Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degree) at Jackson State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$45,265

Est. from national median (67 programs)

Median Debt

$36,890

53% above national median

Analysis

The $36,890 debt load here is striking—it's 53% higher than what bachelor's graduates in entrepreneurship typically carry nationally. With estimated first-year earnings around $45,000 based on national peer programs, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81, which isn't catastrophic but becomes concerning when paired with how much more debt Jackson State students accumulate compared to their counterparts elsewhere. Only 5% of entrepreneurship programs nationally leave graduates with higher debt burdens.

This debt gap matters particularly at an institution where 68% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are already financially stretched. Starting a business—the whole point of this degree—typically requires capital, and doing so with $37,000 in student loans creates a significant handicap. Similar programs nationally prepare students with roughly $12,000 less debt, giving those graduates more runway to take the risks entrepreneurship demands.

The estimated $45,000 first-year salary comes from national data because Jackson State's graduate sample was too small to report. Whether this reflects fewer graduates, different career paths, or simply privacy protections remains unclear. For a family considering this investment, the certainty is the debt—which is both substantial and significantly above typical levels—while the earnings picture relies entirely on what's happening at programs elsewhere in the country.

Where Jackson State University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Jackson State UniversityJackson	$9,090	$45,265*	—	$36,890	—
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill	$67,680	$74,446*	—	$19,000	0.26
Brown UniversityProvidence	$68,230	$67,900*	$111,654	$18,000	0.27
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle	$12,643	$65,177*	$79,087	—	—
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth	$57,220	$65,028*	—	$25,292	0.39
University of ArizonaTucson	$13,626	$64,211*	$76,811	$23,962	0.37
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 Jackson State University, approximately 68% 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.