Psychology, General at Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,115/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #502 of 926 Psychology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Psychology, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $622K $611K $549K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 32

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
$23,250
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,774
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,115/yr, edging above the $31,705 national average for Psychology, General — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Psychology, General's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,250 represents roughly 7 months of the $38,115 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #502 of 926 Psychology, General programs, Southern Methodist University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $64,774 show a 70% jump from the $38,115 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Southern Methodist University

With a 61% acceptance rate, Southern Methodist University is moderately selective, 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

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists $109,840/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Psychology, General 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology, General at Southern Methodist University?
A score of 34/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology, General careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $548,601 in decade earnings vs $621,700 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →