Est. Earnings (1yr)
$45,265
Est. from national median (67 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,396
Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

A debt load around $25,400 paired with first-year earnings near $45,300 creates a manageable but hardly inspiring financial picture for this bachelor's degree. Based on comparable entrepreneurship programs nationwide, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 sits in workable territory—not a red flag, but not a confidence-builder either. What's trickier here is gauging whether Christian Brothers delivers advantages that justify choosing it over Middle Tennessee State, where entrepreneurship graduates reportedly earn around $43,000—nearly identical to what peer programs suggest CBU graduates might make, but potentially at lower cost given MTSU's public school tuition structure.

The estimated earnings fall right at the national median for entrepreneurship degrees, which means this program appears neither particularly strong nor weak compared to its 322 peer programs across the country. For a field built around business creation and hustle, starting around $45,000 is reasonable but leaves little margin for error if that degree debt stretches repayment timelines. Tennessee's entrepreneurship landscape shows fairly uniform outcomes, so the real differentiator becomes whether CBU's smaller, faith-based environment and networking opportunities outweigh the cost premium over public alternatives. Without confirmed outcomes specific to this school, you're essentially betting that the program performs at least as well as the typical entrepreneurship degree—a bet that requires confidence in CBU's specific value-adds beyond what the numbers alone can tell you.

Where Christian Brothers University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all entrepreneurial and small business operations bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (10 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Christian Brothers UniversityMemphis$37,300$45,265*$25,396*
Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro$9,506$43,002*$35,270*
National Median$45,265*$24,125*0.53
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with entrepreneurial and small business operations graduates

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Personal Service Managers, All Other

All personal service managers not listed separately.

Fitness and Wellness Coordinators

Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or fitness instructors.

Spa Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of a spa facility. Coordinate programs, schedule and direct staff, and oversee financial activities.

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

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 Christian Brothers University, approximately 31% 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 67 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.