The average acceptance rate at SMU over the past 10 years is 52.77%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 63.35%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly easier to gain admission to SMU in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 20.86%, and the 2025 yield is 17.77%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 17.75% from 2015 to 2025.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 63.35%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that SMU is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 17.77%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at SMU. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, SMU received approximately 15,245 applications, admitted 9,657 students, and enrolled 1,716 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that SMU is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
SMU 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at SMU over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 52.77%, while the most recent rate stands at 63.35%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 63.35%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 52.29% and for women is 53.13%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at SMU have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 48.95% | 50.64% | 47.57% |
| 2016-17 | 48.92% -0.03% |
50.00% -0.64% |
48.01% 0.45% |
| 2017-18 | 48.77% -0.15% |
49.80% -0.20% |
47.87% -0.14% |
| 2018-19 | 51.23% 2.47% |
51.72% 1.92% |
50.77% 2.91% |
| 2019-20 | 47.29% -3.95% |
47.57% -4.15% |
47.03% -3.74% |
| 2020-21 | 52.67% 5.38% |
53.17% 5.60% |
52.21% 5.17% |
| 2021-22 | 53.00% 0.33% |
50.01% -3.17% |
55.00% 2.79% |
| 2022-23 | 52.25% -0.75% |
49.91% -0.10% |
54.31% -0.69% |
| 2023-24 | 61.22% 8.97% |
58.62% 8.71% |
63.54% 9.23% |
| 2024-25 | 63.35% 2.12% |
61.48% 2.86% |
64.99% 1.45% |
| Average | 52.77% | 52.29% | 53.13% |
SMU has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 21.60% in 2015 to 17.77% in 2025, representing a 17.75% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 20.86%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at SMU from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 17.75% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 21.60% | 24.07% | 19.44% |
| 2016-17 | 23.48% 1.88% |
25.41% 1.34% |
21.78% 2.35% |
| 2017-18 | 22.23% -1.25% |
23.65% -1.76% |
20.94% -0.84% |
| 2018-19 | 23.70% 1.47% |
25.50% 1.85% |
21.96% 1.01% |
| 2019-20 | 23.39% -0.30% |
25.02% -0.48% |
21.91% -0.05% |
| 2020-21 | 20.75% -2.64% |
21.65% -3.36% |
19.90% -2.01% |
| 2021-22 | 18.99% -1.75% |
20.01% -1.64% |
18.01% -1.89% |
| 2022-23 | 19.42% 0.43% |
19.66% -0.35% |
19.23% 1.22% |
| 2023-24 | 17.23% -2.19% |
18.72% -0.94% |
16.01% -3.22% |
| 2024-25 | 17.77% 0.54% |
19.18% 0.47% |
16.59% 0.58% |
| Average | 20.86% | 22.29% | 19.58% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 14,211, the average number of admitted is 7,533, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 1,545.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Southern Methodist University from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 12,992 | 6,360 | 1,374 |
| 2016-17 | 13,250 1.99% |
6,482 1.92% |
1,522 10.77% |
| 2017-18 | 13,128 -0.92% |
6,402 -1.23% |
1,423 -6.50% |
| 2018-19 | 12,603 -4.00% |
6,457 0.86% |
1,530 7.52% |
| 2019-20 | 13,959 10.76% |
6,601 2.23% |
1,544 0.92% |
| 2020-21 | 14,010 0.37% |
7,379 11.79% |
1,531 -0.84% |
| 2021-22 | 15,685 11.96% |
8,313 12.66% |
1,579 3.14% |
| 2022-23 | 16,150 2.96% |
8,439 1.52% |
1,639 3.80% |
| 2023-24 | 15,092 -6.55% |
9,240 9.49% |
1,592 -2.87% |
| 2024-25 | 15,245 1.01% |
9,657 4.51% |
1,716 7.79% |
| Average | 14,211 | 7,533 | 1,545 |
The following table compares Southern Methodist University' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Methodist University | 61.22% | 63.35% | 3.48% |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | 85.29% | 87.67% | -2.71% |
| University of South Florida | 43.19% | 40.96% | 5.44% |
| Temple University | 80.41% | 82.92% | -3.03% |
| University of Central Florida | 40.11% | 39.52% | 1.49% |
| University of Louisville | 79.41% | 80.54% | -1.40% |
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