Business Administration, Management and Operations at Saint Edward's University

Saint Edward's delivers solid, steady growth for business students willing to invest in a private education. Starting at $46,569, graduates see their earnings climb to $58,332 by year four—a 25% gain that outpaces what most business programs produce. In Texas, this program lands in the 60th percentile, meaning it beats three out of five business programs in the state despite being well below the elite tier occupied by UT Austin or SMU.

The $26,000 debt load is exactly average for business programs nationally, but here's the catch: you're paying private school tuition for middle-of-the-pack outcomes. The first-year salary barely covers the debt (0.56 ratio is manageable but tight), and while the earnings trajectory looks promising, you're starting from a lower base than you'd get at Texas's flagship public universities. The 84% admission rate suggests Saint Edward's is accessible, but that accessibility comes with a price tag that might be harder to justify than a state school alternative.

For families choosing between Saint Edward's and a UT system school, the numbers favor public education unless the smaller campus environment is worth the premium. If accepted to UT Austin, the earnings difference alone—nearly $20,000 more per year—would pay for the entire degree within two years.