Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, WI · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 3,479 students in Wausau, WI.

Program Analysis

Northcentral Technical College's Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program produces graduates earning $37,587/yr — within striking distance of the $40,209 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 50.9x 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.

At #6 of 15 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs, Northcentral Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
70
Score
72
High End
Earnings $37,587/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (50% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (447,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$393K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
50.9x
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)
$7,722
Out-of-state: $11,230

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 Northcentral Technical 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 70/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Northcentral Technical College?
A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northcentral Technical 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 $393,241 in decade earnings vs $393,241 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Are there apprenticeship options for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations?
Yes — 3 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations career paths, including Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations workers?
The career paths mapped to Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations have roughly 447,800 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →