Here is an overview of the program, including its ranking, popularity, student demographics, and graduate outcomes. Also, learn how SMU stacks up against peers offering music.
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SMU is in the top 10% of the country for music. More specifically it was ranked #50 out of 423 schools by College Factual. It is also ranked #4 in Texas.
| Ranking Type | Rank |
|---|---|
| Best Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Texas | 4 |
| Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Texas | 4 |
| Best Music Schools in Texas | 4 |
| College Major Top Ranked | 4 |
| College Major Top Ranked | 4 |
| Best Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region | 5 |
| Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region | 5 |
| Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region | 5 |
| College Major Top Ranked | 5 |
| College Major Top Ranked | 5 |
| Best Value Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Texas | 34 |
| Best Value Music Master’s Degree Schools in Texas | 34 |
For the most recent IPEDS reporting year, Southern Methodist University conferred 30 bachelor’s degrees in music.
Music majors who earn their bachelor’s degree from SMU report a median salary of $34,712 a year. This is lower than $82,838, the median for all majors at SMU.
While getting their bachelor’s degree at SMU, music graduates take on a median debt of $18,417 in student loans. This is below $20,712, the typical median for all majors at SMU.
Average full-time tuition and fees are listed in the table below.
| In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $53,464 | $59,500 |
| Fees | $7,540 | $7,540 |
Read more about SMU tuition and fees.
In the most recent graduating class, 60% of music bachelor’s degrees went to men and 40% went to women.
The majority of music bachelor’s degree graduates at SMU are White. Roughly 57% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor’s in music.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 5 |
| Black or African American | 0 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 4 |
| White | 17 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 1 |
| Other Races | 3 |
In the most recent graduating class, 55% of music master’s degrees went to men and 45% went to women.
The largest share of music master’s degree graduates at SMU were White. About 40% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Southern Methodist University with a master’s in music.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 1 |
| Black or African American | 4 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3 |
| White | 8 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 3 |
| Other Races | 1 |
Take a look at the following statistics related to the make-up of the music majors at Southern Methodist University.
The music program at SMU breaks down into the following more specific areas of study:
| Concentration | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music Performance, General | 32 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 6 |
| Voice and Opera | 4 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 3 |
| Conducting | 1 |
SMU granted 32 degrees in music performance, general in the most recent reporting year — 25% to women and 75% to men. The most common background among these graduates was White (47%).
SMU conferred 6 degrees in keyboard instruments in the most recent reporting year — 83% to women and 17% to men. Most of these graduates identified as White (33%).
SMU conferred 4 degrees in voice and opera recently — 75% to women and 25% to men. The most common background among these graduates was Black or African American (50%).
SMU granted 3 degrees in music theory and composition in the most recent reporting year — 33% to women and 67% to men. The most common background among these graduates was Hispanic or Latino (67%).
SMU granted 1 degree in conducting in the latest year of data — 100% to women and 0% to men. The largest share of these graduates were White (100%).