Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degree) at San Jose State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,890

Est. from CA median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,350

Est. from national median (29 programs)

Analysis

The estimated $23,350 in debt for this program sits right at the national norm, but similar entrepreneurship bachelor's programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $40,890—about $4,400 below what graduates nationally typically earn in this field. With debt running at 57% of that first-year salary, the financial picture isn't alarming, but it's not particularly compelling either. Based on peer programs like Cal State San Bernardino's entrepreneurship track ($37,818) and University of San Francisco's ($43,146), there's meaningful variation in how these degrees translate to early earnings, even within California's startup ecosystem.

The challenge here is that San Jose State's location in Silicon Valley—typically a premium for business grads—doesn't appear to deliver an earnings advantage for this particular program based on what comparable California schools produce. For a degree explicitly focused on starting and running businesses, where success often depends more on execution and capital access than credentials, you're looking at debt that would take careful management to service while launching a venture. The 35% Pell grant population suggests many families here are taking on real financial risk for outcomes that comparable programs show can vary significantly.

If your student is committed to entrepreneurship specifically and values the Bay Area network, this could work—but recognize you're paying similar debt for potentially below-national-average returns, and business-building timelines rarely align neatly with loan repayment schedules.

Where San Jose State 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
San Jose State UniversitySan Jose	$7,992	$40,890*	—	$23,350*	—
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 San Jose State University, approximately 35% 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.