Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degree) at Columbia College

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-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 suggests manageable student loan payments, but the challenge with this program lies in what we don't know. Because Columbia College's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish outcomes, we're working with national benchmarks showing $45,265 in first-year earnings—figures that may not reflect this specific school's results. What we do know is that Missouri's entrepreneurship programs show significant variation: Saint Louis University graduates report earning $57,411, while Missouri State comes in at $39,840, suggesting that school selection matters considerably in this field.

The estimated $25,396 debt load is close to national norms for entrepreneurship degrees, and for a field where many graduates may pursue their own ventures rather than traditional employment, the debt burden isn't crushing. However, entrepreneurship outcomes are notoriously variable—success depends heavily on individual business ventures, market conditions, and the specific networks and support systems a program provides. With 44% of students receiving Pell grants, Columbia College serves a financially diverse population, making predictable earnings particularly important for debt repayment.

Without actual graduate outcomes, you're essentially betting on Columbia College's program quality relative to national averages. If your child is committed to entrepreneurship, investigate what distinguishes this program: mentorship quality, local business connections in Columbia, and startup support resources. The financial framework looks reasonable on paper, but in a field this variable, the intangibles may matter more than the estimates suggest.

Where Columbia College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (11 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Columbia CollegeColumbia	$24,326	$45,265*	—	$25,396*	—
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis	$53,244	$57,411*	—	$25,000*	0.44
Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield	$9,024	$39,840*	—	$21,750*	0.55
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 Columbia College, approximately 44% 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.