Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 82.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 83.3%
- Retention Rate
- 89.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $78,354
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $19,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 75.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $207/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $120,363 | $98,182 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. | Master | $111,196 | $70,114 |
| Manufacturing Engineering. | Master | $109,763 | |
| Real Estate. | Master | $106,421 | $51,966 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $101,558 | $85,733 |
| Marketing. | Master | $101,072 | |
| Systems Engineering. | Master | $101,072 | |
| Operations Research. | Master | $90,412 | |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $86,867 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $81,554 | $145,569 |
| Computer Systems Analysis. | Master | $81,491 | $95,275 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master | $78,971 | $60,100 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $25,625 |
| Operations Research. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $20,500 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,737 |
Outcomes Overview
SMU graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $19,500, creating a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of just 25% against their $78,354 median salary after ten years. Monthly loan payments of $207 represent only 3.1% of typical graduate income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong ties to Dallas's finance and energy sectors, plus its notable business alumni network, help explain the 95% employment rate. Many graduates land positions at major corporations headquartered in Dallas or enter lucrative fields like investment banking and consulting. With relatively low debt burdens and access to high-paying industries through an influential alumni network, SMU delivers a strong return on investment.