Analysis
A bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship from a private university, financed with an estimated $25,396 in debt and leading to first-year earnings around $36,000, presents a challenging financial equation. Based on similar programs in Florida, these earnings fall nearly $10,000 below the national median for entrepreneurship graduates and trail significantly behind Florida State's $48,625 and even Rollins College's $37,950βdespite Stetson's comparable tuition structure as a private institution.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 means you'd be financing nearly three-quarters of a year's income to complete this degree. While that's not catastrophic, it's concerning given that entrepreneurship programs typically attract students who may launch ventures rather than immediately draw salaries, potentially making that debt burden harder to service in the early years. Florida's entrepreneurship graduates cluster in the mid-$30,000s at most schools, suggesting this is more a field-wide reality than a Stetson-specific issue.
For parents, the central question is whether Stetson's network, curriculum, and location justify private school tuition when peer programs suggest modest early earnings. If your student plans to start a business immediately after graduation, factor in that debt payments will compete with startup capital needs. If they're pursuing traditional employment first, recognize they'll likely earn less than business administration graduates while carrying similar debt.
Where Stetson University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all entrepreneurial and small business operations bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (12 total in state)
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $55,220 | $35,994* | β | $25,396* | β | |
| $5,656 | $48,625* | β | $17,100* | 0.35 | |
| $58,300 | $37,950* | β | β* | β | |
| $33,424 | $34,038* | β | $27,000* | 0.79 | |
| $6,410 | $33,249* | $32,893 | β* | β | |
| National Median | β | $45,265* | β | $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 Stetson 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 4 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.