Hospitality Administration/Management at The University of Texas at San Antonio

UTSA's hospitality program sits at an awkward crossroads: it beats the national average by a modest margin, but lands squarely in the bottom half of Texas programs at the 40th percentile. For a state-resident family paying in-state tuition, that positioning matters more than the national comparison—especially when Texas Tech and UNT graduates are earning nearly $42,000 right out of the gate, about 18% more than UTSA's typical graduate.

The debt picture is reasonable at $22,767, translating to a 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable in the hospitality sector. The nearly 20% earnings growth between years one and four suggests career progression is possible, with graduates reaching $42,000+ by year four. However, keep in mind these figures come from a very small graduating class (under 30 students), so individual outcomes could vary considerably from these medians. The high admission rate and significant Pell grant population (42%) indicate UTSA serves many first-generation and lower-income students who may have different career networks and opportunities than those at flagship programs.

For families comparing Texas options, this program offers accessibility and affordability but not competitive positioning within the state market. If your student has admission options at Texas Tech, UNT, or Texas A&M, the earnings advantage at those schools likely justifies any modest tuition differences, particularly for out-of-Houston, out-of-San Antonio residents already planning to relocate.