Law at Southern Methodist University
First Professional Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Southern Methodist University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Southern Methodist University graduates earn $101k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all law professional programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Law professional's programs at peer institutions in Texas (10 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Methodist University | $101,456 | $120,122 | — | — |
| University of Houston | $88,163 | $107,620 | — | — |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | $75,674 | $83,359 | — | — |
| South Texas College of Law Houston | $73,069 | $90,663 | — | — |
| Texas Tech University | $72,448 | $95,229 | — | — |
| St. Mary's University | $61,615 | $73,788 | — | — |
| National Median | $67,512 | — | — | — |
Other Law Programs in Texas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston Houston | $9,711 | $88,163 | — |
| Texas A&M University-College Station College Station | $13,099 | $75,674 | — |
| South Texas College of Law Houston Houston | — | $73,069 | — |
| Texas Tech University Lubbock | $11,852 | $72,448 | — |
| St. Mary's University San Antonio | $36,242 | $61,615 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southern Methodist University, approximately 12% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.