Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Central Michigan University

Central Michigan's entrepreneurship program lands right in the middle of the pack—40th percentile among Michigan programs and 42nd nationally—with first-year earnings of $42,908 trailing both state and national medians by a few thousand dollars. The real value question here centers on the $27,000 debt load, which actually ranks quite well (5th percentile nationally, meaning lower than 95% of similar programs). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, graduates owe roughly seven and a half months of their first-year salary, a manageable starting point for entrepreneurship careers that often involve unpredictable early income.

The 25% earnings growth to $53,574 by year four suggests the program adequately prepares graduates for career progression, though it's worth noting that entrepreneurship outcomes can be particularly variable depending on whether graduates launch their own ventures or take business development roles in established companies. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers represent real outcomes, not just a handful of data points.

For families focused on limiting debt while accessing entrepreneurship education, this program delivers solid value—you're getting below-average debt for average earnings. However, if your child is comparing this to Grand Valley State's essentially identical outcomes, the decision likely comes down to fit and location rather than financial returns. The key consideration: entrepreneurship success often depends more on drive and networks than the pedigree of the degree itself.