Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Waynesburg University
Bachelor's Degree
waynesburg.eduAnalysis
Based on comparable programs in Pennsylvania, Waynesburg's entrepreneurship degree suggests first-year earnings around $49,175 against an estimated $25,400 in debt—a reasonable 0.52 ratio that roughly matches state norms. Pennsylvania's entrepreneurship programs cluster tightly in the mid-to-high $40,000s, with even Temple and Drexel graduates starting just above $50,000. This isn't a field where prestige translates into dramatically higher starting salaries, which puts Waynesburg on more equal footing with larger competitors.
The challenge is that these estimates come from just four peer programs statewide, making it difficult to predict outcomes with confidence for this specific school. Entrepreneurship degrees inherently produce variable results—some graduates launch businesses that take years to generate income, while others enter traditional corporate roles. The debt load appears manageable compared to typical starting salaries in the field, but without actual graduate data from Waynesburg, you're essentially betting that their outcomes mirror the state pattern.
If your child is serious about business ownership rather than employment, traditional salary metrics may understate this program's value. But if they're planning to work for someone else initially, comparable Pennsylvania programs offer similar estimated outcomes, sometimes at lower net costs. Request placement data and alumni outcomes directly from Waynesburg before committing—the estimates suggest reasonable value, but you need school-specific evidence to justify choosing this program over verified alternatives.
Where Waynesburg University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all entrepreneurial and small business operations bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (21 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29,460 | $49,175* | — | $25,396* | — | |
| $22,082 | $50,876* | $65,982 | $24,250* | 0.48 | |
| $60,663 | $50,030* | $67,226 | —* | — | |
| $47,146 | $48,319* | — | —* | — | |
| $13,544 | $42,830* | — | $24,000* | 0.56 | |
| National Median | — | $45,265* | — | $24,125* | 0.53 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with entrepreneurial and small business operations graduates
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Personal Service Managers, All Other
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
Spa Managers
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Operations Managers
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 Waynesburg University, approximately 31% 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 median of 4 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.