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Best Value Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College delivers the nation's most affordable entrepreneurial education at just $2,978 net cost while producing graduates earning $38,289 annually. This remarkable value proposition reflects New York City's position as America's startup capital, where 73% of new businesses survive their first year compared to 69% nationally. The $23,594 gap between Baruch's minimal cost and University of Washington's $13,485 net price shows how geography shapes educational economics. Washington graduates command $73,321 in earnings, nearly double Baruch's figure, yet both schools maintain competitive acceptance rates near 48-50%. Small business operations graduates enter a field where 99.9% of American companies employ fewer than 500 people, creating massive demand for entrepreneurial talent. Regional differences matter significantly in this major, as Silicon Valley proximity helps explain why programs cost more but often generate higher returns through local startup ecosystems and venture capital connections.
50
Programs
$2,978 – $36,803
Net Price Range
$40,137
Avg. Program Earnings
61.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,978 $38,289 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
2 $5,918 $32,744 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
3 $13,485 $73,321 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
4 $7,168 $35,864 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
5 $14,401 $52,107 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
6 $10,011 $33,993 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
7 $15,960 $52,107 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
8 $16,381 $50,856 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
9 $10,170 $31,314 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
10 $14,487 $42,682 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
11 $11,234 $32,569 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
12 $13,741 $39,369 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
13 $10,043 $28,598 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
14 $11,429 $32,119 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
15 $13,670 $38,289 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
16 $8,787 $24,421 $5,580 32.9% 44.7%
17 $26,572 $73,769 $68,230 95.9% 5.1%
18 $7,607 $20,824 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
19 $16,378 $44,384 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
20 $14,352 $38,289 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
21 $13,181 $34,847 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
22 $14,485 $38,289 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
23 $16,972 $42,123 $5,786 48.1% 67.9%
24 $13,776 $33,993 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
25 $13,853 $33,993 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
26 $16,041 $39,214 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
27 $17,084 $41,025 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
28 $17,460 $41,565 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
29 $12,599 $29,685 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
30 $17,883 $41,205 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
31 $22,185 $49,683 $15,700 68.3% 76.9%
32 $29,237 $63,005 $48,700 80.1% 87.2%
33 $19,614 $41,565 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
34 $21,318 $44,776 $55,220 62.8% 93.8%
35 $25,287 $52,107 $38,900 63.3% 84.1%
36 $18,219 $37,424 $9,299 59.6% 86.1%
37 $18,321 $35,416 $40,190 47.3% 77.3%
38 $17,502 $31,848 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
39 $30,525 $50,287 $52,284 75.2% 77.0%
40 $18,998 $31,133 $10,951 63.3% 83.3%
41 $36,803 $58,673 $59,926 84.2% 18.9%
42 $20,860 $32,925 $18,890 78.6% 59.8%
43 $22,024 $34,526 $6,170 83.3% 52.8%
44 $21,034 $32,925 $43,160 67.7% 96.8%
45 $8,783 $13,702 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
46 $21,931 $33,993 $17,450 43.0% 77.9%
47 $30,031 $46,380 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
48 $31,236 $45,696 $47,600 81.5% 74.1%
49 $29,219 $42,682 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
50 $25,321 $36,279 $13,160 8.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $70,000 gap between the highest and lowest net costs among top programs?

University of Washington charges $13,485 net compared to CUNY Baruch's $2,978, primarily due to regional economic factors and state funding differences. Washington State's higher cost of living drives up operational expenses, while New York's CUNY system receives substantial state subsidies for in-state students. Private schools like Trinity Christian College at $16,381 net cost fall between these extremes. Geographic location directly impacts both program costs and graduate earning potential in entrepreneurship.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in entrepreneurial studies?

Higher-cost programs generally show stronger completion rates, with University of Washington achieving 83.7% graduation at $13,485 net cost versus Lamar University's 37.2% rate at $11,429. Brigham Young University breaks this pattern, delivering 82.2% graduation rates while charging just $14,487 net cost. The correlation isn't perfect, as CUNY Baruch maintains a solid 72.1% graduation rate despite its $2,978 price point. Resource availability and student support services often explain these differences more than raw tuition costs.

Does geographic location significantly impact earnings for entrepreneurship graduates?

Regional markets create substantial earning variations, with University of Washington graduates averaging $73,321 in Seattle's tech-heavy economy compared to $28,598 for University of South Florida graduates in Tampa. California State University-San Bernardino produces graduates earning $32,744, reflecting the broader California entrepreneurial ecosystem despite the inland location. East Coast programs like CUNY Baruch generate $38,289 average earnings, benefiting from New York's financial and startup sectors. Local industry concentration and cost of living both influence these geographic differences.

What makes some entrepreneurship programs more selective than others?

Acceptance rates range from University of Washington's competitive 47.52% to Northern Kentucky University's open 86.01%, reflecting institutional positioning rather than program quality alone. CUNY Baruch accepts 49.53% of applicants despite offering strong value, indicating strong demand for affordable entrepreneurial education in New York. University of South Florida maintains 43.93% acceptance while charging only $10,043 net cost, suggesting geographic desirability in Florida's growing business climate. Selectivity often correlates more with overall university reputation than specific entrepreneurship program strength.

Where do students find the best return on investment for entrepreneurship degrees?

CUNY Baruch College offers the strongest ROI with $2,978 net cost producing $38,289 average earnings, creating a 12.9-to-1 earnings multiple. University of Washington provides the highest absolute earnings at $73,321 but costs $13,485, yielding a 5.4-to-1 return ratio. Brigham Young University delivers solid middle ground with $42,682 earnings against $14,487 costs for a 2.9-to-1 ratio. Students should weigh immediate affordability against long-term earning potential based on their target geographic markets and career goals.

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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.