Business Administration, Management and Operations at The University of Texas at Dallas

A debt load around $21,000 against first-year earnings of roughly $44,000 creates a manageable starting point—based on what similar business programs across Texas produce, graduates typically face monthly loan payments of about $240, or roughly 6% of their gross income. That's a comfortable ratio by any standard, though the earnings figure itself sits right at the state median for business bachelor's degrees, meaning UTD's program appears positioned squarely in the middle of Texas's competitive landscape.

The gap between UTD's estimated outcomes and the state's top performers is substantial. Programs at UT Austin and Texas Christian produce first-year earnings 50-60% higher, which over a career compounds into significant lifetime earning differences. However, UTD's admission profile (65% acceptance rate, strong 1300 average SAT) suggests it serves a different market than those elite institutions, and the moderate debt load means students aren't overleveraging to attend. The 30% Pell grant population indicates meaningful economic diversity.

For families comparing options, the practical question is whether UTD's business program justifies its cost relative to cheaper state alternatives or whether stretching for a more competitive program would pay off. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy, but the earnings trajectory matters most—and without actual graduate outcomes from UTD specifically, you're making an investment based on what peer programs typically deliver rather than this school's proven track record.