. That distinction shows up most clearly in the price tag: SMU charges a flat rate of $30,940 per semester for full-time undergraduates taking 12 to 18 credit hours, plus a general student fee of $328 per credit hour (capped at $3,921 per semester) for the 2025-2026 academic year. That works out to roughly $69,700 per year in tuition and fees alone, before room, board, or other expenses.
Because SMU sets its own tuition without state subsidies, there is no in-state versus out-of-state price difference. Every undergraduate pays the same rate regardless of where they live.
SMU’s Religious Affiliation
SMU was founded in 1911 by the United Methodist Church, and the two institutions still maintain a formal relationship. The university is home to Perkins School of Theology, one of the denomination’s leading seminaries. A joint statement from SMU and the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church describes the partnership as rooted in “shared commitments to faith, service, and community engagement.”
In practical terms, though, SMU operates as a nonsectarian research university. Students of all backgrounds attend, and there is no religious requirement for admission or graduation. The Methodist connection is part of the school’s identity and governance structure, but it does not make the day-to-day academic experience feel like a seminary.
Academics and Size
SMU enrolls roughly 12,000 students across seven degree-granting schools, covering business, engineering, law, the arts, humanities, and sciences. Class sizes tend to be smaller than what you would find at a large state flagship, which is one reason students choose private universities. The student-to-faculty ratio hovers around 11 to 1.
The university holds the Carnegie R1 classification, meaning it is recognized as a doctoral university with very high research activity. That puts it in the same research tier as many well-known public flagships, despite being privately funded.
How Financial Aid Changes the Picture
Sticker price and actual cost are rarely the same at private universities. SMU awards both merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid, and a significant share of undergraduates receive some form of institutional aid. When comparing SMU’s cost to a public university, the number that matters is your net price after grants and scholarships, not the published tuition rate. SMU’s financial aid office and the federal Net Price Calculator on the university’s website can give you a personalized estimate based on your family’s income and academic profile.