Business/Commerce at The University of Texas at Tyler

UT Tyler's business program walks a careful line between cost and outcomes—graduates leave with exceptionally low debt ($18,125 versus a state median of $25,156), but their starting salaries of $42,443 trail both the Texas median by $3,500 and the national median by $5,000. Within Texas, this program lands right at the 40th percentile, meaning it underperforms most in-state competitors despite UT Tyler's strong regional reputation. The gap is stark when you look at flagship programs: UT Austin business grads earn $94,000, more than double what UT Tyler graduates make.

That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 is quite manageable—graduates can expect to earn more than twice their debt in their first year. For students who plan to work in the Tyler area or East Texas where living costs are lower, the modest debt load may matter more than the earnings gap. The program serves a heavily regional market with 38% of students receiving Pell grants, suggesting it's fulfilling an access mission.

The bottom line: This is a financially safe choice that won't burden students with crushing debt, but ambitious students with stronger academic credentials should seriously consider applying to higher-performing Texas business programs where the earning potential could be 30-50% higher.