University Park is a college town: 19 of every 100 residents are students
Southern Methodist University (10,993 students on campus) is inside the city, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2,501) is 3.7 miles from the center, in Dallas. Across Texas, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of University Park. Colleges are described, not graded.
Within 15 miles
23
101,744 students on campus
Nearest college
0.8 mi
Southern Methodist University
Residents in college
19%
Above TX (6%)
Nearest community college
5.7 mi
Dallas College · $2,730 tuition
Nearest public university
3.7 mi
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Students on campus in University Park
10,993
next to 25,323 residents
What stands out about college in University Park
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 4.9% of University Park residents are below the poverty line, 3.4% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 2 points either way). 25% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.
Cost of living D−
The Cost grade counts the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent, leaving it out only where students are a quarter of residents or more. Here they are 19%, so student incomes still weigh on that figure.
Health A+
CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and University Park’s median age is 29.4 (Texas 35.6), so the adult figures describe a young population.
Safety B
Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.
Every college
Colleges within 15 miles of University Park
19 private colleges within 14.1 miles, three public colleges within 13.1 miles, and two community colleges.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What it costs
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Family income
Starts at Over $110k, where University Park’s median household income ($250,001) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Outcomes
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of University Park: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: The College of Health Care Professions-Dallas (2); Concorde Career College-Dallas (2); MediaTech Institute-Dallas (2); Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth (5).
Majors
What students study in University Park
Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Southern Methodist University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.
Business 26%Social sciences 17%Communication 10%Visual & performing arts 7%Psychology 6%Biology 6%Everything else 28%
Biggest programs
Finance and Financial Management Services326 graduates a year
$134k4 yrs out
Economics139 graduates a year
$92k4 yrs out
Psychology, General123 graduates a year
$72k4 yrs out
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication107 graduates a year
$89k4 yrs out
Biology, General101 graduates a year
$78k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness99 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Computer Science95 graduates a year
$127k4 yrs out
Marketing88 graduates a year
$89k4 yrs out
College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.
Questions about college in University Park
Is University Park a college town?
Yes. 19 of every 100 University Park residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Texas. Southern Methodist University has 10,993 students on campus, next to 25,323 residents.
What colleges are in University Park?
Southern Methodist University is inside the city. the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is 3.7 miles from the center, in Dallas, Dallas Theological Seminary is 3.8 miles from the center, in Dallas, and Dallas College is 5.7 miles away in Dallas.
Why is University Park’s poverty rate so high?
Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 4.9% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 3.4% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 2 points).
What is the closest community college to University Park, and what does it cost?
Dallas College in Dallas, 5.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,730 a year for Texas residents; the federal net price, $3,214, counts housing and food at full cost.
How hard is it to get into Southern Methodist University?
Southern Methodist University admitted 63% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year; the middle half of admitted students scored 1,340–1,490 on the SAT.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of University Park. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain