Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

A bachelor's in entrepreneurial studies from Fairleigh Dickinson would mean borrowing an estimated $25,400 to reach projected first-year earnings of around $45,300—figures drawn from comparable programs nationally since this specific program doesn't have enough graduates for the DOE to report actual outcomes. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 sits in reasonable territory, suggesting the debt load would be manageable if those earnings materialize, though it's worth noting that similar programs in New Jersey typically produce slightly lower returns (around $43,700 at Rowan University, the only state program with reported data).

The challenge with entrepreneurship degrees is that success depends heavily on individual initiative and opportunity rather than the credential itself. Many successful entrepreneurs never finish college, while others use business degrees primarily for the networking and foundational knowledge. For a student committed to starting their own venture, $25,400 in debt could either be seed capital better invested in a business, or it could provide structure and connections that prove invaluable. The nearly open admission (96%) means you're not paying for selectivity or an elite network.

Bottom line: If your child is genuinely entrepreneurial, evaluate whether this investment offers something they couldn't gain through cheaper alternatives—community college followed by state school, online learning, or direct business experience. The estimated numbers suggest survivable debt, but entrepreneurship programs live or die on what the specific school delivers beyond the diploma.