SMU's tuition & fees has increased from $48,190 (2015) to $67,040 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 39.12% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $46,316 (year 2015) to $37,278 (year 2025).
SMU's tuition increase rate is higher than the Texas's average increase rate of 5.09%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 33.41% from 2015 ($67,165).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, SMU's COA is $89,602, which is increased by 4.08% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to SMU's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 39.12% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $59,500. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Southern Methodist University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $800, and it has not changed since 2015.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $800 | - |
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| 2016-17 | $800 | |
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| 2017-18 | $800 | |
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| 2018-19 | $800 | |
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| 2019-20 | $800 | |
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| 2020-21 | $800 | |
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| 2021-22 | $800 | |
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| 2022-23 | $800 | |
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| 2023-24 | $800 | |
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| 2024-25 | $800 | |
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Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 19.09% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 25.13% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Southern Methodist University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $18,175 | $11,300 | - |
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| 2016-17 | $18,725 | $11,300 | 3.03% |
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| 2017-18 | $19,110 | $11,300 | 2.06% |
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| 2018-19 | $19,445 | $11,300 | 1.75% |
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| 2019-20 | $19,350 | $11,300 | -0.49% |
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| 2020-21 | $19,710 | $11,300 | 1.86% |
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| 2021-22 | $20,038 | $11,300 | 1.66% |
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| 2022-23 | $20,350 | $11,300 | 1.56% |
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| 2023-24 | $20,830 | $13,408 | 2.36% |
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| 2024-25 | $21,762 | $14,012 | 4.47% |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Southern Methodist University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Southern Methodist University | $67,040 | $64,460 | 4.00% |
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| University of Houston | $22,547 | $22,191 | 1.60% |
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|
| University of South Florida | $17,324 | $17,324 | - |
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|
| University of Memphis | $15,384 | $14,784 | 4.06% |
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|
| University of Connecticut | $43,712 | $43,034 | 1.58% |
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| University of Central Florida | $22,467 | $22,467 | - |
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