Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's entrepreneurial program graduates earn roughly $40,000 their first year out—not just below the national median, but trailing most other Missouri programs by a significant margin. At the 25th percentile statewide, this means three-quarters of similar programs in Missouri deliver better starting salaries. The gap is stark: the state median for this degree sits at $49,000, nearly $9,000 above what Missouri State graduates typically see.

The debt load here is moderate at $21,750, and the 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates can manage repayment. That's the silver lining. But when nearby Saint Louis University's entrepreneurship grads start at $57,000—over $17,000 more—parents should ask what accounts for the difference. Is it curriculum, network access, or simply student selection? With Missouri State's 91% admission rate, the program may be more accessible but appears less competitive in placement outcomes.

The real caution: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could vary widely. Still, ranking in the bottom quartile among Missouri programs suggests this isn't just statistical noise. For a field where connections and practical experience matter enormously, graduates here seem to be starting their entrepreneurial careers from a lower financial baseline than peers across the state.