Business Administration, Management and Operations at Texas State Technical College

Texas State Technical College's business associate's degree shows a troubling pattern: graduates earn $30,714 in their first year but see their income fall to $26,850 by year four—a 13% decline that runs counter to typical career progression. While the $14,460 in debt is slightly below Texas's median for this program, the backwards earnings trajectory creates real financial strain. These earnings land in just the 40th percentile among Texas business programs, meaning graduates here are making less than most of their peers across the state.

The gap with top-performing Texas programs is stark. Community colleges like Tarrant County and Dallas College produce business graduates earning $42,000-$44,000—roughly 60% more than TSTC's outcomes. Even the state median of $32,860 sits notably higher. The debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio of 0.47 looks manageable initially, but that calculation becomes less favorable as earnings decline rather than grow.

For parents considering this program, the fundamental issue is clear: graduates aren't building momentum in their careers post-graduation. The 45% Pell grant rate indicates this serves many students with limited financial cushion, making the earnings decline particularly concerning. Unless your child has specific technical interests that align with TSTC's strengths (which traditionally lean toward technical trades rather than general business), other Texas community colleges offer demonstrably better outcomes in this field at similar or lower cost.