Southern Methodist University (SMU) Rankings 2026

• Percent of Graduates Employed Within 6 Months
• A large proportion of students in SMU's Data Engineering and similar programs will have found employment within 6 months of finishing their course.
• According to the career services section at SMU, 85-90% of students in STEM fields – including Data Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, etc.—went on to find employment or internships within 6 months of graduation. This statistic represents both high industry demand for technical-type graduates and well-developed career services at SMU.
• Average Salary Range After Graduation
  • The average salary for students graduating from Data Engineering and specialisations at SMU is in the $70,000 to $90,000 range.
  • Entry-level salaries typically start in the $70,000 - $80,000 range depending on the industry (tech, finance, etc.) and location.

• Accommodation:
• I chose to live off campus during my time at SMU. While there are options for on-campus housing, I preferred to be flexible and save some money by living off campus. Off-campus housing provides more control over the environment in which you wish to live (e.g., near a grocery store or café), and there are just more options available as a whole.
• Finding Accommodation:
• I looked for accommodation off campus using multiple sources:
  • 1. Online: Typically, there are a lot of options available online to find accommodation rentals, such as Zillow, Apartments.com, and Craigslist, to name a few. They were all very useful in investigating what rentals were available.
  • 2. Student Groups: I joined numerous groups on Facebook and Discord and joined groups on Telegram that had current students or alumni posting available accommodation options or recommendations. These groups were incredibly useful in being able to read first-hand reviews and find roommates.
  • 3. Real Estate Agents: In certain situations, I utilised a local real estate agent that specialised in student housing to help narrow down some options that met my budget and wants.
• Monthly Rent and Amenities:
  • My monthly rent for off-campus housing ranged from $900 to $1,200 depending on the apartment and location. I had a private bedroom in a shared apartment. Some amenities and costs that were included in the monthly rent were:
  • Utilities (i.e., electricity, water, trash) were usually included but internet and cable were separate utilities.
  • Basic apartment amenities included air conditioning, heating, a full kitchen, and laundry facilities at the apartment complex.
  • Workout facilities and parking were also included in the apartment complex, which were also very helpful.

Several companies visit this school and they also have an outstanding network for different kinds of needs. Their prestigious image is a huge plus for those who can continue developing skills in this country

Because this school is well-known for shaping students to success. Also, it's the number 59 in the national ranking, my school is located in the heart of Dallas. In fact, I will not have to make any other expenses moving to another city and it helps me to save time commuting in my everyday life. One more thing, I have met a few people who seem successful in their field.