Best colleges for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations by graduate earnings are Boston College ($74,446), University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($65,177) and Texas Christian University ($65,028), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA): $74,446, 48 graduates a year
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus (Seattle, WA): $65,177, 63 graduates a year
- Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX): $65,028, 50 graduates a year
- University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ): $64,211, 22 graduates a year
- Brigham Young University (Provo, UT): $64,061, 41 graduates a year
Compare 725 U.S. colleges offering Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,904 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 52.07 and the General and Operations Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs
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, small business management, or franchising, fostering innovation and risk-taking in business ventures.
Learn more about Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations →
Students will gain essential skills in administration, management, customer service, and financial oversight. Coursework typically covers topics such as entrepreneurship, small business administration, and social entrepreneurship, preparing graduates for a dynamic business environment.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,446 | 48 | 91% | $21,126 | $19,000 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,177 | 63 | 85% | — | — |
| 3 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $65,028 | 50 | 86% | $25,823 | $25,292 |
| 4 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,211 | 22 | 68% | — | $23,962 |
| 5 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,061 | 41 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 6 | Elon University Elon, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,626 | 29 | 84% | $33,688 | — |
| 7 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $59,052 | 66 | 80% | $35,682 | $19,375 |
| 8 | University of Dayton Dayton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,864 | 36 | 80% | $28,560 | $25,813 |
| 9 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,039 | 40 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,350 |
| 10 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,752 | 50 | 65% | — | $11,100 |
| 11 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,185 | 31 | 81% | — | — |
| 12 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,876 | 56 | 75% | — | $24,250 |
| 13 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,614 | 21 | 76% | $36,137 | $27,000 |
| 14 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,030 | 40 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 15 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,625 | 158 | 86% | — | $17,100 |
| 16 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,600 | 52 | 76% | $28,888 | $21,500 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,840 | 88 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 18 | Miami University - Middletown Middletown, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,731 | 21 | 32% | — | $23,350 |
| 19 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,628 | 169 | 68% | — | $14,154 |
| 20 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,374 | 48 | 75% | — | $21,500 |
| 21 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,869 | 20 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 22 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,767 | 41 | 32% | — | $25,666 |
| 23 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,366 | 54 | 68% | — | $22,500 |
| 24 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,265 | 77 | 61% | — | $19,365 |
| 25 | Suffolk University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,884 | 31 | 61% | $28,895 | $27,000 |
Top 5 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Certificate | $64,900 | 186 | 90% | — | $19,500 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Certificate | $51,635 | 21 | 85% | — | $23,063 |
| 3 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · Certificate | $46,878 | 84 | 75% | — | $26,000 |
| 4 | Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL Public · Certificate | $40,824 | 58 | 43% | — | $10,740 |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Certificate Small program | $42,545 | 8 | 49% | — | $23,397 |
Specializations within Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 52.07 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Entrepreneurship/CIP 52.0701
Entrepreneurial Studies 10,569 graduates / yr537 institutions51 states - Small Business Administration/CIP 52.0703
Management 3,318 graduates / yr201 institutions39 states - Entrepreneurial and Small Business OperationsCIP 52.0799519 graduates / yr43 institutions28 states
- Social EntrepreneurshipCIP 52.0704New in CIP 202099 graduates / yr14 institutions13 states
- Franchising and Franchise OperationsCIP 52.0702limited data18 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 52 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-1021, General and Operations Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an estimated 308,700 annual openings in related fields. The median wage for positions in this area is approximately $102,950, and a typical educational requirement is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 52.07.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 52.07 (Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-1011 | Chief Executives |
| 11-1021 | General and Operations Managersprimary |
| 11-9179 | Personal Service Managers, All Other |
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
- Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
- Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
- Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
- Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- Plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.
Common questions
What are the specializations within this program?+
Specializations include Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies, Franchising and Franchise Operations, Small Business Administration/Management, Social Entrepreneurship, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and writing, among others.
What kind of tasks will I learn to perform?+
Tasks include reviewing financial statements, coordinating business activities, and preparing staff schedules.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about 4.4% growth, with a median wage of $102,950 and approximately 308,700 annual openings.
How much do Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates earn?+
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,904, College Scorecard (2019); the General and Operations Managers occupation pays about $134,940 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations?+
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations maps to CIP 52.07 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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