Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degree) at Sterling College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$45,265

Est. from national median (67 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,396

Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

Starting a business is risky enough—doing it with $25,400 in student loans makes that challenge steeper. Based on what similar entrepreneurship bachelor's programs produce nationally, Sterling's estimated debt burden sits above the typical $24,125, while first-year earnings around $45,265 align with the national median. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means graduates would owe more than half their first-year income, which is manageable but leaves little cushion for the typical feast-or-famine early years of entrepreneurship.

The state comparison adds perspective: Kansas State's entrepreneurship program produces graduates earning about $39,600, roughly $5,600 less than what peer programs nationally suggest for Sterling. If Sterling's actual outcomes track closer to Kansas State's, that would significantly change the value calculation. The larger concern is whether any bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship justifies substantial debt when many successful business owners skip formal credentials entirely or pursue lower-cost community college options.

For parents, the question isn't just whether their child will earn enough to service the debt—it's whether this specific path makes sense when entrepreneurial success depends more on execution, market timing, and networking than credentials. Without Sterling's actual graduate outcomes, you're betting on the program matching national patterns rather than local Kansas results. That's a meaningful gamble when peer programs show such variation.

Where Sterling College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (8 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Sterling CollegeSterling	$32,200	$45,265*	—	$25,396*	—
Kansas State UniversityManhattan	$10,942	$39,646*	—	$21,287*	0.54
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 Sterling College, approximately 32% 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.