Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition for the 2026-2027 Academic year is $1,130 per credit. Tuition is charged per credit, and DataScience@SMU is a 33.5-credit program. Please note that fees are subject to change and may rise each year. Students are assessed a $100 distance learning fee per credit. Students can expect to pay at least $37,855 without fees for the program.

Full tuition for the term is due eight days prior to the start of each term and can be paid online.

Please see the full time (5 track) and part time (7 track) SMU Tuition Tables below for the 2026-2027 academic year. Please keep in mind that the amounts are estimates; tuition and fees are subject to change.

• 5 Term Track (FT)

  expand_more

  Fall

  Term	Starts	Credits	Cost/Credit Hour	Tuition
  Year 1 / Term 1	Fall	7.5	$1,130	$8,475
  Year 1 / Term 2	Spring	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 1 / Term 3	Summer	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 2 / Term 4	Fall	7	$1,130	$7,910
  Year 2 / Term 5	Spring	7	$1,130	$7,910
  TOTAL	n/a	33.5	n/a	$37,855

  Spring

  Term	Starts	Credits	Cost/Credit Hour	Tuition
  Year 1 / Term 1	Spring	7.5	$1,130	$8,475
  Year 1 / Term 2	Summer	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 2 / Term 3	Fall	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 2 / Term 4	Spring	7	$1,130	$7,910
  Year 2 / Term 5	Summer	7	$1,130	$7,910
  TOTAL	n/a	33.5	n/a	$37,855

  Notes

  FAFSA School Code: 003613

  4.5 credits minimum for FSA

  1.5 credit immersion

  gradfinaid@smu.edu 214-768-3348

• 7 Term Track (PT)

  expand_more

  Fall

  Term	Starts	Credits	Cost/Credit Hour	Tuition
  Year 1 / Term 1	Fall	4.5	$1,130	$5,085
  Year 1 / Term 2	Spring	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 1 / Term 3	Summer	3	$1,130	$3,390
  Year 2 / Term 4	Fall	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 2 / Term 5	Spring	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 2 / Term 6	Summer	4	$1,130	$4,520
  Year 2 / Term 7	Fall	4	$1,130	$4,520
  TOTAL	n/a	33.5	n/a	$37,855

  Spring

  Term	Starts	Credits	Cost/Credit Hour	Tuition
  Year 1 / Term 1	Spring	4.5	$1,130	$5,085
  Year 1 / Term 2	Summer	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 2 / Term 3	Fall	3	$1,130	$3,390
  Year 2 / Term 4	Spring	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 2 / Term 5	Summer	6	$1,130	$6,780
  Year 3 / Term 6	Fall	4	$1,130	$4,520
  Year 3 / Term 7	Spring	4	$1,130	$4,520
  TOTAL	n/a	33.5	n/a	$37,855

  Notes

  FAFSA School Code: 003613

  4.5 credits minimum for FSA

  1.5 credit immersion

  gradfinaid@smu.edu 214-768-3348

A nonrefundable $300 tuition prepayment is required prior to enrollment.

DataScience@SMU tuition does not include books, supplies or travel to and from the immersion at SMU. You may incur additional expenses for the immersion and should plan ahead to cover these expenses for the immersion course, which is required to complete the program.

You can purchase textbooks for all courses at the SMU Official Bookstore.

How to Seek Out Employer Sponsorship

Many potential graduate students seek support from their current employers to fund their graduate degree. Though your employer may not advertise funding for graduate studies, many employers know that helping employees develop their skills benefits the organization in the short and long term. Tell your employer about your professional development goals, and discuss what options and support are available to you.

To seek out an employer sponsorship, we suggest you contact your human resources department to find out if sponsorships are available, along with any requirements or expectations. Be prepared to articulate the benefit of your continued education and why it will make you more valuable to your organization.

Please visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for information on military education benefits.

DataScience@SMU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for students who are active military members or veterans. Learn more about the Yellow Ribbon Program.

If you plan to apply for student financial aid to help fund your studies at SMU, you will need to complete the following steps.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the Federal Student Aid website. The SMU school code is 003613. Be sure to sign your FAFSA application electronically upon submission.

Starting July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS Loans will no longer be offered for new borrowers and borrowing limits will be introduced for new loans, meaning federal loans may no longer cover the full cost of attendance for many graduate students. If you’re planning to begin a graduate degree program in fall 2026 or later, start planning now (ideally before you apply) to find alternative funding options. This change will affect people seeking federal financial aid for the Master of Science in Data Science online program at Southern Methodist University; primarily, those who enroll on or after July 1, 2026.

Most graduate students will be limited to borrowing up to $20,500 per year for graduate degrees, including this program. The incoming changes will also limit lifetime loans for graduate degrees to $100,000. If you do not plan to study full time, your loan limit may be lower. Learn more details here.

Early planning is the most important thing you can do. The financial aid office can help you build a plan:

Visit Our Website

Speak with a financial aid advisor

Already enrolled? If your federal loans were disbursed before July 1, 2026, you may be able to continue borrowing under prior rules, including Grad PLUS, with limitations. Taking a leave of absence, withdrawing, transferring, or changing programs/institutions after June 30, 2026 could affect your eligibility. Contact the financial aid office before making any enrollment changes.

Many graduate and professional students borrow a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan to cover tuition and expenses that exceed the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Direct PLUS Loans are credit-based. If you plan to borrow a Direct PLUS Loan:

Note: Credit decisions expire in 180 days.

Upon admission to DataScience@SMU, you will receive login information for access to your student portal, MySMU, which houses a number of financial aid forms.

Submit an Intent to Enroll form and a Self Certification form. The Financial Aid Office will review your financial aid application after you have submitted your enrollment decision and will send an email notification to review your financial aid award offer via your SMU email account.

Note: You must be enrolled in a minimum of 4.5 units per term to be eligible for federal student aid. If your enrollment status changes before the add/drop deadline, you must contact the Financial Aid Office.

In order for funds to be released to SMU, you must:

For more information, download our Financial Aid Checklist (PDF, 82kb) or read our Financial Aid FAQs (PDF, 207kb).