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Fine and Studio Arts at Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,154/yr (50% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (118,400 openings/yr)
ROI 2.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #122 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Fine and Studio Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $580K $572K $527K
Earnings Multiple 2.2x 2.2x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 27

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
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,394
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,154 put Southern Methodist University's Fine and Studio Arts program 50% above the national median of $25,391 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.2x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Fine and Studio Arts's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

At #122 of 385 Fine and Studio Arts programs, Southern Methodist University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $62,394 show a 64% jump from the $38,154 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Southern Methodist University

A 61% admission rate makes Southern Methodist University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, 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

Art directors $111,040/yr
Special effects artists and animators $99,800/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 385 schools offering Fine and Studio Arts →

Fine and Studio Arts at Other Schools

Columbia University in the City of New York ($51,435) University of Southern California ($50,161) Ramapo College of New Jersey ($44,529) University of Nebraska at Kearney ($40,501) Barnard College ($39,947) Empire State University ($39,946) University of Pennsylvania ($38,820) Minnesota State University-Mankato ($38,717)

Other Majors at Southern Methodist University

Computer Science ($93,679) Finance and Financial Management Services ($83,159) Mechanical Engineering ($79,280) Statistics ($76,759) Mathematics ($74,516) Operations Research ($72,658) Economics ($71,630) Accounting and Related Services ($68,643)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Fine and Studio Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Fine and Studio Arts at Southern Methodist University?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Fine and Studio Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →