Southern Methodist University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$257,840
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$30,556/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
8.4 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
137%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Southern Methodist University's in-state tuition is $64,460. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $67,114. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $65,556, and ten years after graduation, median earnings rise to $78,354. The median debt for students is $19,500, and 21.7% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is not directly calculable from the provided data. However, the one-year earnings of $67,114 are more than three times the median debt of $19,500. This suggests a favorable debt-to-income ratio for graduates.
Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass tuition, is less than one year. The one-year median earnings of $67,114 exceed the in-state tuition of $64,460.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$64,460
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$65,556
Graduation Rate
83%
Receive Financial Aid
22%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $131,920 | 652% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $129,447 | 633% |
| Law | $120,122 | 560% |
| Economics | $74,491 | 206% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $91,305 | 337% |
| Education, Other | $61,932 | 109% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $0 | N/A |
| Information Science/Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $65,215 | 134% |
| Mathematics | $79,735 | 247% |
| Marketing | $127,373 | 617% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $70,754 | 177% |
Peer Comparison
137%
20yr ROI
135%
20yr ROI
167%
20yr ROI
260%
20yr ROI
259%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.