Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at MidAmerica Nazarene University

With estimated debt around $25,400 and projected first-year earnings of roughly $45,300 based on comparable entrepreneurship bachelor's programs nationally, this program carries a debt load that's about half of first-year income—a manageable ratio by conventional standards. However, the reality of entrepreneurship makes these projections particularly uncertain. Many graduates in this field work for themselves or join startups, leading to highly variable early earnings that industry-wide averages can't fully capture.

Kansas State's reported outcomes for entrepreneurship graduates show earnings of $39,600, which sits notably below the national median this estimate draws from. That gap suggests the Kansas market for this degree may be softer than the national picture implies, though it's worth noting that Kansas State serves a different student population. The estimated debt here is slightly higher than both the national and state medians for similar programs, which compounds the concern about uncertain earnings.

For a family considering this investment, the fundamental challenge is that entrepreneurship outcomes depend heavily on individual execution, not just the degree itself. The education may provide valuable framework and connections, but starting a business or working in small business management means your child's earnings will likely vary significantly from any statistical average. If they're planning to launch their own venture, expect irregular income in early years regardless of what peer program data suggests.