Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at The College of the Florida Keys

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,685

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$18,788

Est. from national median (11 programs)

Analysis

An undergraduate certificate in entrepreneurial studies typically leads to starting salaries around $42,000 nationally, and peer programs in Florida suggest this College of the Florida Keys program follows that pattern. The estimated debt load of $18,788 would translate to roughly $200 in monthly loan payments—manageable on that first-year salary, though it's worth noting Florida programs average closer to $14,000 in debt. The 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within reasonable bounds for a certificate program, though students here may be borrowing slightly more than at other Florida schools.

The challenge with small business certificates is that outcomes depend heavily on what students do after graduation. Those who launch businesses may see widely varying results, while those who take jobs in existing small businesses are competing with candidates who have traditional business credentials. Similar Florida programs show a tight salary range in the upper $30,000s to low $40,000s, which suggests consistent but modest early earnings potential. The Keys' unique tourism-heavy economy could cut either ways—offering entrepreneurial opportunities but with higher living costs than mainland Florida.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether your student has a specific business concept or industry connection. Without concrete data on this school's graduates specifically, you're making a bet that outcomes will mirror peer programs—reasonable for those with a clear plan, riskier as general business training.

Where The College of the Florida Keys Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (26 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
The College of the Florida KeysKey West	$3,279	$41,685*	—	$18,788*	—
Daytona State CollegeDaytona Beach	$3,106	$40,824*	—	$10,740*	0.26
Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa	$2,506	$36,690*	—	$16,573*	0.45
National Median	—	$41,684*	—	$18,788*	0.45

* 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 The College of the Florida Keys, approximately 30% 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.