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Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

CUNY Baruch College stands out dramatically in entrepreneurial education with a net cost of just $2,978 and graduates earning $38,289 annually, creating an earnings-to-cost ratio that few programs can match. The 20 most affordable entrepreneurial programs nationwide span from $2,978 to $8,463, with public institutions generally offering lower costs but showing significant variation in graduation rates from 12.1% to 72.1%. Small business ownership continues growing across America, with 33.2 million small businesses employing 61.7 million workers, making entrepreneurial education increasingly relevant for career flexibility. California State University-San Bernardino demonstrates solid value at $5,918 net cost with 54.7% graduation rates, while several Ohio University regional campuses offer ultra-low costs under $6,500 but struggle with completion rates below 20%. The stark contrast between Baruch's 49.53% acceptance rate and 72.1% graduation rate versus some regional campuses accepting most applicants but graduating fewer than one in five students reveals how selectivity often correlates with student success in entrepreneurial programs.
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 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
20 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
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 makes CUNY Baruch College such an strong value for entrepreneurship students?

Baruch College charges just $2,978 net cost while graduates earn $38,289 annually, creating a 12.9-to-1 earnings ratio that outperforms most business programs. The school maintains a 72.1% graduation rate despite accepting 49.53% of applicants, indicating strong academic support systems. Located in New York City, students gain access to one of the world's largest entrepreneurial ecosystems with abundant internship and networking opportunities.

How do public and private costs compare in affordable entrepreneurship programs?

Public institutions dominate the most affordable options, with 11 of the 15 lowest-cost programs being public schools. CUNY Baruch leads at $2,978, while most Ohio University regional campuses cluster between $4,503 and $6,483. Private nonprofit schools like Universidad Central de Bayamon offer competitive pricing at $4,285, but generally cost more than comparable public options.

Is there a connection between program cost and graduation rates in these schools?

The data reveals mixed patterns, with some ultra-low-cost programs showing concerning graduation rates below 20% at several Ohio University campuses. However, CUNY Baruch proves low cost doesn't mean low quality with its 72.1% graduation rate at $2,978. California State University-San Bernardino achieves 54.7% graduation rates at $5,918, suggesting that institutional support matters more than price alone.

What earnings can graduates expect from these affordable entrepreneurship programs?

Graduate earnings range from $20,824 to $38,289 among schools reporting salary data, with CUNY Baruch leading at $38,289 annually. Northern Kentucky University graduates earn $35,864 with a net cost of $7,168, while California State University-San Bernardino graduates earn $32,744 at $5,918 net cost. Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla shows the lowest reported earnings at $20,824 but also charges just $7,607.

Where are these affordable entrepreneurship programs concentrated geographically?

Ohio dominates with five regional campus options, all under $6,500, though graduation rates vary significantly from 12.1% to 20%. Puerto Rico offers four programs through the Inter American University system, with costs ranging from $7,382 to $8,036. Texas provides two options including Texas Southmost College at $5,458 and UT Rio Grande Valley at $6,500, both serving the growing Hispanic entrepreneurial community along the border.

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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.