Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at California State University-San Bernardino

A starting salary under $38,000 is concerning for a business degree, but what really stands out here is the backward trajectory: graduates earn less four years out than they did fresh out of college. While this program keeps debt manageable at roughly $20,000—below both state and national averages—the declining earnings pattern suggests many graduates may be cycling through entry-level positions or finding that small business ventures take longer to generate stable income than expected.

Among California's entrepreneurship programs, this one lands near the middle of the pack (40th percentile), trailing University of San Francisco by about $5,300 annually. But statewide, this credential isn't producing the financial results parents typically expect from a four-year degree. The 10% earnings decline between years one and four is unusual for a bachelor's program and hints at something specific about entrepreneurship education: classroom theory doesn't always translate to sustainable business income in the critical early years after graduation.

The lower debt load offers some cushion, and Cal State San Bernardino serves primarily Pell-eligible students who might not have other affordable paths to business ownership. But practically speaking, your child could earn similar money without four years of college and debt. If they're set on this program, they'll need backup plans—whether that's working for established businesses first, pursuing it as a second degree while already employed, or understanding this may be a longer-term investment in eventual business success rather than immediate income.