Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$49,099/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk
High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (447,800 openings/yr)
ROI
3.5x earnings multiple
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $565K | $558K | $509K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.5x | 3.5x | 3.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 45% | 32% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 54 | 53 | 47 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$160,760
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,834
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,334
25% growth from Year 1
About Buena Vista University
Buena Vista University has a 72% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,378 students in Storm Lake, IA. Pell Grant recipients make up 43% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $73,284 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.
See all programs and financial aid at Buena Vista University →Top Career Paths
Chief executives
$206,420/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
General and operations managers
$102,950/yr
Compare & Explore
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Other Schools
Other Majors at Buena Vista University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Buena Vista University?
This program scores 53/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace 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 $509,125 in decade earnings vs $564,780 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Buena Vista University a hidden gem for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations?
After financial aid, the average student pays $73,284 over four years — 54% below the $160,760 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →