Business Administration, Management and Operations at Austin College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 suggests manageable loan payments for a business degree, but the figures deserve scrutiny. Similar programs in Texas produce first-year earnings around $44,000—right at the state median but well below what graduates from Texas Christian ($72,000) or UT Austin ($66,000) command. Austin College's selectivity (47% admission rate, 1272 SAT average) positions it as a solid liberal arts institution, yet peer business programs in Texas show a wide earnings spectrum that this estimated data can't definitively place them within.

The $26,000 estimated debt load is typical for private colleges in Texas and aligns with national norms for business majors. With monthly loan payments around $290 on a standard plan, this represents roughly 8% of gross monthly income based on projected earnings. That's workable, though not generous—especially if your child plans to live independently in Texas's increasingly expensive cities. The 30% Pell Grant population suggests Austin College serves a mix of economic backgrounds, but whether their career services and alumni network can bridge the gap to higher-earning outcomes remains an open question without actual graduate data.

Without school-specific outcomes, you're making a bet on Austin College's liberal arts approach to business education translating into competitive salaries. If your child values small-school attention and you're comfortable with mid-market earnings potential, the debt load won't sink them. But if maximizing early career income matters, Texas offers business programs with proven track records of significantly higher returns.