Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota's entrepreneurship program starts graduates at $40,142—below the national median for this degree—but manages respectable debt at $26,000. The 35% earnings jump to $54,055 by year four is encouraging, suggesting graduates gain traction as they build businesses or climb into management roles. That said, rankings tell a complex story: while this program sits in the 60th percentile among North Dakota's three entrepreneurship programs, it lands in just the 32nd percentile nationally, meaning most comparable programs elsewhere produce higher-earning graduates.

The small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these numbers could shift significantly with different cohorts. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 is manageable but not exceptional, and starting $5,000 below the national median matters when you're trying to launch a venture or pay down loans. For North Dakota residents who plan to start businesses in-state, the local context and network might justify the investment. But families comparing this to entrepreneurship programs nationally should recognize they're not getting top-tier outcomes, even if the debt burden stays relatively controlled. If your student is serious about entrepreneurship, explore whether programs with stronger early earnings—or lower debt—might offer a better foundation for the inherently risky path of business ownership.