Business Administration, Management and Operations at South University-Austin

South University-Austin's business program burdens graduates with more than double the typical debt load for this degree—$55,162 versus a Texas median of $24,250. That's the 95th percentile for debt nationally, meaning only 5% of similar programs leave students owing more. With first-year earnings of $43,773, graduates face a debt-to-income ratio of 1.26, making initial loan payments a significant financial strain. Among Texas business programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile for earnings despite carrying debt levels that put it at the very top.

The earnings trajectory offers modest relief: graduates see an 11% increase to $48,439 by year four. However, they're still earning less than peers from UT Austin ($66,289), TCU ($71,984), or even the state median. The program serves a majority first-generation population (54% receive Pell grants), but the debt burden may particularly harm the students it aims to help, as lower-income graduates have less family financial cushion to manage heavy loan payments.

For parents, the math is straightforward: this program costs roughly twice what comparable Texas business degrees charge while delivering below-average outcomes. Unless your child has substantial scholarship support that dramatically reduces the debt load, in-state public universities offer better value propositions for business majors, combining lower tuition with stronger earnings potential.