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Cheapest Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College stands apart with a net cost of just $2,978 while delivering the highest earnings potential at $38,289 for entrepreneurial studies graduates. This dramatic contrast reveals how public institutions can provide strong value in business education. The program benefits from New York City's dense startup ecosystem, where over 7,000 new businesses launch annually and small enterprises employ nearly 2 million workers across the metropolitan area. Meanwhile, several Ohio University regional campuses offer programs under $6,500, though their graduation rates hover between 12-20%. Puerto Rican institutions like Universidad Central de Bayamón provide affordable private education at $4,285 net cost. The earnings range spans from $20,824 to $38,289, reflecting regional economic differences and program quality variations. California State University-San Bernardino graduates earn $32,744 with manageable debt of $19,998, positioning students well in California's entrepreneurial market where small businesses generate over $700 billion in annual revenue.
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 makes CUNY Baruch's program worth nearly $35,000 more in earnings than other affordable options?

Baruch graduates earn $38,289 compared to $20,824 at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla, despite similar net costs under $5,000. The college maintains a 72.10% graduation rate and selective 49.53% acceptance rate. Students gain direct access to Manhattan's business networks, internships at Fortune 500 companies, and venture capital firms that fund over $14 billion annually in New York startups.

How do Ohio University's regional campuses compare for entrepreneurship education value?

Five Ohio University campuses offer entrepreneurship programs between $4,503 and $6,483 net cost, but graduation rates remain concerning at 12-20%. Eastern Campus shows the highest completion rate at 20.00% for $4,503. These campuses serve rural Ohio communities where small businesses employ 1.1 million people, providing local internship and networking opportunities despite lower graduation statistics.

Is attending a Puerto Rican institution worth considering for mainland students?

Three Puerto Rican universities offer programs under $8,100 with graduation rates between 31-39%. Universidad Central de Bayamón costs just $4,285 with a 37.90% graduation rate. These programs provide bilingual business education valuable in markets with growing Hispanic populations, plus potential networking in Caribbean trade relationships worth over $50 billion annually.

Does California State University-San Bernardino offer good debt management for entrepreneurs?

Cal State San Bernardino graduates carry average debt of $19,998 while earning $32,744, creating a manageable 61% debt-to-income ratio. The 54.70% graduation rate exceeds many affordable alternatives. Students access California's $3.2 trillion economy and Silicon Valley connections, with the Inland Empire region hosting over 120,000 small businesses requiring entrepreneurial talent.

Where can students find the best combination of affordability and career outcomes?

CUNY Baruch delivers the strongest return on investment with $2,978 net cost and $38,289 earnings, followed by Northern Kentucky University at $7,168 cost producing $35,864 income. Both programs exceed 48% graduation rates. Texas and California options provide regional opportunities, while Ohio campuses offer rock-bottom pricing but require careful consideration of completion rates below 21%.

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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.