Business Administration at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,973/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 25.1x earnings multiple (16.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #841 of 1,169 Business Administration programs

Program Analysis

The earnings data for this program reflects the unique economic landscape of the Rio Grande Valley. McAllen's labor market, while growing, typically features a lower cost of living and, consequently, lower starting salaries for general business roles compared to major metropolitan hubs. Many graduates likely find immediate employment in local retail management, logistics coordination, or administrative positions within regional businesses and public services, fulfilling a vital need for the community. The program provides a practical foundation for these entry-level local opportunities. However, the high-level career paths listed are often national averages for more experienced professionals; reaching those salary levels typically requires significant career progression, advanced degrees, or relocating to higher-wage markets. To maximize your earning potential, actively seek internships with larger regional employers, network diligently within local industry, and consider specializing or pursuing further education after gaining initial experience.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business Administration graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $494K $494K $463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 25.1x 25.1x 23.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 16.5x 16.5x 15.4x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$19,680
Out-of-state: $30,000 (16.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$5,164
74% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,869
43% growth from Year 1

About South Texas College

enrolling 16,131 students in McAllen, TX. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $5,164 — 74% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at South Texas College →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
View all 42 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Texas College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does South Texas College's Business Administration program score?
A score of 55/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but South Texas College trails the majority of Business Administration programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Business Administration to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Business Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Business Administration earnings lower at South Texas College?
Lower starting pay at South Texas College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Business Administration at South Texas College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $19,680, but the average net cost is $5,164 — a 74% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →