Computer Scienceat Southern Methodist University
Graduates earn $93,679/yr in their first year — about 27.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,018K; scenarios range from $753K to $1,071K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Southern Methodist University
At $93,679 per year, Computer Science graduates from Southern Methodist University significantly outpace the $73,713 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.
The 3.9x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.
AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 30% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The median debt load of $25,625 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #197 out of 345 programs, Southern Methodist University's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $93,679 to $116,586 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Southern Methodist University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Computer Science
How Southern Methodist University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Southern Methodist University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Southern Methodist University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Computer Science at Southern Methodist University
How does Southern Methodist University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 76/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Southern Methodist University trails the majority of Computer Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 72% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.