Business Operations Support at Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

with a mid-sized student body of 11,797 in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

Tidewater Community College Business Operations Support graduates command $35,687/yr out of the gate, well above the $26,180 national median. That 36% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 34.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 67% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business Operations Support graduates.

The $20,823 debt-to-$35,687 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #17 out of 155 programs, Tidewater Community College's Business Operations Support program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business Operations Support, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
62
Score
65
High End
Earnings $35,687/yr (36% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (33% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,381,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$36K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
35.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 18
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,428
Out-of-state: $23,434
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,823
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,092
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business Operations Support graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Business operations specialists, all other $81,270 +3.0% 48%
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants $74,260 -1.6% 35%
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers $66,140 -0.3% 51%
Business operations specialists, all other
$81,270
+3.0% growth 48% AI-proof
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
$74,260
-1.6% growth 35% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
$66,140
-0.3% growth 51% AI-proof

View all 18 career paths with full salary data →

About Business Operations Support Careers

Your career will likely begin at the heart of a company’s daily functions. You might start as a customer service representative, using a headset and CRM software to resolve client issues, or as an office clerk, managing team schedules, processing invoices in QuickBooks, and ensuring the office runs smoothly. These roles are the engine room of any business.

Read the full Business Operations Support career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Operations Support Overview

Business Operations Support at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tidewater 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business Operations Support at Tidewater Community College?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Business Operations Support graduates.
How vulnerable is Business Operations Support to AI automation?
With 67% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $373,363 in decade earnings vs $409,111 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Tidewater Community College one of the best schools for Business Operations Support?
Ranked #17 of 155 programs nationally, Tidewater Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Operations Support graduates?
Business Operations Support connects to 17 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 Business Operations Support workers?
The career paths mapped to Business Operations Support have roughly 1,381,100 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 →