Social Entrepreneurship: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Social Entrepreneurship is a dynamic field that equips individuals with the strategic tools to drive meaningful social impact through innovative, sustainable business models. This interdisciplinary program merges the principles of entrepreneurship with a commitment to addressing pressing societal challenges, empowering graduates to launch and scale mission-driven initiatives.
- Philanthropy: Explores the ethical and strategic foundations of charitable giving and nonprofit funding, emphasizing long-term sustainability and impact measurement.
- Business Modeling: Teaches the design and implementation of scalable, mission-aligned business frameworks tailored to social missions.
- Design Thinking: Applies human-centered design processes to identify community needs and develop creative, user-focused solutions.
- Entrepreneurship: Focuses on opportunity recognition, venture creation, and leadership in startup environments with social objectives.
- Finance and Investing: Covers financial planning, impact investing, and alternative funding strategies to support social ventures.
- Resource Management: Addresses the efficient allocation and stewardship of human, financial, and material resources in nonprofit and hybrid organizations.
- Project Management: Provides methodologies for planning, executing, and evaluating social initiatives with measurable outcomes.
- Prototype Development: Encourages rapid iteration and testing of ideas through physical and digital prototypes to validate concepts.
- Marketing for Social Impact: Develops strategies to communicate mission values, engage stakeholders, and build public support for social causes.
Social Entrepreneurship Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Social Entrepreneurship Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Social Entrepreneurship degrees, including Chief Executives, Managers, All Other and General and Operations Managers. 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 4,427,250 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executives 11-1011 | $206,420 | $73,710 - $239,200 | 211,850 | $99.24 |
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| General and Operations Managers 11-1021 | $102,950 | $47,420 - $239,200 | 3,584,420 | $49.50 |
Social Entrepreneurship Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $90,030 in Arkansas to $192,793 in District of Columbia—a 114% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 4,427,250 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 Social Entrepreneurship by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 10 institutions offering Social Entrepreneurship 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 Social Entrepreneurship is found at University of Vermont (UVM) (22 graduates), Rollins College (15 graduates), Loyola University Maryland (15 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (11 graduates), and Belmont University (5 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 77 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Rollins College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | rollins.edu |
| Loyola University Maryland |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | loyola.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| St. Francis College (SFC) |
Master's
|
3 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sfc.edu |
| Empire State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| The Evergreen State College |
Other Award
|
2 | Olympia, Washington | Public | evergreen.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Social Entrepreneurship programs
How much can I earn with a Social Entrepreneurship degree?
Salaries for Social Entrepreneurship graduates vary by role and location. Chief Executives earn a median of $206,420 annually, while Managers, All Other earn around $136,550. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $192,793 compared to $90,030 in Arkansas. Approximately 4,427,250 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 Social Entrepreneurship programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Social Entrepreneurship degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Vermont (UVM) (22 graduates), Rollins College (15 graduates), and Loyola University Maryland (15 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.
What career paths are available with a Social Entrepreneurship degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Chief Executives, Managers, All Other, and General and Operations Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 4,427,250 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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