Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at CUNY Kingsborough Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 suggests reasonable leverage for a certificate program—you'd owe roughly five months of first-year salary based on what peer entrepreneurship programs nationally produce. At an estimated $18,788 in debt against first-year earnings around $41,685, graduates from similar programs typically face manageable repayment, though this still represents a meaningful financial commitment for a credential below the associate degree level.

The bigger question is whether this certificate offers enough earning power to justify the cost. Similar entrepreneurship certificates across the country produce median earnings that put graduates just above minimum wage in New York City. For comparison, many associate degree programs at community colleges lead to higher first-year earnings while building toward further credentials. The 470 schools offering this program nationally shows strong institutional interest, but the limited data—both here and across New York's 17 programs—makes it harder to verify whether graduates actually launch businesses or primarily take entry-level positions.

For a parent considering this investment, understand that you're essentially betting $19,000 on a short credential in a field where success depends heavily on individual initiative and business acumen rather than the certificate itself. If your child has a specific business concept and needs foundational knowledge, this might serve as affordable preparation. But if they're exploring options, an associate degree—even in business generally—would likely offer more flexibility and earning potential for a similar debt load.