From Houston to the Hilltop
Every year, hundreds of students from the Houston area choose SMU to pursue their dreams for their careers and lives. And we’re proud the Houston area is home to the largest number of SMU alumni outside North Texas.
Choosing SMU in Dallas
- Nearly 7,300 Houston-area SMU alumni.
- Nearly 570 students from Houston area enrolled at SMU over the past five years.
- SMU is among the top 20% of national universities and is the highest-ranking national university in North Texas (U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings 2024).
Academics
- A nationally recognized comprehensive research university.
- More than 100 majors and 85 minors offered.
- Abundant opportunities to connect your academics to creative projects, internships and research.
Scholarships and financial aid
- Automatic consideration for SMU scholarships, many of which can be combined.
- SMU offers need-based support, including SMU-funded institutional awards as well as state and federal sources of financial assistance.
Removing barriers to college education
Through our Access SMU program, we meet full need for high-achieving Texas scholars who receive Federal Pell Grants and SMU merit scholarships.
Access SMU
Houston connections
Meet two Houston-area alumni who made use of the academics, resources and support network at SMU to forge successful pathways into their fields and make an impact.
A National Science Foundation graduate research fellow, Lauren Ammerman McCormick is making discoveries that could one day help people around the world.
During her time on the Hilltop, Peyton Woodson Cooper ’00 nurtured her passions for writing and storytelling by serving as a staff writer for the SMU Daily Campus. Woodson Cooper is the senior director of communications for TDECU, Houston’s largest credit union. She manages the internal and external communications strategy for the nonprofit cooperative that helps members navigate each stage of their financial journey.Shaping world changers
Around here you'll hear students say that being a Mustang means being a world changer – whether it's to launch a company that solves a problem, engage in research with far-reaching impact, or lead and rally people for a cause. Our world changer mindset attracts Mustangs from across the nation and around the world and inspires them to achieve their goals in a close-knit campus community.
We’re close to home
SMU in Dallas is about an hour’s flight to Houston. We’re close enough for you to drive home, too, whether you want to spend planned breaks or quick unscheduled trips with your family.
HOUSTON AREA MUSTANGS SAY:
“SMU has provided me a space where I feel I can fully show who I am and try new things.”
Lucia Chamness ’25
Montrose/River Oaks, Texas
“My favorite campus tradition is SMU's version of tailgating, which we call Boulevarding, especially during family weekend. The energy is high, and I love showing my parents around campus.”
Grant Richter ’26
The Woodlands, Texas
Houston admission counselor
Joe Francisco
Regional Director of Admission
jfrancisco@smu.edu
"Everyone has a story and their own experience creating a unique and positive culture when they meet at SMU. Students can get involved from Day One, including more than 200 clubs and organizations to be a part of. Strong traditions and history, as well as the tremendous support of faculty, staff and our great alumni network help make SMU a great place to be."
Questions? Let’s connect.
ugadmission@smu.edu214-768-2058 or 1-800-323-0672
Text us at 214-768-9990.
Learn more about life on the Hilltop SMU Experience