Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor graduates earn $51,203 their first year out—about $7,000 more than the Texas median for business programs and $5,500 above the national average. That puts this program in the 60th percentile statewide and 70th nationally, a solid position given the school's 95% acceptance rate and modest SAT scores. While it can't match the earnings at Texas Christian ($72,000) or UT Austin ($66,000), it delivers notably better outcomes than most business programs across the state.

The debt picture strengthens the case: at $27,000, graduates owe just barely above the national median but carry a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means the typical graduate could theoretically pay off their full loan balance in about six months of gross earnings—well within the "affordable" range that financial aid experts recommend. The relatively low debt burden (25th percentile nationally) combined with above-average earnings creates breathing room for young graduates.

For families seeking practical business preparation without the sticker price of elite Texas schools, this program represents a sensible middle path. The earnings advantage over typical Texas business grads—roughly $7,000 annually—should compound meaningfully over a career, while the modest debt load won't anchor graduates in their twenties.