Hospitality Administration/Management at Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech's hospitality management program produces graduates earning just $27,969 their first year out—roughly $6,700 below the national median for this degree. While that places it in the bottom 5% nationally, this is the only hospitality management bachelor's program in Arkansas, so students seeking this credential in-state don't have other public options for comparison. The $24,000 in typical debt is close to the national median, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.86, though the low absolute earnings still mean tight budgets during those early repayment years.

The hospitality industry is known for starting salaries that rise with experience, but sub-$28,000 wages require careful financial planning. Arkansas's lower cost of living helps offset the modest earnings somewhat, but parents should understand this program doesn't provide the earnings trajectory that justifies accumulating significant additional private debt beyond the typical $24,000 federal borrowing.

One critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, making it statistically unreliable. A few outliers could skew the numbers considerably. If your student is committed to hospitality management and wants to stay in Arkansas, this may be the only public four-year path available—but they should minimize borrowing, consider starting at a community college to reduce costs, or look at out-of-state programs with stronger placement records if finances allow.