Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Saint Edward's University
Bachelor's Degree
stedwards.eduAnalysis
A $25,000 debt load for a degree where first-year earnings hover around $45,000—the state median for Texas entrepreneurship programs—creates a manageable but unexceptional starting point. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 suggests you could theoretically pay off loans in about four years of focused repayment, which isn't alarming. However, the estimated figures here tell us more about what's typical for entrepreneurship bachelor's programs in Texas than what Saint Edward's specifically delivers for its graduates.
The field itself shows enormous variance in outcomes. Top programs in Texas like TCU ($65,000) and Baylor ($59,000) produce significantly higher early earnings, while the lower end sits around $32,000. Where Saint Edward's actually falls in this range remains unclear given the suppressed data. For a tuition-driven private school in Austin—one of the country's most expensive cities and most dynamic startup ecosystems—you'd hope the location advantage would push outcomes above the state median rather than simply matching it.
The practical question is whether this degree provides better career launching power than starting a business directly or pursuing lower-cost alternatives. If your child is genuinely entrepreneurial, some would argue the real education comes from trying and failing with actual ventures rather than accumulating five-figure debt studying business theory. The data limitations here make this more of a gut-check decision about the value of Saint Edward's network and curriculum than a clear financial calculation.
Where Saint Edward's University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all entrepreneurial and small business operations bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $51,384 | $45,265* | — | $25,396* | — | |
| $57,220 | $65,028* | — | $25,292* | 0.39 | |
| $54,844 | $59,052* | $78,193 | $19,375* | 0.33 | |
| $9,711 | $52,752* | — | $11,100* | 0.21 | |
| $11,164 | $45,265* | $55,824 | $19,365* | 0.43 | |
| $8,690 | $32,129* | $37,736 | $25,406* | 0.79 | |
| 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 Saint Edward's 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 median of 7 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.