Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Clarkson University

Potsdam, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,753/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (447,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #56 of 67 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs

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 $592K $583K $527K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$231,800
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,820
45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,513
63% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $37,753/yr fall 16% below the $44,903 national median for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $37,753 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #56 of 67 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations programs, Clarkson University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $61,513 show a 63% jump from the $37,753 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Clarkson University

Clarkson University has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 2,449 in Potsdam, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,820 over four years — 45% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Clarkson 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

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Clarkson University?
A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $527,135 in decade earnings vs $592,431 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from Clarkson 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 →