Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degree) at Alabama A & M University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$45,265

Est. from national median (67 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,350

Est. from national median (29 programs)

Analysis

A debt load of $23,350 for a bachelor's degree is manageable territory—half a year's expected earnings—but the real question is whether this specific program at Alabama A&M can deliver returns above what these national estimates suggest. With 64% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on strong employment outcomes to justify the investment.

The challenge is that we're working entirely from comparable programs elsewhere. Similar entrepreneurship bachelor's programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $45,000, which translates to monthly payments of roughly $240 on standard repayment—about 6% of gross pay. That's workable math. However, entrepreneurship programs vary wildly in their effectiveness depending on local business ecosystems, alumni networks, and internship pipelines. A program in Normal, Alabama faces different market dynamics than one in Birmingham or Huntsville, and these estimates can't capture those differences.

For families considering this path, the immediate concern is verification. Before committing, you need to understand what distinguishes Alabama A&M's entrepreneurship track from the national pool it's being compared against. What local businesses recruit here? What do recent graduates actually earn in their first jobs? The estimated numbers suggest reasonable risk, but without program-specific outcomes, you're essentially betting that this school performs at least as well as the typical entrepreneurship program nationwide—a bet that requires more evidence than estimates can provide.

Where Alabama A & M University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all entrepreneurial and small business operations bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Alabama A & M UniversityNormal	$10,024	$45,265*	—	$23,350*	—
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill	$67,680	$74,446*	—	$19,000*	0.26
Brown UniversityProvidence	$68,230	$67,900*	$111,654	$18,000*	0.27
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle	$12,643	$65,177*	$79,087	—*	—
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth	$57,220	$65,028*	—	$25,292*	0.39
University of ArizonaTucson	$13,626	$64,211*	$76,811	$23,962*	0.37
National Median	—	$45,265*	—	$24,125*	0.53

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with entrepreneurial and small business operations graduates

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Personal Service Managers, All Other

All personal service managers not listed separately.

Fitness and Wellness Coordinators

Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or fitness instructors.

Spa Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of a spa facility. Coordinate programs, schedule and direct staff, and oversee financial activities.

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Alabama A & M University, approximately 64% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 67 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.