Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Ashford University

Ashford's entrepreneurship degree shows an unusual earnings trajectory that demands scrutiny: graduates earn $40,890 initially, then see incomes drop 17% to $34,015 by year four. While this program ranks at the 60th percentile among California's small business programs, that's misleading context—graduates here face nearly $46,500 in debt, more than double the state median of $21,656 for this degree. That debt burden represents 114% of first-year earnings, making it one of the most expensive entrepreneurship programs in the country by debt-to-earnings ratio.

The declining income pattern is particularly troubling for a business degree, where earnings typically grow as professionals build their ventures or climb management roles. At the University of San Francisco, entrepreneurship graduates earn $43,146, and their debt loads are likely more manageable. Even Cal State San Bernardino's program, with lower initial earnings of $37,818, likely leaves students with significantly less debt.

For parents considering this program, the math is straightforward: your child would graduate owing $46,500 to earn less than $35,000 four years later. That's a debt load requiring roughly 12% of pre-tax income just for standard federal loan payments. Unless your family can substantially reduce borrowing through scholarships or out-of-pocket payments, this investment carries serious financial risk.