Southern Methodist University
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
vs 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, alumni earn a median of $65,556, and ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median of $78,354. The median debt for students is $19,500.
The debt-to-income ratio is calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings. For Southern Methodist University, the debt-to-income ratio is 0.29. The break-even timeline is calculated by dividing the median debt by the difference between one-year earnings and tuition. The break-even timeline is 0.6 years.
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
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $257,840 | $113,839 | 512% |
| Law. | $257,840 | $120,122 | 560% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $257,840 | $129,447 | 633% |
| Economics. | $257,840 | $74,491 | 206% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | $257,840 | $0 | N/A |
| Education, Other. | $257,840 | $61,932 | 109% |
| Information Science/Studies. | $257,840 | $0 | N/A |
| Mathematics. | $257,840 | $79,735 | 247% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $257,840 | $131,920 | 652% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | $257,840 | $65,215 | 134% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $257,840 | $91,305 | 337% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $257,840 | $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)
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.