Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at University of St Francis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 sits in reasonable territory for a bachelor's degree, but the real question is whether entrepreneurship programs deliver practical value beyond what experience alone might teach. Based on comparable programs nationally, graduates typically start around $45,000—a solid middle-class income, but not exceptional for four years of investment. The $25,400 in estimated debt translates to roughly $280 in monthly payments over ten years, manageable on that salary but leaving less cushion than many business degrees for the typical trial-and-error phase of building a business.

What complicates the picture here is that entrepreneurial success rarely follows a linear path tied to credentials. The degree provides structure, networking, and foundational knowledge, but outcomes likely vary dramatically based on individual hustle, market timing, and access to capital—factors no program data can capture. Illinois programs in this field cluster tightly around $46,000 in first-year earnings, suggesting the starting salary is fairly consistent whether you attend University of St. Francis or elsewhere in the state.

For parents funding this degree, the practical question is whether the structured learning environment and credential justify the cost versus cheaper alternatives like community college coursework combined with real-world business experience. If your child thrives in structured environments and values the network a four-year program provides, the numbers aren't prohibitive. But if they're self-directed learners eager to start testing business ideas, that $25,000 in debt might buy more runway launching an actual venture.