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Best Value Business Administration Colleges in Texas

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Texas business programs reveal a striking $88,417 earnings gap between Rice University graduates earning $89,530 and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates at $28,236. This range reflects the state's varied business market, from Houston's energy sector headquarters to border region manufacturing operations. Texas A&M University-Central Texas delivers strong value at just $1,113 net cost while maintaining a 95.71% acceptance rate. The state's business programs prepare students for roles across major employers like HCA Healthcare and Baylor Scott & White, which operate within Texas's massive healthcare economy. Community colleges like Brazosport in Lake Jackson offer surprisingly strong outcomes, with graduates earning $46,478 despite the school's $3,022 net cost. Public institutions dominate the value market, with 13 of the top 15 schools offering in-state tuition below $12,000. Texas business graduates enter a job market supported by the world's largest medical complex and the second-largest healthcare workforce nationally.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $33,531
Net Price Range
$42,172
Avg. Program Earnings
48.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $35,416 $6,627 95.7%
2 $1,291 $31,926 $4,920 27.6%
3 $3,022 $46,478 $2,388 38.7%
4 $3,061 $29,685 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
5 $12,640 $89,530 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
6 $5,458 $32,284 $3,148 26.8%
7 $9,144 $47,260 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
8 $8,624 $39,009 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
9 $6,500 $28,236 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
10 $11,056 $44,356 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
11 $10,948 $42,433 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
12 $10,204 $37,613 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
13 $13,853 $50,804 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
14 $14,352 $50,693 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
15 $11,268 $39,585 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
16 $11,429 $39,741 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
17 $12,714 $44,170 $14,520 99.2%
18 $11,234 $38,971 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
19 $14,623 $50,082 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
20 $11,130 $37,748 68.3% 52.9%
21 $13,931 $42,682 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
22 $19,678 $60,025 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
23 $10,726 $31,874 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
24 $11,882 $33,993 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
25 $15,152 $41,565 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
26 $15,235 $41,631 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
27 $14,041 $38,289 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
28 $10,095 $26,933 $12,500 20.0%
29 $20,924 $55,747 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
30 $12,637 $32,569 $7,930 31.2% 91.5%
31 $16,438 $42,018 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
32 $20,071 $49,370 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
33 $12,915 $31,738 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
34 $15,137 $35,213 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
35 $16,025 $36,848 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
36 $18,264 $41,703 $14,842 45.5%
37 $20,498 $44,021 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
38 $20,540 $44,021 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
39 $33,531 $71,015 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
40 $22,240 $47,025 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
41 $25,314 $52,607 $35,500 61.1% 48.8%
42 $17,760 $36,848 $31,728 42.4%
43 $10,409 $21,234 $11,720 15.1%
44 $19,710 $39,369 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
45 $21,352 $42,435 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
46 $23,636 $46,924 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
47 $20,261 $39,853 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
48 $19,734 $38,289 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
49 $19,988 $38,289 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
50 $25,470 $48,432 $50,880 68.0% 58.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A&M University-Central Texas such an outstanding value for business students?

The university charges just $1,113 in net costs while accepting 95.71% of applicants, making business education accessible to nearly all students. Graduates earn $35,416 annually with only $15,875 in student debt. The Killeen location provides access to both Austin's tech economy and military contracting opportunities at nearby Fort Hood.

How do community college business programs compare to university options in Texas?

Brazosport College stands out with graduates earning $46,478 despite net costs of only $3,022, outperforming several universities. South Texas College offers the second-lowest net cost at $1,291, though graduation rates remain at 27.60%. These programs provide strong returns on investment for students seeking immediate workforce entry.

Is Rice University worth the higher cost for business students?

Rice graduates earn $89,530 annually, representing a $39,727 premium over the next-highest earning school, University of Houston. The 95.70% graduation rate and 8.68% acceptance rate reflect academic rigor. At $12,640 net cost, Rice provides strong value relative to other elite private institutions nationwide.

Does location within Texas significantly impact business graduate earnings?

Houston-area schools generally produce higher-earning graduates, with Rice at $89,530, University of Houston at $50,804, and UH-Clear Lake at $44,356. Border region schools like UT Rio Grande Valley ($28,236) and Texas A&M International ($29,685) show lower earnings. The Texas Medical Center and energy sector concentration drive Houston's salary advantages.

Where can business students find the best combination of low debt and strong earnings?

Texas A&M University-Central Texas offers the optimal balance with $15,875 debt and $35,416 earnings. University of Houston-Clear Lake provides $44,356 earnings with the same $15,875 debt level. University of Houston-Victoria keeps debt at $15,234 while delivering $39,009 in graduate earnings, representing strong debt-to-income ratios.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.