Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bachelor's Degree
okwu.eduAnalysis
This bachelor's program in entrepreneurship presents a relatively balanced financial picture, though the reliance on national estimates makes it difficult to assess Oklahoma Wesleyan's specific outcomes. Based on comparable business programs at similar institutions, graduates typically leave with about $25,400 in debt—slightly above the national median for this field—and estimated first-year earnings around $45,300. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 suggests manageable repayment, falling within the conventional "affordable" threshold.
The challenge with entrepreneurship degrees is that traditional salary metrics don't capture graduates who launch their own ventures, where income can be highly variable and delayed. The estimated earnings figure reflects employees in small business roles, not business owners. For students planning to work for someone else initially, the numbers align reasonably with other Oklahoma programs like Oklahoma State's, where reported earnings are nearly identical. However, with 39% of Oklahoma Wesleyan students receiving Pell grants, that $25,400 debt load represents a meaningful commitment for families without financial cushion.
If your child intends to start a business immediately after graduation, understand that these earnings estimates won't apply during the startup phase. For those planning traditional employment first—perhaps managing operations for an established small business—the financial profile appears workable, though not particularly lucrative. The key question is whether the specific mentorship and networking at Oklahoma Wesleyan justify choosing this program over lower-cost in-state alternatives, since the earnings outcomes appear roughly equivalent across Oklahoma's entrepreneurship programs.
Where Oklahoma Wesleyan University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all entrepreneurial and small business operations bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (4 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $31,466 | $45,265* | — | $25,396* | — | |
| $10,234 | $45,366* | — | $22,500* | 0.50 | |
| National Median | — | $45,265* | — | $24,125* | 0.53 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with entrepreneurial and small business operations graduates
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Personal Service Managers, All Other
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
Spa Managers
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Operations Managers
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 Oklahoma Wesleyan University, approximately 39% 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.