Small Business Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and independent business leaders, this program equips learners with the strategic knowledge and practical skills needed to launch, operate, and sustain successful small enterprises. Emphasis is placed on real-world application across diverse business environments, fostering adaptability, innovation, and sound decision-making in dynamic market conditions.
- Business Administration: Core principles of organizational structure, management functions, and operational efficiency essential for effective business oversight.
- Enterprise Planning and Entrepreneurship: Methods for identifying market opportunities, developing business models, and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Start-Up Strategy: Step-by-step guidance on transforming business ideas into viable ventures, including validation, prototyping, and initial market entry.
- Small Business Operations and Problem Solving: Techniques for managing daily functions, resolving common challenges, and optimizing workflow in resource-constrained settings.
- Personnel Supervision: Best practices in hiring, team leadership, performance management, and fostering a productive workplace culture.
- Capitalization and Investment: Strategies for securing funding, managing cash flow, and making informed financial decisions to support growth.
- Taxation: Understanding federal, state, and local tax obligations, compliance requirements, and tax planning for small enterprises.
- Business Law and Regulations: Legal frameworks governing contracts, intellectual property, employment law, and industry-specific compliance standards.
- E-Commerce: Building and managing online sales platforms, digital marketing, customer engagement, and secure transaction systems.
- Home Business Operations: Specialized approaches to running a business from a residential setting, including zoning, branding, and remote workforce coordination.
- Sector-Specific Applications: Tailored instruction on managing small businesses in targeted industries, product lines, and service sectors.
Small Business Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Small Business Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Small Business Management degrees, including Managers, All Other and Personal Service Managers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 641,470 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other 11-9179 | $61,340 | $36,880 - $111,130 | 10,490 | $29.49 |
Small Business Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $59,840 in Utah to $171,910 in District of Columbia—a 187% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Delaware, and Colorado. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 641,470 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Small Business Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Small Business Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Small Business Management is found at Seminole State College of Florida (341 graduates), Irvine Valley College (IVC) (237 graduates), Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) (168 graduates), Florida State College (FSCJ), Jacksonville (112 graduates), and Miami Dade College (MDC) (106 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,848 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seminole State College of Florida |
Associate's
Other Award
|
341 | Sanford, Florida | Public | seminolestate.edu |
| Irvine Valley College (IVC) |
Residency
|
237 | Irvine, California | Public | ivc.edu |
| Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) |
Other Award
|
168 | Valley Glen, California | Public | lavc.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Other Award
|
112 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
106 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
102 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Ensign College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
86 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | ensign.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
77 | Hamilton, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Valencia College |
Other Award
|
72 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Other Award
|
60 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| Olney Central College (OCC) |
Residency
|
58 | Olney, Illinois | Public | iecc.edu |
| Rio Salado College |
Other Award
|
54 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) |
Other Award
|
52 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | paradisevalley.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
45 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | jwu.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| Washington State Community College (WSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
36 | Marietta, Ohio | Public | wscc.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Associate's
Other Award
|
35 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Other Award
|
35 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
33 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
32 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Middletown, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) |
Other Award
|
30 | New Port Richey, Florida | Public | phsc.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Other Award
|
29 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) |
Associate's
|
27 | New York, New York | Public | bmcc.cuny.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | jwu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) |
Other Award
|
23 | Thomasville, Georgia | Public | southernregional.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Other Award
|
22 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Other Award
|
22 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| Chabot College (CC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Hayward, California | Public | chabotcollege.edu |
| Clark College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
21 | Vancouver, Washington | Public | clark.edu |
| Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Belleville, Illinois | Public | swic.edu |
| Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) |
Associate's
|
20 | Hutchinson, Kansas | Public | hutchcc.edu |
| Trinidad State College (TSC) |
Other Award
|
19 | Trinidad, Colorado | Public | trinidadstate.edu |
| Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Melbourne, Florida | Public | easternflorida.edu |
| Los Medanos College (LMC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Pittsburg, California | Public | losmedanos.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
18 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | online.jwu.edu |
| Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Woodland Hills, California | Public | lapc.edu |
| Shasta College |
Other Award
|
17 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
17 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| Cosumnes River College (CRC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Sacramento, California | Public | crc.losrios.edu |
| Pensacola State College (PSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | pensacolastate.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Associate's
|
16 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| Delta College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | University Center, Michigan | Public | delta.edu |
| San Jose City College (SJCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | San Jose, California | Public | sjcc.edu |
| Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) |
Other Award
|
14 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fsw.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Other Award
|
14 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Riverside City College (RCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Riverside, California | Public | rcc.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Other Award
|
13 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| North Georgia Technical College |
Other Award
|
13 | Clarkesville, Georgia | Public | northgatech.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAFS) |
Other Award
|
12 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Public | uafs.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Palo Verde College (PVC) |
Other Award
|
12 | Blythe, California | Public | paloverde.edu |
| Eastern Arizona College (EAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Thatcher, Arizona | Public | eac.edu |
| Normandale Community College |
Other Award
|
11 | Bloomington, Minnesota | Public | normandale.edu |
| Cerritos College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| Santa Ana College (SAC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Santa Ana, California | Public | sac.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Mitchell, South Dakota | Public | mitchelltech.edu |
| Las Positas College (LPC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Livermore, California | Public | laspositascollege.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Barstow Community College (BCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Barstow, California | Public | barstow.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Other Award
|
9 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| Chaffey College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Rancho Cucamonga, California | Public | chaffey.edu |
| Merced College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Merced, California | Public | mccd.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Southwestern College (SWC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Chula Vista, California | Public | swccd.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| Oral Roberts University (ORU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | oru.edu |
| Valley College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Martinsburg, West Virginia | Private | valley.edu |
| Heartland Community College (HCC ) |
Other Award
|
9 | Normal, Illinois | Public | heartland.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| West Los Angeles College (WLAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Culver City, California | Public | wlac.edu |
| Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Residency
|
8 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| University of Scranton |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | scranton.edu |
| Folsom Lake College (FLC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Folsom, California | Public | flc.losrios.edu |
| North Arkansas College (Northark) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Harrison, Arkansas | Public | northark.edu |
| Cuyamaca College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
| San Diego Miramar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmiramar.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Other Award
|
7 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| Yuba College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Marysville, California | Public | yc.yccd.edu |
| Community College of Denver (CCD) |
Associate's
|
7 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ccd.edu |
| State College of Florida (SCF) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Bradenton, Florida | Public | scf.edu |
| Columbus Technical College (Columbus Tech) |
Other Award
|
7 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbustech.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) |
Other Award
|
7 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Public | pfw.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| Miles Community College |
Associate's
|
7 | Miles City, Montana | Public | milescc.edu |
| Manchester Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Public | mccnh.edu |
| Dakota College (DCB) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Bottineau, North Dakota | Public | dakotacollege.edu |
| Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Sandersville, Georgia | Public | oftc.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Small Business Management programs
How much can I earn with a Small Business Management degree?
Salaries for Small Business Management graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Personal Service Managers, All Other earn around $61,340. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $171,910 compared to $59,840 in Utah. Approximately 641,470 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Small Business Management programs?
Currently 196 accredited institutions offer Small Business Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Seminole State College of Florida (341 graduates), Irvine Valley College (IVC) (237 graduates), and Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) (168 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Small Business Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 719 in 2010 to 3,118 in 2023-24. This represents a 334% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Small Business Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Personal Service Managers, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 641,470 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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