Music at Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
17
Base Case
11
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,159/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 1.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #224 of 240 Music programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Music graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $456K $460K $433K
Earnings Multiple 1.8x 1.8x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 17 11

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$257,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$167,112
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,750
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,194
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Southern Methodist University's Music graduates start at $23,159/yr, trailing the $28,116 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

An earnings multiple of 1.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $15,750 debt-to-$23,159 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #224 out of 240 programs, Southern Methodist University's financial outcomes for Music trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,159 to $35,194 over five years (52% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University's 61% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 7,106 in Dallas, TX. The average net cost of $167,112 over four years represents a 35% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Methodist University →

Top Career Paths

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
Sound engineering technicians $66,430/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Music at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Methodist University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southern Methodist University's Music program score?
This program scores 17/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Music to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Music careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Music earnings lower at Southern Methodist University?
Lower starting pay at Southern Methodist University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →