Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at American Public University System

American Public University System's online entrepreneurship program shows graduates earning $54,563 within their first year—nearly $10,000 above the national median for this degree and ranking in the 82nd percentile nationally. That's a meaningful premium for a program that draws from a nationwide student base. However, interpret these numbers cautiously: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, a few high or low earners can significantly skew the results.

The debt picture is notably strong. At $33,678, graduates carry about $9,500 more than the national median, but here's the critical context: this places the program in just the 5th percentile for debt nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 suggests graduates earn enough to manage repayment without severe strain—roughly $1.60 earned for every dollar borrowed.

For parents considering this online program, the key question is whether these early numbers hold up at scale. The small sample means you're looking at a snapshot, not a clear pattern. If your student values the flexibility of online learning and has genuine entrepreneurial ambitions, the combination of above-average earnings and relatively manageable debt is encouraging. But given the limited data, look closely at whether the program's curriculum and support systems actually match your student's specific business goals—the numbers suggest promise, but can't tell you if this particular program will work for them.