Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Southern Methodist University #316 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $95,051, placing Southern Methodist University in the 93.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Finance #7 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions — a program-level anchor that reflects Southern Methodist University's concentration in business and applied professional fields. --- Students at Southern Methodist University achieve strong median earnings four years after enrollment, with the institution's business-dominant program mix driving outcomes that place it well above most comparable institutions. Azimuth's composite ranking reflects a return profile anchored by Finance and supported by broad professional-field strength across Dallas's deep employer market.
Azimuth ranks Southern Methodist University #316 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University enrolls roughly 7,277 undergraduates. Retention stands at 90.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 84.3%, reflecting strong degree-completion performance relative to most institutions in the Azimuth coverage set. Where Southern Methodist University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Southern Methodist University #28 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median four-year earnings of $95,051, and earn about $19,869 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southern Methodist University in the 95.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant concentration in Business — with Business representing 27% of degree output — anchors a program mix that channels graduates into high-earning career paths in the Dallas metro and beyond. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Southern Methodist University admits about 63.3% of applicants, a selectivity level that limits the size of each entering class and the share of lower-income students enrolled — 12.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 15.7% are first-generation students. Southern Methodist University sits in the 32.9 percentile for access and the 6.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the tradeoffs common to selective private universities where strong outcomes are concentrated among a narrower applicant pool.
Southern Methodist University's published cost of attendance is $85,606. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $23,544, middle-income families pay around $24,152, and higher-income families pay approximately $58,213. Azimuth ranks Southern Methodist University #1328 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Southern Methodist University's aid structure combines need-based and merit-based components. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile; the university meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students according to its published aid policies. Merit scholarships are available for qualifying students, and work-study is offered as part of aid packages. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though families should understand that net price and sticker price can differ substantially — the net price figures above are what typical families in each income band actually pay after aid. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $40,025; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $95,051, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Southern Methodist University is a strong fit for students drawn to business, finance, and related professional fields who want a private research university experience in Dallas, TX, with access to a major corporate job market and strong long-term earnings outcomes. Graduates earn median $95,051 four years after enrollment, placing Southern Methodist University in the 93.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $19,869 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southern Methodist University in the 95.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure is more limited than at need-blind peers. Southern Methodist University enrolls 12.8% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 15.7% first-generation students — a smaller share than many comparable institutions — and higher-income families pay a net price of $58,213, with median student debt at graduation of $19,500. Families who can manage that upfront cost will find the earnings trajectory among the stronger outcomes for a private university in the South. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 63.3% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program portfolio is concentrated in Business and related professional fields — students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes and the clearest path to Southern Methodist University's earnings advantage.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Southern Methodist University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Southern Methodist University's published cost of attendance is $85,606. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $23,544, middle-income families pay around $24,152, and higher-income families pay approximately $58,213.
Azimuth ranks Southern Methodist University #1328 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Southern Methodist University's aid structure combines need-based and merit-based components. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile; the university meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students according to its published aid policies.
Merit scholarships are available for qualifying students, and work-study is offered as part of aid packages. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though families should understand that [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) — the net price figures above are what typical families in each income band actually pay after aid.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $40,025; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $95,051, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Southern Methodist University earn median 4-year earnings of $95,051, placing Southern Methodist University in the 93.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $19,869 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southern Methodist University in the 95.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Southern Methodist University #28 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern at Southern Methodist University is anchored in business and professional fields, consistent with its dominant concentration in Business. Finance stands out as the program combining the largest graduate cohort with strong four-year earnings, making it a key driver of the institution's overall return profile.
Among the largest programs by scale, Finance program graduates 290 students and delivers median four-year earnings of $133,852, with Azimuth ranking the program #7 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). The Economics program graduates 160 students with median four-year earnings of $91,701, and Azimuth ranks that program #90 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
On the higher-earning end, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication delivers median four-year earnings of $89,330, with Azimuth ranking it #1 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, while Psychology, General and Kinesiology round out a program mix that clusters strongly in finance, management, and applied business disciplines — fields that align well with TX's deep employer base in financial services, energy, and technology.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of The Pacific Higher acceptance rate (33.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CA | 95% | $78,445 | Compare |
Marquette University Higher acceptance rate (26.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | WI | 87% | $78,257 | Compare |
Texas Christian University Same state (35 miles away) (earnings difference: 12.7%) and similar program focus; same institution type | TX | 43% | $68,424 | Compare |
Texas Christian University Same state (35 miles away) (earnings difference: 12.7%) and similar program focus; same institution type | TX | 43% | $68,424 | Compare |
Baylor University Same state (92 miles away) (earnings difference: 16%) and similar program focus; same institution type | TX | 51% | $65,793 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of San Francisco Similar quality tier (#10691 ranked) | CA | 62% | $89,812 | #10691 | Compare |
University Of Richmond Similar quality tier (#10673 ranked) | VA | 22% | $76,178 | #10673 | Compare |
University Of Miami Similar quality tier (#10705 ranked) | FL | 19% | $75,328 | #10705 | Compare |
Depaul University Similar quality tier (#9633 ranked) | IL | 76% | $68,751 | #9633 | Compare |
Case Western Reserve University Similar quality tier (#10714 ranked) | OH | 37% | $87,989 | #10714 | Compare |
Finance and Financial Management Services
290 graduates
Computer Science
90 graduates
Mathematics
82 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
55 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
75 graduates
Southern Methodist University's program mix is anchored in business, finance, and applied quantitative fields — a signature well matched to its location in one of the country's most active commercial and financial centers. Business forms the core of the institution's degree output, with Business accounting for 27% of graduates, followed by Social Sciences at 11% and Engineering at 6%.
Across 45 programs, 13 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 2,072 students annually. Finance anchors the institution's strongest aggregate return, combining meaningful cohort scale with competitive median earnings four years after enrollment — the combination of volume and pay that drives the most economic value for graduates.
Finance, the largest program with 290 graduates, delivers median earnings of $133,852 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks it #7 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Economics (160 graduates) follows with median earnings of $91,701, and Azimuth ranks it #90 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Psychology, General round out the high-enrollment tier, each delivering solid early-career median earnings that reflect the institution's applied-professional orientation. The highest-earning programs at Southern Methodist University cluster in finance, computing, and quantitative fields — pathways where graduates enter the Dallas labor market and national employer networks directly.
Finance leads on median earnings four years after enrollment at $133,852, and Azimuth ranks it #7 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Computer Science and Mathematics follow closely, each posting median earnings that place them among the stronger-performing programs in their respective fields nationally.
These are high-mobility pathways where four-year median earnings reflect direct labor-market outcomes rather than graduate-school deferrals. For context on how these fields align with national hiring demand, see the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/).
