Business Administration, Management and Operations at Texas Health and Science University

For a business degree that costs nearly $50,000 in debt, first-year earnings around $44,000—typical for Texas business programs—create an immediate financial squeeze. Based on similar private institutions in Texas, graduates here would start with debt exceeding their entire first year's salary, a burden that substantially limits early career flexibility. While business administration degrees can open doors over time, that 1.10 debt-to-earnings ratio means roughly 13% of gross income going to student loans for a decade under standard repayment—before taxes, rent, or anything else.

The earnings estimate aligns with what most Texas business graduates make initially, but the debt estimate is nearly double the state median of $24,250. Top Texas business programs like UT Austin and TCU produce dramatically higher starting salaries ($66,000-$72,000), and even they typically saddle students with less debt. The gap suggests you're paying premium tuition without getting premium outcomes, at least based on what comparable small private programs deliver.

This becomes a viable investment only if your child can substantially reduce borrowing through scholarships, family support, or part-time work. At full sticker price with typical borrowing, the math doesn't favor this path when Texas offers numerous public and private alternatives with better debt-to-earnings profiles. Request detailed financial aid projections before committing, and compare net costs against schools with actual reported outcomes rather than estimates.