Business/Commerce, General at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Associate Degree

serving 16,131 students in McAllen, TX.

Program Analysis

South Texas College's Business/Commerce, General graduates start at $24,738/yr, trailing the $36,982 national average by 33%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 36.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 46% of job tasks, producing a 31% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

At #115 out of 130 programs, South Texas College's financial outcomes for Business/Commerce, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $24,738 to $34,698 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business/Commerce, General, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
61
Score
63
High End
Earnings $24,738/yr (-33% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$373K
8.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
37.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,840
Out-of-state: $15,000
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,698
40% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business/Commerce, General graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

About Business/Commerce, General Careers

Your career in business often starts by mastering a specific function. You might begin as a project coordinator, using tools like Asana and Slack to keep teams on schedule, or as a management analyst, digging into spreadsheets and interviewing staff to pinpoint how a company can improve efficiency. Your days are a mix of collaboration, problem-solving, and communicating your findings to leadership. As you gain experience, you’ll progress from executing tasks to directing them, becoming an operations manager who oversees a department’s budget and staff or a sales manager leading a team to hit its targets.

Read the full Business/Commerce, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business/Commerce, General Overview

Business/Commerce, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Texas College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does South Texas College's Business/Commerce, General program score?
A score of 61/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but South Texas College trails the majority of Business/Commerce, General programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI affect Business/Commerce, General careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $258,814 in decade earnings vs $372,748 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Business/Commerce, General earnings lower at South Texas College?
Starting salary is one data point. If South Texas College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Business/Commerce, General?
Business/Commerce, General connects to 8 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Business/Commerce, General graduates?
With approximately 832,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Business/Commerce, General offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →