Best colleges for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations in Minnesota
Ranked by graduate earnings
Minnesota State University - Mankato, University of St Thomas and Dakota County Technical College award the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees and certificates in Minnesota: 71, 52 and 14 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Minnesota colleges offer Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations and award 286 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary to create and manage small businesses effectively. It is ideal for individuals looking to pursue careers in entrepreneurship,…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,600 | 52 | 76% | $28,888 | $21,500 |
| 2 | North Central University Minneapolis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $42,327 | 2 | 66% | $23,452 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees in Minnesota
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato Public | 71 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul Private not-for-profit | 52 | $48,600 |
| 3 | Dakota County Technical College Rosemount Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 5 | Lake Superior College Duluth Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 6 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 7 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | Century College White Bear Lake Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 10 | Ridgewater College Willmar Public | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 14 Minnesota colleges offering Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis | Public | 44 |
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington | Public | 13 |
| Saint Paul College | Saint Paul | Public | 5 |
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College | Coon Rapids | Public | 4 |
| Central Lakes College - Brainerd | Brainerd | Public | 3 |
| Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights | Public | 3 |
| North Hennepin Community College | Brooklyn Park | Public | 3 |
| Minnesota North College | Hibbing | Public | 2 |
| Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minneapolis | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| North Central University | Minneapolis | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud | Public | 2 |
| Northwest Technical College | Bemidji | Public | 1 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis | Public | 1 |
| Crown College | Saint Bonifacius | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021).
Top skills
What General and Operations Managers earn in Minnesota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs in Minnesota.
Which Minnesota colleges award the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees?+
Minnesota State University - Mankato (71 graduates a year), University of St Thomas (52 graduates a year) and Dakota County Technical College (14 graduates a year) award the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees and certificates in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Minnesota colleges offer Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations.
Which Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program in Minnesota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of St Thomas tops the list at $48,600. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do General and Operations Managers earn in Minnesota?+
The average annual wage for General and Operations Managers in Minnesota is $117,330 (median $99,340), across about 72,860 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program?+
The Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary to create and manage small businesses effectively. It is ideal for individuals looking to pursue careers in entrepreneurship,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, monitoring, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for General and Operations Managers?+
The national job outlook is about +4.4% growth with around 308,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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