Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Bunker Hill Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
bhcc.eduAnalysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 looks manageable on paper, but here's the challenge: both figures come from national medians of similar entrepreneurship certificates, not from Bunker Hill's actual outcomes. For a credential designed to launch businesses or enhance small business management skills, that estimated $41,685 first-year salary may reflect traditional employment rather than entrepreneurial ventures—which often take longer to generate comparable income and wouldn't show up in wage data anyway.
The real question is what you're buying with this certificate. Entrepreneurship education can provide valuable frameworks and connections, but similar programs nationally produce widely varying results, and we don't know where Bunker Hill's graduates land in that distribution. With 38% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are making this investment with limited financial cushion. An $18,788 debt burden isn't catastrophic, but it becomes harder to manage if the certificate doesn't directly translate to employment or if a business venture takes time to become profitable.
Before committing, dig into what Bunker Hill's program actually delivers: Who teaches it? What's the placement rate into jobs versus self-employment? Do graduates stay in the Boston area where business costs are high? The estimated numbers suggest modest risk, but without knowing this specific program's track record, you're essentially betting that Bunker Hill matches the national middle-of-the-pack rather than falling below it.
Where Bunker Hill Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all entrepreneurial and small business operations certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,520 | $41,685* | — | $18,788* | — | |
| $11,180 | $64,900* | — | $19,500* | 0.30 | |
| $21,524 | $51,635* | — | $23,063* | 0.45 | |
| $10,964 | $46,878* | $60,850 | $26,000* | 0.55 | |
| $10,020 | $42,545* | — | $23,397* | 0.55 | |
| $3,106 | $40,824* | — | $10,740* | 0.26 | |
| National Median | — | $41,684* | — | $18,788* | 0.45 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with entrepreneurial and small business operations graduates
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Personal Service Managers, All Other
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
Spa Managers
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Operations Managers
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 Bunker Hill Community College, approximately 38% 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 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.