Rankings / By State
Best Business Colleges in Texas
- 50
- Schools
- $56,682
- Avg. Earnings
- 53%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,116
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,001
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $38,678 at the low end to $89,718 at the top. That 2.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Western Texas College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $42,508 against $3,562 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Western Texas College, at $3,562 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Rice University graduates 95% of its students, well above the 53% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Rice University: graduates owe only 0.12× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Trinity University ($71,668 earnings), not the highest earner, Rice University ($89,718). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Western Texas College ($3,562/yr) and Baylor University ($41,104/yr) produce graduates earning $42,508 and $65,793 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $37,542 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Western Texas College outperforms Rice University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Western Texas College and Rice University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $56K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Trinity University #1 overall | $71,668 ▲ +26% vs avg | $23,464 | 83% | 86 |
| 2 Texas Christian University #2 overall | $68,424 ▲ +21% vs avg | $36,660 | 86% | 85 |
| 3 Rice University #3 overall | $89,718 ▲ +58% vs avg | $13,370 | 95% | 85 |
| $56,073 ▼ -1% vs avg | $12,723 | 42% | 84 | |
| $68,227 ▲ +20% vs avg | $18,267 | 75% | 82 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Business Colleges in Texas
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $56,682 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 53% and an average net price of $18,116.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Western Texas College — Net Price: $3,562 | Graduation Rate: 56%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Rice University — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Rice University — Median alumni earnings: $89,718
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Management Education Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?
$55,910
Median earnings (10yr)
51%
Median graduation rate
$17,536
Median net price
2.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Management education makes a blunt promise: pay now, earn more later. Top-tier programs keep that promise through network effects and placement outcomes. Many others raise earnings barely enough to cover their cost. The spread in outcomes across programs is wider here than in almost any other discipline.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $55,910 ten years after enrollment, or about $7,910 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 51%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $17,536 a year with about $20,724 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 35% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.1%.
In management education, network effects amplify everything. Graduates earn a median of $55,910 ten years after enrollment, and Trinity University leads the field. The gap between the top and the middle is wide enough that school selection may be the most consequential financial decision in this category.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Trinity University lands at #1 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $71,668 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,464 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Texas Christian University lands at #2 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $68,424 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,660 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Rice University lands at #3 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $89,718 a decade after enrolling, 58% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
The University of Texas Permian Basin lands at #4 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $56,073 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,723 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
The University of Texas at Dallas lands at #5 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $68,227 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,267 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Southern Methodist University lands at #6 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $78,354 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,892 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Dallas Baptist University lands at #7 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $56,807 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,516 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of North Texas lands at #8 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,010 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,649 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Texas Tech University lands at #9 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $62,454 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,070 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
The University of Texas at Austin lands at #10 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $75,121 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,857 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Dallas lands at #11 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $58,285 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,610 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
The University of Texas at Tyler lands at #12 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (69/100). Graduates earn a median $57,053 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,323 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Baylor University lands at #13 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $65,793 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,104 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Sam Houston State University lands at #14 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,211 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,404 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
San Antonio, TX · 87% accepted · $10,836 net
Why it ranks #15
The University of Texas at San Antonio lands at #15 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,131 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,836 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
The University of Texas at Arlington lands at #16 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,199 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,951 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Texas State University lands at #17 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,906 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,805 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Texas Wesleyan University lands at #18 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,053 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,066 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Stephen F Austin State University lands at #19 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $49,634 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,260 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Angelo State University lands at #20 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,116 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,091 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Southwestern University lands at #21 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $56,878 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,224 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Lamar University lands at #22 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Concordia University Texas lands at #23 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $60,883 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,131 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
University of Houston lands at #24 with a 77/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $62,377 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,276 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Wayland Baptist University lands at #25 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $51,838 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,590 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Tarleton State University lands at #26 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,040 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,783 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
College Station, TX · 57% accepted · $21,315 net
Why it ranks #27
Texas A&M University-College Station lands at #27 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $72,097 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,315 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Texas Woman's University lands at #28 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (68/100). Graduates earn a median $56,544 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,963 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Austin College lands at #29 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $61,296 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,107 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Hardin-Simmons University lands at #30 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,771 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,555 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
East Texas A&M University lands at #31 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,841 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
McMurry University lands at #32 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,779 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,581 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Odessa College lands at #33 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,026 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,368 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
University of the Incarnate Word lands at #34 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,733 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,775 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
University of Houston-Downtown lands at #35 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,551 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,542 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Western Texas College lands at #36 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $42,508 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,562 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
East Texas Baptist University lands at #37 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,788 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,911 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Sul Ross State University lands at #38 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $41,871 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,286 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Southwestern Adventist University lands at #39 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $52,946 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,778 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Texas A&M University-Victoria lands at #40 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $54,467 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,109 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Abilene Christian University lands at #41 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $55,736 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,182 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
The University of Texas at El Paso lands at #42 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,923 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,403 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Schreiner University lands at #43 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,228 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,507 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Lubbock Christian University lands at #44 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $53,787 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,456 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Temple College lands at #45 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,678 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,682 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
University of Houston-Clear Lake lands at #46 with a 73/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $59,004 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,563 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Midwestern State University lands at #47 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $55,747 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,656 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Wharton County Junior College lands at #48 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,960 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,666 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor lands at #49 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $56,132 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,106 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Amarillo College lands at #50 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $41,302 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,600 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Management Analyst career guide →Choosing the right business college can feel overwhelming, especially in a state like Texas, where options abound. With 50 schools offering business programs, students and families want to know which institutions provide the best outcomes that matter most after graduation.
The strongest programs stand out based on key metrics like earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and, importantly, mobility. This list highlights schools that not only prepare students academically but also support their financial futures, offering a clear view of what to expect when entering the job market.
For instance, Rice University leads the pack with impressive earnings of $89,718 and a graduation rate of 95%, making it a standout choice. In contrast, the University of Houston, while still a solid option, shows earnings of $62,377 and a graduation rate of only 65%. These differences illustrate the trade-offs students may consider as they weigh their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 45 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.1%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. The University of Texas at El Paso leads the group at 6.8%, with Sul Ross State University (5.2%) and Odessa College (4.7%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 9.7% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. The University of Texas at El Paso enrolls the most, at 28%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 25.3% across the list, peaking at 48.7% at Rice University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.60, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Rice University is highest at 1.86.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we look closer at the data, the contrast between Rice University and the University of Houston is striking. Rice not only has higher earnings at $89,718, but also boasts a graduation rate of 95%. In comparison, the University of Houston, despite being a reputable institution, has earnings of $62,377 and a graduation rate of just 65%. This disparity highlights how program strength can directly impact graduates' financial outcomes.
As you sift through the 50 schools listed, consider how each institution aligns with your personal priorities. Think about location, the specific business programs they offer, and the campus atmosphere you desire. It's not just about rankings; it's about finding the right fit for your goals and financial situation.
Ultimately, this data underscores the importance of choosing a college that sets graduates on a stable path. The decisions a family makes today can influence a student's career trajectory and financial well-being. Understanding these outcomes helps families make informed choices that can lead to a more secure future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Business Colleges in Texas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Business Colleges in Texas ranking? +
Trinity University in San Antonio, TX ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Business Colleges in Texas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $71,668 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 83% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Rice University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $89,718 ten years after enrollment, well above the $56,682 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Western Texas College leads: graduates earn a median $42,508 against net price of about $3,562 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Rice University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 95%, compared with a 53% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $18,116 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Western Texas College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,562. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Business Colleges in Texas ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
