Southern Methodist University
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Southern Methodist University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 25% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 93rd percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (TX wage index 0.97). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Southern Methodist University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $83,159 | $133,852 | +61% | #9 of 452 | #6 | $19,439 |
| Computer Science | $93,679 | $126,590 | +18% | #59 of 349 | #50 | $25,625 |
| Mathematics | $74,516 | $111,773 | +61% | #15 of 309 | #12 | $20,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,659 | $106,799 | +56% | #21 of 1176 | #14 | $19,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $68,643 | $103,675 | +36% | #36 of 796 | #20 | $16,200 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $57,858 | $93,769 | +70% | #3 of 225 | #3 | $19,730 |
| Economics | $71,630 | $91,701 | +11% | #96 of 368 | #81 | $18,625 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,280 | $90,649 | -2% | #169 of 318 | #158 | $16,188 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,828 | $89,330 | +41% | #2 of 178 | #1 | $19,500 |
| Marketing | $50,790 | $88,627 | +28% | #31 of 516 | #25 | $19,000 |
| Biology | $39,087 | $78,466 | +37% | #28 of 841 | #20 | $20,500 |
| Statistics | $76,759 | — | — | — | — | $19,750 |
| Operations Research | $72,658 | — | — | — | — | $20,500 |
| Psychology | $38,115 | $72,136 | +42% | #21 of 1027 | #16 | $23,250 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $45,519 | $62,838 | +15% | #85 of 610 | #92 | $22,581 |
| Anthropology | $56,550 | — | — | — | — | $23,125 |
| Political Science and Government | $52,160 | — | — | — | — | $19,500 |
| English Language and Literature | $47,019 | — | — | — | — | $19,500 |
| Philosophy | $42,334 | — | — | — | — | $20,500 |
| Journalism | $40,502 | — | — | — | — | $17,250 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $40,434 | — | — | — | — | $19,500 |
| Chemistry | $38,919 | — | — | — | — | $22,750 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $38,154 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $23,831 | $35,844 | -10% | #199 of 255 | #195 | $22,000 |
| History | $33,550 | — | — | — | — | $22,280 |
| Music | $23,159 | — | — | — | — | $15,750 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
🏆 Where Southern Methodist University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $57,212 | $57,212 |
| Room | $11,250 | |
| Board | $6,980 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $86,090 | $86,090 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Southern Methodist University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Southern Methodist University?
How much does it cost to attend Southern Methodist University?
What is the graduation rate at Southern Methodist University?
Is Southern Methodist University a good school?
- Outcomes (A): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (B): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (B): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Southern Methodist University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Southern Methodist University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Southern Methodist University
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology