International/Global Studies at Southern Methodist University

A $24,000 debt load at SMU might initially seem manageable for a private institution, but when similar International/Global Studies programs in Texas suggest first-year earnings around $36,000, you're looking at two-thirds of annual salary in debt. That's actually higher debt than most comparable programs nationally ($22,000) or in Texas ($21,500), and the private-school premium isn't translating into a meaningful earnings advantage over state universities.

Based on peer programs in Texas, these earnings track with mid-tier outcomes—roughly on par with Saint Edward's and below what UT Austin ($43,000) and Texas A&M ($42,000) graduates typically earn. For a selective university where the average SAT is 1424, that's underwhelming. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 isn't disastrous, but it means graduates will likely face several years of substantial loan payments on an entry-level salary, particularly in a field where international work often requires unpaid internships or additional credentials.

The real concern here is value. You're paying private-school tuition for outcomes that comparable state programs deliver at significantly lower cost. Unless your child has compelling personal or career reasons for SMU specifically—strong alumni networks in a target industry, critical language resources, or guaranteed internship placements—the financial math favors public alternatives that produce similar or better results with less debt.