Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Rose State College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
rose.eduAnalysis
A certificate program that brings $18,788 in debt for estimated first-year earnings of $41,685 deserves scrutiny, especially when we're working with national benchmarks rather than actual outcomes from Rose State's graduates. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 suggests graduates would need to dedicate roughly half their first-year income to paying down loans—manageable but not comfortable for someone presumably trying to launch or run a business.
The challenge with entrepreneurial programs is that earnings data captures only those working traditional jobs, not successful business owners who might be doing much better—or struggling entrepreneurs who haven't drawn a salary yet. The $41,685 figure represents what comparable certificate holders earn nationally when they're employed by others, which may or may not reflect your child's path. If they're planning to start a business immediately, these earnings estimates become almost meaningless.
For a short certificate program, nearly $19,000 in debt is substantial. Before committing, determine whether Rose State offers specific placement support or business incubation services that justify this investment over cheaper alternatives like Small Business Development Centers, online courses, or learning directly from a mentor. The data here is too limited and the career path too variable to assess value with confidence—you need concrete details about what this specific program delivers that free or low-cost resources don't.
Where Rose State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all entrepreneurial and small business operations certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,032 | $41,685* | — | $18,788* | — | |
| $11,180 | $64,900* | — | $19,500* | 0.30 | |
| $21,524 | $51,635* | — | $23,063* | 0.45 | |
| $10,964 | $46,878* | $60,850 | $26,000* | 0.55 | |
| $10,020 | $42,545* | — | $23,397* | 0.55 | |
| $3,106 | $40,824* | — | $10,740* | 0.26 | |
| National Median | — | $41,684* | — | $18,788* | 0.45 |
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 Rose State College, approximately 29% 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 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.