Business/Commerce at The University of Texas at Dallas

UT Dallas business graduates start at $51,000 and climb to $62,000 by year four—solid middle-of-the-pack performance that beats both the national and Texas medians by roughly $5,000-6,000. Among 41 business programs in Texas, this lands squarely at the 60th percentile, meaning it outperforms most regional competitors except flagship UT Austin and private schools like Baylor. With debt at just $22,000, significantly below both state and national averages, the 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically clear their student loans in under six months of gross income.

The trajectory here is notably steady—21% earnings growth over four years suggests business fundamentals that translate into predictable career advancement. You're not getting the explosive $94,000 salaries that UT Austin commands, but you're also not gambling on a program that barely exceeds Texas's $46,000 median. For families concerned about cost-benefit, the below-average debt combined with above-average earnings creates breathing room most business programs don't offer.

This is a practical choice for students who want a respected business degree without flagship tuition or private school debt. UT Dallas delivers competent preparation that opens doors in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, where its alumni network matters more than national rankings. If your student can gain admission to UT Austin, that's a different conversation—but for most Texas families, this represents a fundamentally sound investment with manageable downside.