Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI · Public · Certificate

With 88% of applicants admitted, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee prioritizes broad access, serving 16,762 students in Milwaukee, WI.

Program Analysis

At $42,545 per year, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee earn slightly above the $40,209 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 44.4x 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.

The median debt load of $20,518 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #5 ranking among 15 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs places University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
71
Score
73
High End
Earnings $42,545/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (50% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (447,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$445K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.4x
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)
$10,020
Out-of-state: $22,020
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,518
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 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 71/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
At 71/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $445,113 in decade earnings vs $445,113 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates?
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.
How many job openings are there for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates?
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 →