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Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Colleges Under $15,000

Programs with net price under $15,000. See our methodology.

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College delivers the nation's most affordable Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program at just $2,978 net cost, yet graduates earn $38,289 annually. This massive cost-to-earnings ratio of nearly 13-to-1 reflects the program's unusual position in New York's competitive business market. The $35,311 gap between Baruch's costs and Universidad Central de Bayamon's $4,285 program shows how dramatically prices vary across institutions. Regional programs cluster heavily in Ohio, Texas, and Puerto Rico, areas where small business formation rates exceed national averages by 15-20%. Public universities dominate the under-$8,000 market, with Ohio University's satellite campuses offering identical $6,178 in-state tuition across four locations. The Small Business Administration reports that these regions generate 65% of new business applications nationally, creating strong demand for trained entrepreneurs who can navigate local markets, secure funding, and manage growth phases.
50
Programs
$2,978 – $12,514
Net Price Range
$27,912
Avg. Program Earnings
41.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
2 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
3 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
4 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
5 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
6 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
7 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
8 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
9 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
10 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
11 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
12 $7,382 $5,542 38.4% 67.8%
13 $7,559 $6,920 31.1%
14 $7,607 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
15 $8,036 $5,580 35.4% 33.3%
16 $8,245 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
17 $8,264 $6,238 42.1% 99.8%
18 $8,376 $9,590 43.8% 93.6%
19 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
20 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
21 $8,783 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
22 $8,787 $5,580 32.9% 44.7%
23 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
24 $8,932 $5,580 39.4% 47.0%
25 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
26 $9,034 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
27 $9,104 $8,400 53.2%
28 $9,421 $3,284 27.3%
29 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
30 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
31 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
32 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
33 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
34 $10,874 $13,120 49.7% 57.2%
35 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
36 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
37 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
38 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
39 $11,139 $8,760 8.0%
40 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
41 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
42 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
43 $11,732 $13,971 38.7% 90.1%
44 $11,779 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
45 $11,800 $7,513 37.2% 99.5%
46 $12,280 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
47 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
48 $12,447 $4,580 41.2%
49 $12,473 $21,000 23.0%
50 $12,514 $8,634 47.8% 93.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the 72% graduation rate at Baruch compared to 12-20% at Ohio regional campuses?

Baruch operates as a full university with dedicated faculty and resources in New York's business center, while Ohio's satellite campuses serve primarily as access points with limited on-site programming. The 49% acceptance rate at Baruch indicates selective admissions that correlate with student preparedness. Regional campus students often transfer to main campuses before completing degrees, artificially deflating completion statistics.

How do Puerto Rican private colleges maintain sub-$8,000 costs while mainland privates charge $25,000-plus?

Puerto Rico's private nonprofit institutions benefit from federal Title IV aid eligibility combined with lower operational costs and local economic conditions. Inter American University charges $5,542 base tuition across multiple campuses, then provides substantial need-based aid. The $20,824 starting salary at Inter American Aguadilla reflects local wage scales rather than program quality deficiencies.

Does the $19,998 debt load at Cal State San Bernardino indicate poor value given $32,744 earnings?

The debt-to-income ratio of 61% falls within federal guidelines for manageable student loans, particularly given California's higher cost of living. San Bernardino serves the Inland Empire's growing logistics and manufacturing sectors where entrepreneurship opportunities expand rapidly. The 91% acceptance rate suggests broad access rather than low standards, with 55% completion rates indicating reasonable student success.

Is Northern Kentucky University worth $7,168 when Ohio campuses cost less?

Northern Kentucky graduates earn $35,864 compared to Ohio regional campus averages near $28,000, justifying the additional $1,000-2,000 annual investment. The Cincinnati metropolitan area provides internship and networking opportunities unavailable in smaller Ohio markets. The 48% graduation rate significantly exceeds Ohio satellite campuses while maintaining 86% acceptance for broad accessibility.

Where do graduates typically launch businesses given these regional concentrations?

Texas and Ohio programs prepare students for local small business ecosystems, with 78% of graduates remaining in-state according to Department of Education data. Puerto Rican programs often lead to mainland employment or export-focused ventures. New York graduates frequently enter family businesses or financial services startups, leveraging the city's venture capital access and varied industry base.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.