Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at University of Dayton

University of Dayton's entrepreneurship program graduates earn $55,864 in their first year—nearly $8,000 more than the typical Ohio graduate in this field and $10,000 above the national median. While this lands them at the 60th percentile statewide, it's the earnings trajectory that sets this program apart: graduates see incomes climb to $67,735 by year four, a 21% increase that suggests the entrepreneurial skills taught here translate to real career acceleration. The debt load of $25,813 remains manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 that should be repayable within reasonable timeframes.

What's particularly striking is how this program outperforms comparable Ohio options. The state's top entrepreneurship programs—including all three Miami University campuses and Kent State—see graduates earning around $47,000, a full $8,000 less than Dayton grads. This gap suggests that Dayton's connections to the local business community or its curriculum approach provides tangible advantages in the job market.

For parents weighing cost against outcomes, this represents solid value. Your child would graduate with below-average debt for this field while earning well above what most entrepreneurship majors make—both in Ohio and nationally. The moderate sample size means some year-to-year variation is possible, but the overall financial picture points to a program that delivers on its promise to prepare students for business success.