Business Administration, Management and Operations at Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Texas A&M-Texarkana's business program serves a predominantly working-class student body (51% receive Pell grants) but delivers below-average returns even when compared to other Texas schools. First-year earnings of $36,948 place graduates in the bottom quarter statewide—nearly $7,000 below the Texas median of $44,084. While the 21% earnings growth to year four shows some upward trajectory, that still leaves graduates earning less than what typical Texas business majors make right out of school.

The debt load of $22,250 is somewhat lower than both state and national averages, which helps the immediate financial picture. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 means graduates are still borrowing more than half their first-year salary for outcomes that consistently trail peers across Texas. The gap is particularly stark when you consider that even mid-tier Texas programs substantially outperform this one—the state's top five business schools produce graduates earning $60,000-$72,000.

For families considering this program, the question is whether the regional accessibility justifies the below-market outcomes. If your child has options at larger Texas public universities or can access more competitive programs, those alternatives would likely deliver stronger returns on similar debt levels. This works best as a local option for students who need to stay in the Texarkana area, but it's not competing effectively on pure economic outcomes.