Business/Commerce at Stephen F Austin State University

Stephen F Austin State University's business program sits squarely in the middle of Texas options, which sounds fine until you consider the price of that middle ground. At $40,868 in first-year earnings, graduates start about $5,000 below the Texas median and $7,000 below the national average for business degrees. While the program ranks at the 40th percentile statewide—literally middle-of-the-pack—you're paying similar debt ($25,000) to what students at higher-earning programs carry. The 13% earnings growth to $46,004 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, but graduates still lag behind peers from competing Texas schools.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 is manageable, and the relatively affordable debt load means your child won't face crushing payments. But compare this to what's possible: UT Austin business grads earn more than double at $94,000, and even regional competitors like University of Houston-Clear Lake ($56,494) offer significantly better returns. With an 88% admission rate, Stephen F Austin provides accessible business education, which has value—just understand you're trading earning potential for admission certainty.

If your child is set on this school for location or cost reasons, the numbers work. But if maximizing career earnings matters and they can gain admission elsewhere, several Texas programs deliver substantially better returns for similar or even lower debt.