Business/Commerce, General at Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,471/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)
ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 242 Business/Commerce, General programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business/Commerce, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $600K $591K $536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.0x 18.7x 17.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.2x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,512
Out-of-state: $71,832 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,044
-157% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,093
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,751
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $49,471/yr, roughly in line with the $48,211 national median for Business/Commerce, General. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 18.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business/Commerce, General career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $49,471 far exceeding the $18,093 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Tarleton State University ranks #12 among 242 Business/Commerce, General programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 35% earnings increase from $49,471 to $66,751 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,263 students in Stephenville, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Tarleton State University →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
View all 16 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business/Commerce, General at Tarleton State University?
At 74/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business/Commerce, General at Tarleton State University?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Tarleton State University one of the best schools for Business/Commerce, General?
Among 242 Business/Commerce, General programs, Tarleton State University's #12 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →