SMU Advances in State and National Rankings

Dallas, September 24, 2025

News Summary

Southern Methodist University (SMU) has once again secured its position as a leading institution in Texas, being ranked as the 5th best university state-wide. The university improved its national rank from 91st to 88th in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2026. With a 63% acceptance rate and annual tuition of $69,722, SMU stands out as the highest-ranked university in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This achievement highlights SMU’s commitment to academic excellence and student success in a competitive educational landscape.

Dallas — Southern Methodist University (SMU) retained a top state position and improved its national standing in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2026, solidifying its place as a leading institution in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Key facts at a glance

SMU is recognized as Texas’ 5th best university for 2026 according to U.S. News & World Report. SMU moved up three spots to rank No. 88 nationally, improving from No. 91 last year. The university is the highest-ranked institution in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. SMU’s acceptance rate is 63 percent, with in-state tuition and fees totaling $69,722 annually.

Regional and state context

Other North Texas institutions also placed strongly in national and regional lists. Texas Christian University (TCU) ranks 6th in Texas and tied for 97th nationally, up from 105 last year. TCU has an acceptance rate of 44 percent and annual tuition of $63,590. UT Dallas, ranked 7th in Texas, is the top public university in North Texas.

Public university standings in the state show additional movement: The University of North Texas ranked 6th among public universities in Texas and improved its national ranking to 208th. Five other universities from North Texas, including TCU and UT Dallas, are listed among the state’s top schools.

Other Dallas-Fort Worth and regional placements

• Southwestern Adventist University tied for No. 17 in the regional ranking for Best Colleges in the West.
• The University of Dallas ranked 9th and The University of North Texas at Dallas ranked 41st in the regional Best Universities in the West.
• Parker University ranked 46th and Waxahachie’s Nelson University ranked 81st in the regional ranking.

Rankings methodology and trends

U.S. News compares nearly 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities using 17 metrics measuring academic quality, including graduation rates and borrower debt. In response to calls for broader measures of student success, U.S. News added criteria in 2023 to emphasize graduation rates for first-generation college students. Critics of traditional rankings continue to note that lists often emphasize prestige over social mobility and return on investment.

Program- and reputation-related notes

SMU’s graduate programs performed strongly in U.S. News’ separate program-level rankings, contributing to the university’s overall academic profile. Independent lists also recognized SMU: Forbes recognized SMU as one of its top universities for 2025. Additionally, The Princeton Review included SMU in its “hall of fame” list for the best U.S. colleges in 2026. Observers note that employer demand and alignment between academic programs and workforce needs remain central to how rankings and reputations evolve.

Financial and admissions indicators

Admissions selectivity and sticker-price costs vary across institutions cited in the rankings. As stated earlier, SMU’s acceptance rate is 63 percent, with in-state tuition and fees totaling $69,722 annually. By comparison, TCU has an acceptance rate of 44 percent and annual tuition of $63,590. These figures are part of the broader metrics used by ranking organizations to compare institutions.

What this means for prospective students

Prospective students and families often use state and national rankings as one of several tools for evaluating colleges. The 2026 results highlight institutions that improved their national placements or maintained strong regional positions. The rankings also underscore ongoing scrutiny over what metrics best represent student outcomes and value.

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Additional Resources

• Dallas News: North Texas Schools Rankings
• Wikipedia: Southern Methodist University
• CultureMap Dallas: SMU Rankings
• Google Search: Texas Christian University
• CultureMap Fort Worth: TCU Rankings
• Encyclopedia Britannica: University of Texas at Dallas
• WFAA: North Texas Universities Rankings
• Google News: North Texas Universities Rankings

Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER

DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.