Dallas, TX · Private University
Is Southern Methodist University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$78,354
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,460
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,460
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$257,840
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.22x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
83.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$41,778
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Southern Methodist University graduates earn $33,354 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Southern Methodist University ranked by graduate earnings
121 graduates
38 graduates
30 graduates
19 graduates
39 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Southern Methodist University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Southern Methodist University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Finance and Financial Management Services: $113,839) and the lowest (Music: $25,780) is $88,059/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management ServicesBest ROI | $113,839 | 1.8x |
| Computer Science | $106,128 | 1.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $105,314 | 1.6x |
| Operations Research | $103,672 | 1.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $92,000 | 1.4x |
| Marketing | $83,357 | 1.3x |
| Mathematics | $79,735 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $79,400 | 1.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $77,801 | 1.2x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $76,759 | 1.2x |
| Economics | $74,491 | 1.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $70,754 | 1.1x |
| Anthropology | $68,161 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $65,722 | 1.0x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $65,215 | 1.0x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $63,791 | 1.0x |
| History | $62,508 | 1.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $57,200 | 0.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $52,597 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $52,450 | 0.8x |
| Journalism | $51,501 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $44,885 | 0.7x |
| Philosophy(1yr data) | $42,334 | 0.7x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $38,919 | 0.6x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $26,006 | 0.4x |
| MusicLowest | $25,780 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Methodist University | 1.22x | $78,354 | Average ROI |
| Chapman University | 1.12x | $70,070 | Average ROI |
| Baylor University | 1.20x | $65,793 | Average ROI |
| University of Dallas | 1.15x | $58,285 | Average ROI |
| Rhodes College | 1.21x | $66,651 | Average ROI |
| Furman University | 1.18x | $68,635 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Southern Methodist University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $78,354 10 years after starting — $33,354 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.