Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Hillsborough Community College

Tampa, FL · Public · Certificate

enrolling 19,998 students in Tampa, FL.

Program Analysis

Hillsborough Community College's Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program produces graduates earning $36,690/yr — within striking distance of the $40,209 national average for this trade.

With a 153.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,612 in median debt clears fast against $36,690 in annual earnings.

Hillsborough Community College ranks #3 among 15 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

For students considering alternatives, 3 registered apprenticeship programs align with Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
74
Low End
80
Score
82
High End
Earnings $36,690/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (50% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (447,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$384K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
153.2x
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)
$2,506
Out-of-state: $9,111
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,612
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Other Schools

Other Majors at Hillsborough Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 80/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Hillsborough Community College?
A score of 80/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Hillsborough Community College's Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI affect Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $383,859 in decade earnings vs $383,859 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Hillsborough Community College one of the best schools for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations?
Among 15 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs, Hillsborough Community College's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations?
There are 3 registered apprenticeships connected to Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates?
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 →