Business/Managerial Economics at Our Lady of the Lake University

A debt load of $24,000 for a business economics degree makes the math work, but parents should understand they're looking at educated guesses here. The earnings figure of roughly $54,000 comes from other Texas business economics programs, not from tracking actual Our Lady of the Lake graduates—privacy rules prevent publishing when graduate samples are small. That estimated first-year income matches the state median exactly and sits close to the national benchmark of $53,219, suggesting reasonable alignment with what similar programs deliver.

The debt estimate, drawn from comparable private institutions nationally, runs about $5,000 higher than what Texas programs typically report. That puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.44—manageable territory where graduates would dedicate less than half their first-year salary to total debt. For context, the university serves a majority Pell-eligible population (57%), and this debt level keeps graduates from the crushing burdens that derail early careers.

The practical reality: you're choosing this program without the visibility that larger programs provide. The comparable programs suggest solid middle-market outcomes—not the $60,575 that Baylor graduates earn, but also well above UTSA's $44,424. If your student thrives in smaller environments and the financial aid package keeps borrowing near or below this $24,000 estimate, the numbers suggest a workable investment. Just recognize you're making that call with less certainty than you'd have at schools with published track records.