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

Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,996/yr (-31% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (447,800 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #66 of 67 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs

Program Analysis

The outcomes for this Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program present a significant challenge. These figures often reflect the inherent volatility of starting new ventures; many aspiring entrepreneurs find themselves bootstrapping for years with minimal income, or their businesses don't achieve substantial scale. Johnson & Wales, while strong in culinary and hospitality, may not possess the same deep industry connections or venture capital pipelines for broader business startups in the competitive New England market. You'll likely find many graduates launching very small, local businesses, or taking general management roles within existing small enterprises while developing their own ideas. The listed high-salary "Chief Executive" roles often represent a tiny, exceptional subset of founders who successfully scale, not the typical path. Given the high AI risk in many small business sectors, future job security also demands careful consideration. Your best strategy here is to pair your education with extensive real-world experience, networking tirelessly, and developing a robust, validated business concept *before* graduation to maximize your chances of success.

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 3.0x 3.0x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$161,632
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,912
20% 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-Providence

A 84% acceptance rate means Johnson & Wales University-Providence is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 3,913 students in Providence, RI.

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

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

Other Majors at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

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

How does Johnson & Wales University-Providence's Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations program score?
This program scores 33/100 — on the lower end for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations earnings lower at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
Lower starting pay at Johnson & Wales University-Providence may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →