Business/Commerce at Texarkana College

Texarkana College's business associate degree produces graduates earning $27,674 in their first year—roughly $5,300 below the Texas median and nearly $9,000 below the national average. To put this in perspective, graduates from Austin Community College District earn 56% more in their first year, despite offering the same credential. Even within Texas's community colleges, this program sits at just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs deliver better financial outcomes.

The $12,514 in typical debt isn't catastrophic, but paired with below-average earnings, it creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45—manageable but not ideal for an entry-level salary. Graduates are dedicating nearly half their first-year income to debt acquired for credentials that aren't opening doors to higher-paying opportunities. For context, business associate degree holders at similar Texas community colleges are starting at substantially higher salaries with comparable or lower debt loads.

The core issue here is earning power. If your child is set on Texarkana College for location or cost reasons, understand they'll likely need additional education or training to reach competitive wages. Otherwise, nearby alternatives like Austin Community College or even Dallas College offer significantly stronger financial returns for the same degree type and similar debt levels.