Best colleges for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
Middle Tennessee State University, Northeast State Community College and Belmont University award the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees and certificates in Tennessee: 29, 27 and 18 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Tennessee colleges offer Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations and award 189 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 institution, 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 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,002 | 29 | 54% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees in Tennessee
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 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 29 | $43,002 |
| 2 | Northeast State Community College Blountville Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 3 | Belmont University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 4 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 5 | Motlow State Community College Tullahoma Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 6 | Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 7 | Union University Jackson Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 8 | Lipscomb University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | South College Knoxville Private for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | Southern Adventist University Collegedale Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Tennessee colleges offering Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin | Public | 58 |
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | Public | 14 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021).
Top skills
What General and Operations Managers earn in Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees?+
Middle Tennessee State University (29 graduates a year), Northeast State Community College (27 graduates a year) and Belmont University (18 graduates a year) award the most Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degrees and certificates in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Tennessee colleges offer Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations.
Which Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Middle Tennessee State University tops the list at $43,002. 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 Tennessee?+
The average annual wage for General and Operations Managers in Tennessee is $132,520 (median $106,970), across about 63,720 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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