All SMU majors by area
- Humanities & Languages · 16
- Business & Finance · 10
- Science & Math · 10
- Engineering · 9
- Arts & Design · 7
- Social Sciences & Public Service · 7
- Communications & Media · 3
- Health & Medicine · 3
- Education · 2
- Technology & Computing · 2
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish / French / Romance Languages | $57,858 | $93,769 | $19,730 |
| Area Studies | — | — | — |
| Classics | — | — | — |
| East Asian Languages (Chinese / Japanese / Korean) | — | — | — |
| English | $47,019 | — | $19,500 |
| Ethnic / Gender Studies | — | — | — |
| German | — | — | — |
| History | $33,550 | — | $23,250 |
| International / Global Studies | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts / General Studies | — | — | — |
| Medieval and Renaissance Studies | — | — | — |
| Middle / Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | $42,334 | — | $21,500 |
| Religious Studies | — | — | — |
| Writing | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance | $83,159 | $133,852 | $19,500 |
| Business Administration | $60,659 | $106,799 | $19,500 |
| Accounting | $68,643 | $103,675 | $15,850 |
| Economics | $71,630 | $91,701 | $19,500 |
| Marketing | $50,790 | $88,627 | $20,500 |
| Business | — | — | — |
| Insurance | — | — | — |
| Management Information Systems | — | — | — |
| Management Science / Analytics | — | — | — |
| Real Estate | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | $74,516 | $111,773 | $21,000 |
| Biology | $39,087 | $78,466 | $22,125 |
| Biochemistry | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | $38,919 | — | $23,250 |
| Cognitive Science | — | — | — |
| Environmental Science / Conservation | — | — | — |
| Geology / Earth Science | — | — | — |
| Physics | — | — | — |
| Statistics | $76,759 | — | $19,750 |
| Sustainability Studies | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,280 | $90,649 | $17,708 |
| Civil Engineering | — | — | — |
| Computer Engineering | — | — | — |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | — | — | — |
| Electrical Engineering | — | — | — |
| Engineering | — | — | — |
| Engineering-Related Fields | — | — | — |
| Environmental Engineering | — | — | — |
| Operations Research | $72,658 | — | $20,500 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theatre | $23,831 | $35,844 | $24,000 |
| Arts and Entertainment Management | — | — | — |
| Dance | — | — | — |
| Film and Photography | — | — | — |
| Graphic / Interior / Fashion Design | — | — | — |
| Music | $23,159 | — | $18,417 |
| Studio Art | $38,154 | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations and Advertising | $51,828 | $89,330 | $19,750 |
| Communications | — | — | — |
| Journalism | $40,502 | — | $19,448 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology / Exercise Science | $45,519 | $62,838 | $20,475 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | — | — | — |
| Rehabilitation / Therapy Sciences | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | — | — | — |
| Education (Subject Teaching) | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $93,679 | $126,590 | $26,000 |
| Data Science | — | — | — |
College Scorecard field of study, latest release: median earnings of graduates who received federal aid, 1 and 4 years after graduating; median federal loan debt. — means too few graduates to report.
From major to career
Finance → Financial analyst
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Public Relations and Advertising → Public relations specialist
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Across all majors, former SMU students earn a median $78,354 ten years after starting college, more than 94% of Texas colleges we cover. 84% graduate within six years.
SMU majors questions
How many majors does SMU offer?
Southern Methodist University offers 69 bachelor's majors across 10 areas; the most majors are in Humanities & Languages and Business & Finance.
What is the highest-paying major at SMU?
Finance graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median $133,852 four years after graduating, the highest of the 14 majors with reported earnings. Their median debt is $19,500.
Which SMU majors earn the least?
Among majors with reported earnings, Theatre graduates earn the least: a median $35,844 four years after graduating.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study); Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections). Back to Southern Methodist University overview