Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degree) at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$37,753

Est. from NY median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,350

Est. from national median (29 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship at this price point—around $23,000 in estimated debt—might seem manageable until you consider what similar New York programs suggest about first-year earnings. At roughly $38,000, these figures place this program well below the national median of $45,000 for entrepreneurship degrees, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 that means graduates would be carrying debt equal to about 7.5 months of their first-year salary.

The gap is particularly striking when you look at what other New York schools achieve. Syracuse's entrepreneurship graduates earn nearly $55,000 in their first year—45% more than what comparable programs in the state typically produce. Even accounting for Syracuse's likely higher debt loads, that earning power creates fundamentally different financial flexibility. The estimated figures here suggest outcomes closer to Fashion Institute of Technology's $24,000, but without FIT's presumably lower debt burden that comes with being a CUNY institution.

For a field built around creating value and identifying opportunities, these estimated numbers suggest graduates from comparable programs may struggle to get their own businesses off the ground while servicing student loans. If your child is set on entrepreneurship, programs with stronger earning outcomes would provide more runway for the risk-taking and investment that launching a business actually requires.

Where CUNY Graduate School and University Center Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York	$7,410	$37,753*	—	$23,350*	—
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse	$63,061	$55,039*	$68,507	$26,350*	0.48
Clarkson UniversityPotsdam	$57,950	$37,753*	$52,566	$27,000*	0.72
Fashion Institute of TechnologyNew York	$6,170	$24,387*	—	$19,500*	0.80
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 CUNY Graduate School and University Center, 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 median of 3 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.