International Business at Southwestern Adventist University

Based on comparable programs in Texas, international business graduates typically earn around $42,000 in their first year—roughly $8,000 below the national median for this degree. That gap matters when you're carrying $25,000 in estimated debt, a figure derived from similar private Christian colleges nationwide. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 falls within manageable territory, it assumes your child lands near that $42,000 mark rather than significantly below it.

The challenge is uncertainty. Texas programs in this field show considerable variation, with top performers like Saint Edward's reaching nearly $52,000 while others cluster around the state median. Without actual graduate outcomes from Southwestern Adventist itself, you're making a bet that this program performs similarly to the state average rather than underperforming it. The estimated $25,000 debt load is higher than Texas's typical $17,866 for international business degrees, reflecting the premium often charged by smaller private institutions.

If your child is drawn to Southwestern's faith-based environment and small community, understand you're likely paying extra for those attributes rather than superior career outcomes. The financials suggest this could work if they're disciplined about minimizing additional borrowing and securing internships that lead to strong job placement. But with half a dozen Texas programs showing stronger earnings potential, compare carefully before committing.