Journalism at Southern Methodist University

SMU's journalism program costs significantly less in debt than you'd expect for a private university, while delivering earnings that surpass most Texas schools. With $19,448 in median debt—below both state and national averages—and first-year earnings of $40,502, graduates face a manageable debt burden that represents less than half a year's salary. By year four, earnings climb to $51,501, showing stronger growth than typical journalism programs where wages often stagnate.

The earnings picture looks particularly solid when you consider SMU journalism grads out-earn those from UT Austin, the state's flagship program, by about $1,000 in their first year. While SMU ranks at the 60th percentile statewide—middle of the pack—that actually places it in the 86th percentile nationally, suggesting Texas journalism programs generally perform well. The combination of controlled debt and above-average earnings creates a math problem that works in students' favor.

The main caveat: this data comes from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more widely than these numbers suggest. Still, the fundamentals are sound—reasonable debt, competitive starting salaries for journalism, and meaningful earnings growth over four years. For families weighing journalism programs in Texas, SMU's financial profile compares favorably to both public and private alternatives.