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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$45,265

Est. from national median (67 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,350

Est. from national median (29 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 suggests manageable repayment for this program, though the figures themselves require scrutiny. Both the $45,265 first-year earnings and $23,350 debt load come from national medians across similar programs, not from tracking Minot State graduates specifically. What's interesting is that these national estimates actually outperform the one North Dakota program with reported data—University of North Dakota's graduates earn $40,142, about $5,000 less than the national benchmark used here. This gap raises questions about whether Minot State's outcomes truly align with national norms or more closely track the lower ND market reality.

The fundamental challenge with entrepreneurship degrees is that outcomes vary wildly based on individual business success, making even actual reported data difficult to interpret—and estimated figures doubly so. The national median comes from just 67 programs reporting earnings data, a small fraction of the 322 schools offering this degree, suggesting high suppression rates industry-wide. In North Dakota's smaller economy, entrepreneurial ventures may face additional headwinds that aren't captured in national averages. The $23,350 estimated debt sits slightly below the national program median of $24,125, but without knowing actual placement rates or business survival statistics for Minot State graduates, you're essentially betting on your child's ability to build something viable from scratch while carrying a car payment's worth of debt.

Where Minot State University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Dakota

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Dakota (3 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Minot State UniversityMinot	$8,634	$45,265*	—	$23,350*	—
University of North DakotaGrand Forks	$10,951	$40,142*	$54,055	$26,000*	0.65
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 Minot State University, approximately 24% 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.