SMU named among ‘Best Colleges for Future Leaders’ by TIME

SMU alumni are among the most influential leaders in the U.S., according to TIME Magazine’s 2026 “” list. The University was recognized as one of 125 top national institutions shaping high achievers across business, politics, science, academia, the creative industries and more.

To determine the ranking, TIME and Statista analyzed a diverse group of 4,800 influential figures shaping society – from policymakers and corporate executives to leading scientists, educators, and cultural innovators. The dataset is updated annually to include younger leaders in emerging fields and industries. 

Leaders were selected based on their current positions, with an emphasis on tracing the paths that led them to these influential roles. To focus on career progression rather than present status, current positions were excluded from analysis. The dataset highlights only the experiences that contributed to leaders’ advancement.

Leadership development is embedded throughout the student experience at SMU, from the Crain Emerging Leaders program for first-year students and Hunt Leadership Scholars Program, to the Caswell Leadership Fellows program for a year-long impact project and the Cultivate "Leadership Think Tank" for third- and fourth-year students. The Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership within SMU’s Cox School of Business provides resources, programming and community to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs.

SMU’s graduate and professional programs develop leaders across a breadth of disciplines, including law, business, engineering, education, theology, the arts and health sciences. The Dedman School of Law and the Cox School of Business are both nationally recognized, producing influential alumni whose work is shaping industries and institutions across the world.

“Principled leadership is instilled across every major at SMU, whether students study business or engineering, law or the arts, communications, education or the health sciences,” President Jay Hartzell said. “Our graduates lead Fortune 500 companies, launch bold new ventures, advance groundbreaking research and strengthen the cultural and civic fabric of Dallas and beyond. Their impact is tangible and far-reaching, and it reflects the power of an SMU education to prepare graduates for leading with integrity, vision and purpose.”