Business Administration, Management and Operations at Our Lady of the Lake University

Our Lady of the Lake University's business administration program falls below both state and national earnings benchmarks, but with manageable debt levels that partially offset the weaker salary outcomes. Graduates earn roughly $42,000 in their first year—about $2,000 below the Texas median and $3,500 below the national average. Among Texas business programs, this places in just the 40th percentile, while elite in-state options like UT Austin and Texas Christian produce graduates earning 50-70% more.

The silver lining is debt management: at $27,500, student loans are only slightly above state norms and create a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65—tight but workable for most graduates. The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (57%), suggesting it provides access for students who might otherwise skip college entirely. Earnings do grow modestly to $44,000 by year four, though this hardly represents transformative income mobility.

The critical caveat: these figures come from a very small sample size, so actual outcomes could vary significantly from what's reported here. For families banking on solid returns from a business degree, stronger alternatives exist across Texas. But for students prioritizing affordability and access over maximum earnings potential—particularly those needing to stay in San Antonio—this represents a viable path to a four-year credential without crushing debt.