Business Administration, Management and Operations at Hallmark University

Hallmark University's business program combines below-average earnings with debt levels that should raise immediate concerns. Graduates earn roughly $40,000 one year after completing their degree—about $5,000 less than the Texas median and nearly $4,000 under the typical business program's Texas graduate. More troubling, they're carrying $43,236 in debt, nearly double what most Texas business graduates owe and ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally. That means 95% of business programs in the country saddle students with less debt.

The value proposition deteriorates further when you look at earnings growth: virtually none over four years. While many business graduates see their salaries climb as they gain experience and advance into management roles, Hallmark graduates remain stuck at roughly $40,000. For context, Texas Christian University graduates in the same major earn $72,000—nearly double—and do so with comparable or lower debt loads.

The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student population, which makes the debt burden particularly concerning. At a 1.07 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates face more than a full year's salary in loans, limiting their financial flexibility during crucial early-career years. Texas offers 94 business programs to choose from, many delivering significantly better outcomes. Unless Hallmark provides specific advantages not captured in these numbers, families should seriously consider alternatives that won't leave their graduate treading water financially.