Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degree) at Point Loma Nazarene University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,890

Est. from CA median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,396

Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

A $25,400 debt load for first-year earnings around $41,000 creates a manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio—well within the often-cited threshold of concern. However, the broader context matters here. Comparable entrepreneurship bachelor's programs in California cluster tightly around this same $41,000 mark, while the national median sits noticeably higher at $45,265. Point Loma's estimated figures land right at the California median but trail the national benchmark by roughly $4,400 annually, a gap that compounds over a career.

The $25,400 debt estimate comes from similar private nonprofit institutions nationally and exceeds both California's typical debt load for this major ($21,656) and the national median ($24,125). For a field where many graduates launch businesses rather than climbing traditional corporate ladders—meaning unpredictable early income—carrying above-average debt introduces additional risk during those crucial startup years when cash flow is uncertain.

The practical challenge: entrepreneurship programs prepare students to create opportunities rather than fill existing positions, making the earnings data inherently volatile and program-specific outcomes difficult to predict. With Point Loma's actual graduate outcomes suppressed due to small sample sizes, parents should consider whether the estimated premium debt is justified by factors the data can't capture—mentorship networks, San Diego's startup ecosystem access, or specific curricular advantages that might offset starting below the national earning power for this degree.

Where Point Loma Nazarene University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (11 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego	$43,550	$40,890*	—	$25,396*	—
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco	$58,222	$43,146*	$83,065	$22,812*	0.53
Ashford UniversitySan Diego	$13,160	$40,890*	$34,015	$46,438*	1.14
California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino	$7,675	$37,818*	$33,842	$19,998*	0.53
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 Point Loma Nazarene University, approximately 23% 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 median of 3 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.