Business Administration, Management and Operations at Midwestern State University

Midwestern State University's Business Administration program sits squarely in the middle of Texas options—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide—but that positioning comes with a significant catch. Starting earnings of $39,272 lag behind both the state median ($44,084) and national average ($45,703) by roughly $5,000-6,000 annually. While graduates do see solid 30% earnings growth by year four, they're essentially playing catch-up to reach what peers at other programs earn right out of the gate.

The debt picture offers a small silver lining: at $27,373, borrowing is only slightly above state norms and quite manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70. For a regional public university serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (40%), this suggests responsible lending practices. However, families should recognize that graduates are entering business careers well below market rate, which matters in competitive fields where early earnings can compound into long-term career trajectories.

This program works best for students prioritizing affordability and local connections in North Texas over immediate earning potential. If your child has offers from UT Austin, TCU, or even other mid-tier state schools, the $15,000-25,000 earnings gap in year one represents real money that could accelerate debt payoff or savings. But for students who need the accessibility of an 87% admission rate and reasonable costs, it provides a functional path into business—just not an accelerated one.