Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operationsat Sam Houston State University
Graduates earn $23,682/yr in their first year — about 47.0% below the national Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations average. Base-case 10-year earnings $394K; scenarios range from $391K to $384K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Sam Houston State University
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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Sam Houston State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
How Sam Houston State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Sam Houston State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Sam Houston State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Sam Houston State University
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.