Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,682/yr (-47% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (447,800 openings/yr)
ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #63 of 67 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs

Program Analysis

This program's outcomes reflect the challenging realities of launching or operating small businesses, especially in a regional market like Huntsville. Many graduates find themselves either starting ventures with highly variable initial income or taking generalist roles in local small businesses where salary growth can be limited. The "entrepreneurial" focus means your earnings depend heavily on your venture's success, which often takes years to stabilize, if it does at all. The listed management roles are often aspirational; entry-level positions in this field rarely command high salaries, and advancement requires significant experience and a robust local economy. Furthermore, many operational tasks are increasingly susceptible to AI automation, adding pressure to these roles. To succeed, you'll need to aggressively network, build practical skills beyond the curriculum, and develop a strong, validated business plan before relying on your degree for immediate financial returns.

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 $384K $394K $391K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.4x 10.7x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 5.2x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,912
Out-of-state: $76,080 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,100
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
13.2 months of Year 1 earnings

About Sam Houston State University

A 85% acceptance rate means Sam Houston State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 18,138 students in Huntsville, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Sam Houston State University →

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 Sam Houston State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Sam Houston State University?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Sam Houston State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,000 against $23,682/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $391,085 in decade earnings vs $383,549 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from Sam Houston State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →