Business/Commerce at South Texas College

South Texas College's business associate's degree presents a challenging tradeoff: rock-bottom debt ($5,421, among the lowest 5% nationally) but earnings that lag significantly behind peers. First-year graduates earn just $24,738—putting this program in the bottom 5% nationally and bottom quarter statewide. That's roughly $8,000 less than the Texas median and $12,000 below the national average for business associate's degrees. For context, graduates from Austin Community College or Dallas College in similar programs earn over $40,000 their first year out.

The silver lining is solid earnings growth—graduates see a 34% increase to $33,029 by year four—and the debt burden is remarkably light. The 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than three months of first-year salary, making this one of the most affordable options you'll find. With 36% of students receiving Pell grants, the college clearly serves an economically diverse population where minimizing debt matters.

The question for your family: is avoiding debt worth accepting substantially lower earning potential? McAllen's lower cost of living helps offset the wage gap somewhat, but these graduates still trail state and national peers by a wide margin even four years out. If staying local and avoiding debt are top priorities, this program delivers on those fronts. If maximizing earning potential matters more, nearby community colleges like Austin or Dallas demonstrate that you don't have to sacrifice earnings for affordability.