Best colleges for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Duke University, East Carolina University and High Point University award the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 128, 92 and 47 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 North Carolina colleges offer Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations and award 424 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 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,626 | 29 | 84% | $33,688 | — |
| 2 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Charlotte Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,996 | 14 | 49% | $29,446 | $25,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees in North Carolina
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 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit | 128 | Not reported |
| 2 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 92 | Not reported |
| 3 | High Point University High Point Private not-for-profit | 47 | Not reported |
| 4 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit | 29 | $62,626 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public | 23 | Not reported |
| 6 | Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 7 | Pitt Community College Winterville Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 8 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Charlotte Private not-for-profit | 14 | $30,996 |
| 9 | Fayetteville State University Fayetteville Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 10 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | 9 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 8 North Carolina colleges offering Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville | Public | 9 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | Public | 8 |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Flat Rock | Public | 5 |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory | Public | 2 |
| Martin Community College | Williamston | Public | 2 |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham | Public | 1 |
| Sampson Community College | Clinton | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021).
Top skills
What General and Operations Managers earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees?+
Duke University (128 graduates a year), East Carolina University (92 graduates a year) and High Point University (47 graduates a year) award the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 North Carolina colleges offer Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations.
Which Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Elon University tops the list at $62,626. 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 North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for General and Operations Managers in North Carolina is $128,520 (median $101,950), across about 63,740 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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