Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Johnson & Wales University-Online

Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,996/yr (-31% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (447,800 openings/yr)
ROI 9.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #58 of 67 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs

Program Analysis

This online program from Johnson & Wales, a university with strong vocational roots, prepares you for the realities of launching and managing your own venture or working within smaller, local businesses. The reported earnings often reflect the common trajectory of entrepreneurship: initial years can involve significant reinvestment and lower personal income as you build your business. Many graduates might be self-employed, running local service companies, retail operations, or specialized online ventures, where compensation scales differently than in large corporate environments. The high AI risk for this field suggests that operational tasks within small business management are increasingly automated, emphasizing the need for strategic vision and adaptability. Don't expect to walk into a high-paying C-suite role immediately; those career paths often represent the successful *outcome* of years of building your own enterprise. To thrive, focus intensely on developing a unique value proposition for your business and aggressively network with other entrepreneurs and local business owners. Your success will hinge on practical application and resilience, not just the credential itself.

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 $492K $492K $462K
Earnings Multiple 9.2x 9.2x 8.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$53,460
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$86,444
-62% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,125
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,190
46% growth from Year 1

About Johnson & Wales University-Online

Johnson & Wales University-Online's 54% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,980 students in Providence, RI.

See all programs and financial aid at Johnson & Wales University-Online →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
General and operations managers $102,950/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Other Schools

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Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Johnson & Wales University-Online?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Johnson & Wales University-Online?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Johnson & Wales University-Online a good choice for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Johnson & Wales University-Online's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →