Business/Managerial Economics at Texas State University

Texas State's Business/Managerial Economics program starts graduates below the middle of the pack, with first-year earnings of $49,831 landing at the 40th percentile both nationally and among Texas schools. That's about $4,000 less than the typical Texas grad in this field and roughly $3,400 below national norms. However, the trajectory here matters more than the starting point: earnings jump to $65,481 by year four—a robust 31% increase that puts graduates solidly above what peers at UT Arlington or UNT achieve after the same time period.

The debt picture makes this growth story more compelling. At $23,125, graduates carry slightly more than the national median but notably more than the Texas median of $19,044. Still, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 is manageable, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. Combined with Texas State's 89% admission rate and accessibility to Pell-eligible students, this represents a realistic path into economics careers for students who might not access more selective programs.

For families focused on immediate post-graduation earnings, schools like Baylor or UNT deliver stronger starting positions. But if your student is willing to build momentum over those critical early career years, Texas State offers solid mid-term outcomes at a reasonable debt load—particularly for students looking at this as a stepping stone rather than a destination degree.