https://www.smu.edu/Academics/StudentAchievement/Retention
For the fall 2015 class, SMU’s retention rate was 91%. The University completed many new dorms since then with the intent of further raising the retention and graduation rates. There is also now a requirement that all students live on campus the first TWO years. That’s probably higher than its peers.
Most private schools with rankings of 50+ are offering generous merit based scholarships. SMU wants to compete for top students with UT-Austin or other top public universities. For some, its financial aid puts SMU in the same ballpark as top public Us and SMU’s class sizes and personal attention can seal the deal.
I recruit undergrads at SMU and they are top-notch. I also know quite a few students and they do just fine without being in Greek organizations. Band, RAs, transfer students from CC, Christian Greek org, national Greek. A more diverse mix of students keeps enrolling.