Business Administration, Management and Operations at Texas Southmost College

Business graduates from this Brownsville program face an unusual earnings trajectory that deserves attention. While comparable Texas programs suggest first-year earnings around $44,000—putting this right at the state median—the actual reported figure four years out sits lower at $40,772. That backward slide is uncommon for business degrees and raises questions about career progression or the local job market along the Texas-Mexico border.

The estimated debt load of roughly $21,000 translates to a manageable 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. For context, typical business programs in Texas carry about $24,000 in debt, so graduates here appear to be borrowing somewhat less. That's a meaningful advantage given the earnings picture. The challenge isn't crushing debt—it's whether the degree leads to the kind of career growth that usually justifies a four-year investment.

The real uncertainty here stems from limited graduate data, which prevents direct comparison to the state's powerhouse programs like UT Austin ($66,000) or Baylor ($63,000). For families in South Texas seeking an affordable business degree, the modest debt is appealing. But the stagnant mid-career earnings suggest you'll need a clear plan for how this degree connects to opportunities beyond Brownsville's more limited job market. If staying local is the goal, understand that "business administration" means different things in different economies.