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Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Delta College

University Center, MI · Public · Associate Degree

serving 6,061 students in University Center, MI.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,707/yr fall 34% below the $40,209 national median for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 30.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations's career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #15 of 15 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs, Delta College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

There are 3 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, including Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer (median $136,550/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
57
Score
59
High End
Earnings $26,707/yr (-34% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (50% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (447,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$279K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
5 of 5
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,280
Out-of-state: $15,100

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
General and operations managers $102,950 +4.4% 52%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
General and operations managers
$102,950
+4.4% growth 52% AI-proof

View all 5 career paths with full salary data →

About Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Careers

You’re the person who makes a business run. As a general or operations manager, your day is a dynamic mix of problem-solving and planning. One moment you're in QuickBooks analyzing cash flow, the next you're on the shop floor coordinating staff, and then you're on the phone negotiating with a supplier. You might start by managing a single department or assisting a senior manager. With experience, you'll gain the autonomy to run an entire location or business unit. The ultimate goal for many is to apply these skills to launch their own venture, becoming the chief executive who sets the vision and reaps the rewards.

Read the full Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations career guide →

Compare & Explore

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Overview

View all 15 schools offering Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations →

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Other Schools

University of Georgia ($64,900) University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ($51,635) University of Iowa ($46,878) University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ($42,545) Daytona State College ($40,824) Temple University ($38,031) Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee ($37,636) Interactive College of Technology-Morrow ($37,636)

Other Majors at Delta College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($67,922) Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants ($54,108) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($52,791) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($44,637) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($36,828) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($35,224) Precision Metal Working ($34,112) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($33,957)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Delta College?
At 57/100, the score looks reasonable — but Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can you still earn well with Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from Delta College?
Lower starting pay at Delta College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates?
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations connects to 3 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations workers?
With approximately 447,800 annual openings across mapped careers, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →