Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Houston-Clear Lake

UH-Clear Lake graduates this business program with notably lower debt than peers—$18,750 versus $24,250 statewide and $26,000 nationally—which matters more than you might think. While starting salaries land slightly below Texas and national medians at $43,122, the 26% earnings jump to $54,184 by year four suggests graduates gain traction quickly in Houston's diverse economy. The 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio is solid, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, making this manageable debt even on modest starting pay.

The ranking at the 40th percentile among Texas business programs tells an honest story: this won't match UT Austin's $66,289 starting point or TCU's $72,000. But for families prioritizing affordability—particularly relevant given that 44% of students receive Pell grants—the low debt load changes the calculus. You're not mortgaging your child's future for comparable outcomes to programs charging significantly more.

The practical takeaway: if your child can attend in-state or commute from the Houston area, the combination of reasonable debt and steady earnings growth makes this a sensible choice for business-minded students who need to minimize financial risk. Just understand they'll be building their career from a middle-of-the-pack starting position rather than launching from an elite platform.