Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Fashion Institute of Technology

Starting at roughly half the national median for this degree—$24,387 versus $45,265—is concerning enough, but FIT's entrepreneurship program ranks in just the 10th percentile among New York programs and the 5th percentile nationally. To put that in perspective: Syracuse graduates in this field earn more than double what FIT graduates report earning one year out. Even the New York state median ($37,753) sits 55% higher than FIT's figure. The debt load of $19,500 isn't catastrophic in absolute terms, but when your first-year earnings barely exceed $24,000, that 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio means nearly a full year's salary goes toward loans.

The small sample size—under 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift with more data, but they're the only concrete evidence available right now. For a program at a fashion-focused institution in expensive New York City, these earnings suggest graduates may struggle to gain traction, even in the entrepreneurial and small business landscape of the city. The 32% Pell grant population indicates many students here need strong early-career earnings to justify their investment.

If your child is determined to study entrepreneurship, this data suggests looking elsewhere in New York state. Even the state median program would deliver 55% higher earnings, and top performers like Syracuse more than double this outcome.