Is SMU (Southern Methodist University) a good company to work for?

SMU (Southern Methodist University) has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 1,178 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. 78% of employees would recommend working at SMU (Southern Methodist University) to a friend and 66% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about SMU (Southern Methodist University) have been left by employees working as Student Assistant , Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant .

Does SMU (Southern Methodist University) pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, SMU (Southern Methodist University) employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at SMU (Southern Methodist University). This rating has decreased by 7% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at SMU (Southern Methodist University)?

78% of SMU (Southern Methodist University) employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated SMU (Southern Methodist University) 4.1 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.9 for culture and values and 3.5 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at SMU (Southern Methodist University)?

Research Assistant (69) , Teaching Assistant (41) , Student Worker (29) , Graduate Teaching Assistant (28) , Graduate Research Assistant (24) , Assistant Director (22) , Director (21) , Student Assistant (17) , Tutor (14) , Assistant Professor (13) , Coordinator (11) , Associate Director (10) , Graduate Student (10) , Undergraduate Research Assistant (10) , Administrative Assistant (9)

What are the pros of working at SMU (Southern Methodist University) according to real employee reviews?

"Beautiful offices and campus." ((in 88 reviews)); "Great benefits and work environment" ((in 77 reviews)); "All the people here are nice and knowledgable" ((in 69 reviews)); "very flexible hours and able to work around your schedule" ((in 44 reviews)); "Meadows had a great culture." ((in 23 reviews))

What are the cons of working at SMU (Southern Methodist University) according to real employee reviews?

"Pay is low; Lack of pay" ((in 78 reviews)); "Low salaries and healthcare covers nothing" ((in 37 reviews)); "Management is poor." ((in 17 reviews)); "Pay isn't great, parking is annoying" ((in 14 reviews)); "lack of diversity in some departments" ((in 11 reviews))

What are employees saying about SMU (Southern Methodist University) layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about SMU (Southern Methodist University) layoffs and their outlook for job security at SMU (Southern Methodist University) in 2026.

What are the top reviewed SMU (Southern Methodist University) locations?

Dallas , Plano , Dallas-Fort Worth , Carrollton , Dallas , University Park , Herndon , New York , Portland , Allen , Frisco , Irving , McKinney , Rowlett , Waxahachie , Houston , Dallas , Dallas , Highland Park

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SMU (Southern Methodist University)

SMU (Southern Methodist University) reviews

4.2

78% would recommend to a friend

(1,070 total reviews)

R. Gerald Turner

92% approve of CEO

66% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.1

Work/Life balance

4.0

Diversity & inclusion

3.9

Culture & values

3.7

Senior management

3.5

Compensation and benefits

3.5

Career opportunities

SMU (Southern Methodist University) has an employee rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 1,070 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The SMU (Southern Methodist University) employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

1K reviews

4.0

Nov 24, 2025

Great work environment

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I work in the Advising Center, it is a great group of people and a very supportive, communicative working environment. You can tell that everyone cares about what they do and is dedicated to uplifting each other and improving the university as a whole. Management is great.

Cons

The higher ups are often making decisions that make our jobs harder. They are very removed from the faculty, staff, and students and so they institute new policies or changes that needlessly complicate things because they don't know what it's like to actually work in these student-facing offices.

5.0

Nov 24, 2025

Pony Up

Graduate assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexibility, ability to work part time as a student

Cons

Not applicable for this section

3.0

Nov 18, 2025

Strong culture but small club

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Nice people Emphasis on professional development (kind of) Holiday breaks Fun atmosphere

Cons

Poor salary ranges for those working below the director-level, despite the amount of work put in and essential services they provide. Absolutely zero upward mobility depending on what department you're in. Some departments have promoted employees that are only a year in, while I've met many who have worked here for 8–10 years but have only had one raise or promotion their entire tenure. Those doing the actual work are rarely (if ever) consulted. Executive hubris and managerial overconfidence

Viewing 25 - 27 of 1,070 Reviews

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Jobs at SMU (Southern Methodist University)

Guest Service Representative

Mane Desk Representative (HR Title: Enrollment Resources Representative)

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SMU (Southern Methodist University)

SMU (Southern Methodist University) reviews

Ratings by category

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Great work environment

Pony Up

Strong culture but small club

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