Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lone Star College System

Lone Star College System's Business Administration associate's degree sits firmly in Texas's top tier, outperforming 80% of comparable programs in the state and beating the state median by $8,000. First-year graduates earn $41,126—nearly $8,000 above the national median for this program—placing this in the 81st percentile nationally. The debt load of $17,170 produces a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn roughly $2.40 for every dollar borrowed.

The concerning element is the earnings dip to $38,885 by year four, a 5% decline that contradicts typical career progression. However, two factors matter here: first, even after four years, these graduates still earn more than most similar programs produce at their peak. Second, the sample size is quite small (under 30 graduates), which means one or two career paths could skew the average. This might reflect graduates moving into entrepreneurship or further education rather than a structural weakness in the program itself.

For Texas families seeking an affordable entry into business careers, this program delivers strong early returns at a reasonable cost. It's priced near the state median for debt but produces earnings that rival programs costing significantly more. Just recognize that the trajectory data comes from a limited sample, so it may not represent every graduate's experience.