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What is Entrepreneurship?

An entrepreneurship degree is a field of study emphasizing the processes and activities associated with designing, launching, and operating a business.  An entrepreneur is an individual who possesses the grit and capacity to organize, develop, and manage resources of a business.  Entrepreneurs also must analyze the internal and external risks of a business concern in order to consistently generate a profit.

According to the BLS, entrepreneurship is a vital role in the growth of the United States economy.  In fact, the SBE estimates that some 25 million jobs exist from companies with twenty or fewer employees in the United States.  Thus, making entrepreneurship a critical cog in the growth of our economy.

In a traditional sense, an entrepreneur is associated with managing capital and resources in a prudent fashion to leverage business opportunities and market inefficiencies.  In modern times, business-minded visionaries are often associated with being cultural icons and market-makers.  To determine if earning an entrepreneurship degree is right for you by diving deeper into degree programs, education requirements, job outlook, and resources for entrepreneurs.

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Entrepreneurship Degree

Brown University (Providence, RI) is a private Ivy League research university and the seventh oldest university in the United States. The university boasts its Brown Curriculum which gives the students the freedom to design their syllabus. Undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to help students to grow and develop. Education, social studies, and interdisciplinary studies are just some of the popular programs the university offers. A certificate in entrepreneurship is offered to interested students and professionals. This program provides lessons on the basic building blocks of the entrepreneurial process. The university also offers a Master's Program in Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship (PRIME). This is designed based from the School of Engineering, thus, it is particularly for STEM professionals. 

Acceptance Rate

7.07

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) is a globally-recognized university because of the quality of education it provides. Penn fosters an interdisciplinary approach across four undergraduate schools and twelve graduate and professional schools. Penn has a wide variety of academic programs for students to choose from. Entrepreneurship & Innovation MBA major that provides courses that develop essential skills. The program prepares professionals for a career advancement. This program under the Wharton School offers a variety of opportunities to interested students. The university offers tons of educational opportunities including international programs, and study grants. The university also ranked as one of the top 10 most selective schools in the United States. 

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Duke University (Durham, NC) is a private research university that offers a wide range of programs for students. The university has a popular engineering program and several interdisciplinary majors under the arts and sciences. Certification programs are also offered at the university. Innovation & Entrepreneurship grants both undergraduate, and professional and graduate certificates. An Art Entrepreneurship program is also offered to students who are interested in different forms of art. Duke University’s vision of education is guided by the teachings of the United Methodist. The university has an international exposure through its two concurrent campuses in Asia, located in Singapore and China. 

Acceptance Rate

7.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Washington University in St Louis (Saint Louis, MO) is a private research university founded in 1853 and named after George Washington. The university is among the top 50 universities in the world for its undergraduate programs according to World Report rankings. Some of the popular programs offered by WUSL are in business and management, the legal profession, health and clinical studies, and psychology. The Olin Business School offers Entrepreneurship in both undergraduate and graduate levels. BSBA and MBA students can take this discipline as a major. Olin also offers undergraduates an opportunity to join the Israel Summer Business Academy. It is a seven-week immersion focused on venture capital and entrepreneurship

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

 Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) is a well-recognized private university in the United States. The university values academic excellence and consistently ranks as one of the best undergraduate programs in the country. Some of the commonly awarded undergraduate programs are in economics, journalism, communication studies, psychology, and political science. The school is also recognized internationally for the quality of education and research activities according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities. The Kellogg School of Management offers Entrepreneurship, Growth & Scaling and Corporate Innovation focused programs. The school provides a graduate level of education to interested professionals. The Entrepreneurship degree pathway is for students who aim to launch a start-up. Strategy, finance, organizations, and marketing courses are provided. 

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA) is a private higher education institution that offers a variety of program options, giving the students more areas of study to choose from. The university is considered as one of the “New Ivies”. It is the counterpart of the traditional and original members of the Ivy League.  Carnegie Mellon is considered an international university. It has degree-granting locations around the world, campuses in Qatar and Silicon Valley, and more than 20 research partnerships. The Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship offers Entrepreneurship courses and programs through the Donald H. Jones Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. It offers Innovation and Entrepreneurship undergraduate minor and an MBA program in Entrepreneurship. 

Acceptance Rate

15.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI) is the oldest public research university in the state. The school offers a diverse set of programs across thirteen undergraduate and eighteen graduate schools and colleges. The University of Michigan is recognized as one of the best public universities worldwide. The school is also one of the highly active research universities in the United States. The College of Engineering manages the Center for Entrepreneurship. The center offers a variety of Entrepreneurship-related courses, from the fundamentals, designs to more advanced. The university is also known for its esteemed faculty line-up and known alumni.   

Acceptance Rate

22.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA) boasts an undergraduate curriculum that ranks among the best in the United States. The school maintains a tradition of excellence in education, which traces its mandate to its Jesuit origins. Boston College offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through its eight colleges and schools. Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) is an undergraduate minor. The program is offered to all students who are interested to know the fundamentals of the discipline. A top rated entrepreneurship degree is also offered as an MBA concentration. This major will train students to be successful with their startups or projects in general. 

Acceptance Rate

27.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Northeastern University (Boston, MA) is a private university known for its educational approach. NEU focuses on providing interdisciplinary programs and experiential learning to students. The university offers cooperative education programs, encourages student research activities, and gives global learning opportunities. A wide range of disciplines is taught by experienced faculty. NEU has on-campus and online learning opportunities. D’Amore-McKim School of Business offers several Bachelor of Science programs and for every program students must choose a specialization. Included to the choice of concentration are some entrepreneurship courses. Entrepreneurship is also one of the majors under the MBA program. 

Acceptance Rate

18.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Pepperdine University (Malibu, CA) is a private university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Among the university’s schools and colleges in the Graziadio Business School. It has been recognized as one of the best in the world for its MBA programs. Entrepreneurship is an MBA concentration. The program can be taken as a 15 or a 20-week program. The program helps students to turn their creativity, into a real business venture. Courses offered in Pepperdine are accessible in several parts of the United States and across the world. The university has satellite schools in Southern California, Argentina, China, and several parts of Europe. It has a list of alumni that are recognized and award-winning in their respective fields. 

Acceptance Rate

31.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) is the flagship university of the state. UF is considered a “Public Ivy” and one of the most prestigious higher educational institutions in FL. UF has a wide range of academic programs and highly active research initiatives. The university has been consistently ranking as one of the best universities in the United States and the world. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center offers courses, degree programs and complementary activities to educate and inspire students to live entrepreneurial lives. An undergraduate minor in Entrepreneurship and graduate programs are offered to interested students. The application in the university is considered highly competitive. 

Acceptance Rate

36.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) is a private research university providing programs that are designed to teach students new knowledge that can be beneficial for their future careers. UM has 12 colleges and schools that manage a variety of courses in psychology, law, social sciences, business, and marketing, etc. UM opportunities for continuing and international education and a program in executive education as part of its school of business administration. UM has an entrepreneurial environment, building a startup ecosystem for its students. Entrepreneurship at UM fosters a BBA and a BSBA curriculum. The program is designed for students who want to manage and have a successful small business.

Acceptance Rate

27.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL) is a public research university that offers a student-centered education. The university offers it academic programs across regional campuses and academic centers. The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is the first stand-alone college dedicated for entrepreneurship programs at a public university. The college offers seven entrepreneurship minor programs and three major programs: commercial entrepreneurship, retail entrepreneurship, or STEM entrepreneurship. Graduate level opportunities are also offered. 

Acceptance Rate

35.97

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

University of Georgia (Athens, GA) offers a wide range of programs offered from humanities, communications, sciences, education, law, up to health and medicine. UGA extends its academic excellence to other parts of the country and several locations around the globe. The university also fosters an active research environment helping students to develop intellectually and professionally. UGA grants undergraduate and graduate certificates in Entrepreneurship. The MBA program also offers Entrepreneurship as a program concentration. The program also provides students with experiential learning opportunities. 

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

George Washington University (Washington, DC) provides opportunities for students to work alongside leaders of politics, science, law and many other disciplines. The university is divided into three campuses. Each campus offers a wide range of academic programs students can choose from. The Bachelor of Science in Business program offers Innovation and Entrepreneurship degree concentration. The major will allow students to learn skills that will help them to start, manage and grow a new and/or existing business. Students can also have the option to study on-campus or through the university’s online learning facility, available for some courses.  

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

SUNY at Binghamton (Vestal, NY) is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The university fosters a liberal arts curriculum allowing students to explore more areas of study. It has comprehensive academic programs and it is also active in research works. The university is a great environment for entrepreneurs. The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships can help or assist students to connect with industry partners like STARTUP NY. 

Acceptance Rate

40.53

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) is a public research university offering a range of high-ranking degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate levels. Among the top programs in SU are information studies and library science, architecture, communications, business administration, and engineering. SU’s School of Management has been recognized as one of the top 100 business schools in the United States. It offers degree programs in entrepreneurship through the Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises department. Undergraduate and graduate programs are offered. Since 1911, the university has been offering study abroad programs for students to gain a global perspective for a variety of academic disciplines. SU has a long list of notable faculty and alumni. 

Acceptance Rate

44.38

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY) is a private university considered as one of the oldest technological universities in the world. The institution is recognized for its degree programs in engineering, computing, business and management, information technology, the sciences, design, and liberal arts. Lally School of Management offers M.S. in Technology Commercialization & Entrepreneurship program. This prepares students to assume careers in technology transfer, technology start-ups, new product development and others. The program also fosters an innovative and interdisciplinary curriculum. ROTC, cooperative programs, and domestic and international exchange programs are also offered in RPI allowing students to continue learning outside the classroom. RPI is also highly active when it comes to research initiatives, especially in science and technology. 

Acceptance Rate

47.41

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

American University (Washington, DC) is a private research university offering a wide range of programs across eight schools and colleges. The school offers about 160 programs from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. The Kogod School of Business manages a wide range of academic programs for students to choose from. A Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship is offered at the school. It is open for students who already earned a bachelor's degree. The program is designed for students who aim to launch or grow a business. The United Methodist affiliation of AU is a great contributor to its history, education, and curriculum. AU’s study abroad program is among the top 10 in the country. The university offers premier programs to partner schools and universities across the globe. 

Acceptance Rate

36.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX) is a private Christian university that fosters a liberal arts curriculum. The university also has a highly active research program. Nursing and Education are some of the popular majors in TCU. Many students also choose to take double majors. The Neeley School of Business manages the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. It houses highly recognized entrepreneurship programs. The institute provides a wide range of opportunities to budding entrepreneurs. They allow students to be exposed locally and internationally. 

Acceptance Rate

47.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

University of Washington - Seattle Campus (Seattle, WA) is a premier public research university and considered one of the oldest universities on the West Coast. The university is recognized as a “Public Ivy”. UW has competitive academic programs for undergraduate and graduate levels across various fields of study. The Arthur W. Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship offers a wide range of entrepreneurship-centered programs. Certificate programs are also offered to interested students. The center now offers a 12-month Master of Science in Entrepreneurship program. Courses on entrepreneurial strategy, finance, and marketing are provided as well as electives on Venture Investing, Software Entrepreneurship, Biomedical Entrepreneurship, and others. Several programs are designed to assist and help nearby local communities outside the university. UW is also a leading university in research. 

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX) is a non-sectarian private university. SMU has been nationally ranked as a comprehensive research university. The school is recognized for its academic excellence and research programs. The university has programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across eight schools. The Cox School of Business manages the Caruth Institute of Entrepreneurship. The center allows new entrepreneurs to meet with potential investors through a variety of events. It also offers certificate programs that help aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their knowledge and skills. 

Acceptance Rate

47.29

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus (Pittsburgh, PA) is a public university that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a variety of disciplines. The university is also recognized across the United States as a top educational institution for its academic and research programs. Pitt Business fosters an innovative and entrepreneurial culture. A certificate program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is offered at the university. The program is for students who aim to start and build a business or drive innovation inside a traditional organization. The school offers both on-campus and online learning modes.

Acceptance Rate

56.65

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Baylor University (Waco, TX) is a private Baptist university offering undergraduate and graduate programs including doctoral and professional degrees. Programs in the sciences and education are commonly ranked across the country. Baylor is recognized as one of the “Best Colleges” in the United States. Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation is offered as a major that leads to a Bachelor of Business Administration. Entrepreneurship is also offered as a business minor. Baylor Entrepreneurship ranks among the top programs in the country according to several notable publications. There are plenty of student organizations, an active Greek community, and athletic opportunities for students in Baylor. 

Acceptance Rate

45.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Texas A & M University (College Station, TX) is a public research university that focuses on agriculture, environmental and marine sciences, and alike. The university has a long list of undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate programs. Entrepreneurship is offered as an undergraduate minor. The College of Engineering also offers an Engineering Entrepreneurship Program. Certificates are awarded and non-degree training programs are also offered. Texas A & M also manages campuses in Galveston and Qatar. A & M is also highly recognized for being a highly active research university boasting world-class research facilities and strong student and faculty researchers.

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Top Entrepreneurship Degrees

Earning a college business degree in entrepreneurship will help students understand, analyze, and assess business opportunities. In addition to the core analysis skills, students will also learn essential business acumen to operate a thriving business or start-up.Business degree programsthat you can earn in this field of study are vast. From undergraduate degrees through graduate programs, a range of degree types exist to select.

Students have the opportunity to earn entrepreneurship degrees online or in a traditional classroom setting. In a real sense, the advent of distance learning degrees has nearly doubled the tracks available to students. Online learning has unique aspects of access, flexibility, strategic planning process, and independence that may work well for one student over another student. To help you make the most of your college research, we have summarized the degree programs below in one convenient location.

Associate Degrees in Entrepreneurship

Online associate entrepreneurship degrees can be found in most course catalogs as an Associate of Arts (AA) degree. Associate degrees are designed to be completed in 2-years of full-time work. Part-time students will take longer as a function of course load and the program requirements. AA degrees in business management will fuse liberal arts classes with core business classes. By combining both, students are provided a more holistic education with a set of integrative thinking skills.

Liberal arts classes may include history, communications, statistics, philosophy, psychology, and sociology. On the other hand, core classes will provide students with classes such as economics, finance, business, law, organizational behavior, communications, logistics, and technology. Students earning an AA will be equipped to begin a career in business or move on to a qualifying bachelor entrepreneurial degree program in the field.

Bachelor Online Entrepreneurship Degree

An in-class or online bachelor degree can be conferred as either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS). How a degree is conferred depends on the curricular emphasis of the program and weight on programs. An online bachelor degree will typically take 4-years of full-time study to complete. Akin to the structure of an associates degree, the bachelor degree melds general education courses with core classes. However, bachelor degrees are broader and provide deeper insights when compared to lower-level degree programs and certificate tracks.

Examples of core classes you will typically find in a bachelors business entrepreneurship degree program include the following:

  • Management and Leadership
  • Business Statistics
  • Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Business Entrepreneurship
  • Operations
  • Microeconomics
  • Human Resource Management
  • Marketing & Advertising
  • Financial Management
  • Strategic Business Management
  • Information Systems

Master Degrees in Entrepreneurship

Masters degrees in business management can be earned online or in class. Online entrepreneurship degree courses can be conferred as a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), or a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Programs prepare students to manage large and small businesses ranging from non-profit organizations to small, private start-ups to large public corporations. Some schools allow students to create a degree path with varied classes approved by an academic advisor while others have a set curriculum.

Upper-level classes in entrepreneurship may include a variety of classes to prepare students for a fruitful career after graduation. Classes may include courses such as: leadership, managing others, managing change, organizational design, resolving conflict, data management, statistical analysis, innovation, data analytics, financial management, operations management, and resource allocation.

PhD Business Management Degree

Doctoral degrees in entrepreneurship can be conferred as either a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or a PhD in Business Management. Degree programs at this level will take 3-5 years to complete depending on the length of time it takes to successfully complete the dissertation coupled with course requirements. A specialty doctorate degree in entrepreneurship will help qualified students master business concepts with a varied of hands-on learning, case studies, and research modalities.

Classes will help graduate students think differently about core business concepts and challenge the status quo. Examples include courses such as organizational leadership, fiscal leadership in a global environment, global IT management solutions, business strategy & innovation, applied business research fundamentals, B2B marketing, advertising in the 21st Century, and social media marketing.

Entrepreneurs Academic Programs

Degree requirements in entrepreneurship will include business-heavy classes in addition to technology and communications. Ultimately, each university will have their own curricular requirements depending on the degree level and design of the course. Researching dozens of college programs has revealed a common set of courses you will find in entrepreneurship.

Jobs Outlook & Entrepreneurial Business Programs

Earning a degree in entrepreneurship requires a full suite of skills. Possessing and applying a variety of persuasion skills and business acumen are part of everyday activities for entrepreneurs. However, not every college graduate earning an entrepreneurship degree will immediately strike out on their own. In fact, many utilize their business skills to enhance acumen and build value in other organizations domestically. Similarly, an international programs request can be sent by employers to ascertain viability of a skill match overseas.

Specializations in business where you may find entrepreneurs is seemingly endless. Examples include public speakers, managers, event planners, leaders, research analysts, directors, marketing managers, project specialists, venture capitalists, web managers, human resources, and operations managers.

Entrepreneurial Job Growth

Given the massive impact small business have in our economy, it should be no surprise that entrepreneurship is poised for continued growth. The Department of Labor and the BLS have tallied growth in various management positions to provide a proxy for entrepreneur growth. Employment growth for operations managers is projected to be 9%, administrative service managers at 8%, and a robust 15% for information systems managers. To learn more about careers of interest, simply request information from accredited schools and dive deep into our list of top majors.

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