Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degree) at Utah Tech University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$45,265

Est. from national median (67 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,350

Est. from national median (29 programs)

Analysis

At around $23,000 in debt with first-year earnings near $45,000, this entrepreneurship degree appears financially manageable based on comparable bachelor's programs nationwide. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 suggests graduates could reasonably pay off loans while establishing themselves professionally. However, the estimate sits well below what entrepreneurship graduates typically earn elsewhere in Utah—peer programs in the state report median earnings around $62,000, with both BYU and Utah Valley producing graduates earning over $60,000 in their first year.

That $17,000 gap matters significantly for an aspiring business owner. Higher earnings provide more capital to invest in a startup, better cushion against entrepreneurial risk, and faster debt payoff if the venture route doesn't pan out immediately. Since these figures come from similar programs rather than Utah Tech's actual graduate outcomes, it's worth investigating what accounts for the state-level difference—whether it's employer density in Saint George versus Salt Lake City, differences in curriculum focus, or simply that this program serves students with different career trajectories than its in-state competitors.

The bottom line: The debt load is reasonable, but if your child is choosing Utah Tech primarily for entrepreneurship preparation, understand that comparable programs in Utah appear to produce substantially stronger early earnings outcomes. That difference could meaningfully affect their ability to launch or sustain a business venture right out of college.

Where Utah Tech University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Utah

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Utah (6 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Utah Tech UniversitySaint George	$6,074	$45,265*	—	$23,350*	—
Brigham Young UniversityProvo	$6,496	$64,061*	$58,082	—*	—
Utah Valley UniversityOrem	$6,270	$60,448*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$45,265*	—	$24,125*	0.53

* 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 Utah Tech University, approximately 22% 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 67 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.