International Business at LeTourneau University

LeTourneau's International Business degree carries an estimated $25,000 in debt—higher than what most Texas schools in this field report for their graduates ($17,866 median). This matters because based on comparable programs across Texas, first-year earnings typically land around $41,911. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 is workable but not exceptional, especially when similar programs at public universities like UT Dallas or UT Arlington appear to produce higher earnings with potentially lower debt loads.

The broader context compounds the concern. Nationally, International Business bachelor's graduates typically earn $49,890 in their first year—nearly $8,000 more than what Texas programs suggest. LeTourneau's 41% admission rate and 1262 average SAT indicate a moderately selective school, but that selectivity isn't translating into outcomes that outpace the state average. Meanwhile, only 13% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the student body skews toward families who may have resources to absorb higher debt, but that doesn't make it a wise investment.

For parents, the practical question is whether LeTourneau's specific advantages—perhaps its Christian mission or smaller campus environment—justify paying more for outcomes that appear in line with or below what larger Texas public universities deliver. The estimated figures here mean we're working with educated guesses rather than this school's actual track record, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already questionable financial picture.