Many entrepreneurs follow an academic path to learn the foundational skills required to launch and run a successful business, build their network, and open themselves up to valuable opportunities. Whether you’re looking for an undergraduate or graduate degree in business or entrepreneurship, these are the best colleges to help you become an entrepreneur.
Best Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Programs
If you’re just getting started on your entrepreneurship education journey or simply looking to fine-tune your skills with a respected academic institution, an undergraduate program may be the right choice for you. While these schools have fantastic undergraduate programs, many of them also offer graduate or master of business administration (MBA) programs as well.
University of Michigan
Founded in 2008, the University of Michigan’s Center For Entrepreneurship (CFE) is a magnet for talent and innovation from all industries. Its mission is to inspire and transform undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and researchers alike into entrepreneurial thinkers and doers through a variety of classes and programs.
Here are some highlights of the CFE’s offerings:
- Entrepreneurship Minor
- 15 centers and Programs
- More Than 30 Entrepreneurial Student-Run Organizations
- More Than 68 Classes
- Pitch Competitions
- Two High-Impact Accelerator Programs
- A Number of Student Fellowships
The university also has strong internal and external ecosystems so entrepreneurs can become part of the larger community and take advantage of important connections with entrepreneurial staples like Y Combinator.
In addition to events like Entrepalooza, the Michigan Business Challenge, and Dare to Dream, Michigan’s Ross School of Business has several initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion. For women, it has a BBA chapter “to educate and create awareness of business issues pertaining to women and to create a sense of community… .” The school also has an Office of Diversity and Inclusion whose sole focus is promoting empowerment for minority communities in business.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
As one of the top schools in the nation, it’s no surprise that MIT has incredible entrepreneurship and business programs. The hub for this activity is the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, whose mission is “to advance knowledge and educate students in innovation-driven entrepreneurship in a manner that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.”
Their mission is accomplished through a mix of the following:
- Academics (Classes and an MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation track)
- Programs (StartMIT, MIT Delta v, NYC Startup Studio, and Student Clubs)
- Events (Silicon Valley Study Tour, Speaker Series, Awards)
- Infrastructure (Entrepreneurs in Residence, Research, Professional Advisors Network)
- Outreach (Boot Camps, Cross-Campus Partnerships)
The most recent available data estimates the Center’s alumni have launched 30,200 active companies, employing around 4.6 million people and generating nearly $2 trillion in annual revenues. The Center is extremely supportive of female entrepreneurs, consistently shining a light on the obstacles women in business face and their ultimate successes.
University of California Berkeley
UC Berkeley’s world-renowned Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology was originally opened in 2005 by Ikhlaq Sidhu to serve engineering undergraduates. “Since 2005, SCET has created the foundation of Berkeley’s entrepreneurship ecosystem that includes SkyDECK, the Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership, the Engineering Leadership and Professional Program, Global Venture Lab, and an extensive ecosystem of Silicon Valley and Global partners,” according to its website.
Moreover, the Center has become famous for developing the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship, an institutionally recognized method of teaching technology entrepreneurship through inductive learning and journey-based instruction.
UC Berkeley’s strength is tech entrepreneurship — bolstered by a network of 500 investors and industry partners as well as two specialized programs: the Engineering Leadership and Professional Program and the Silicon Valley Innovation Leadership Week.
University of Texas at Austin
The Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center was founded in 2001 by Southwest Airlines Founder Herb Kelleher. His vision was to provide resources for those with entrepreneurial spirit and encourage innovation. The Center’s resources are broken into four key areas:
- Education Through the Entrepreneurship Minor
- Work With Startups by Taking the Startup Accelerator Course
- Build Your Idea by Finding Mentorship, Networking, Conducting Market Research, and More
- Get Funded by Winning Startup Competitions Like DisrupTexas and Pitch Texas or by Earning a Fellowship/Grant
Actually, the Center is just one of many large-scale resources available at the University of Texas at Austin. The school also has an Office of Inclusion, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship that offers programs specifically for women in business like the Women’s Initiative for Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development, an incubator program beginning this year.
Stanford
One of the oldest programs on this list, Stanford University’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (CES) was founded in 1996 in order to “address the need for greater understanding of issues facing entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial community.”
CES supports students interested in entrepreneurship through ground-breaking research, courses on entrepreneurship, innovation, and early stage investing as well as experimental courses and programs like the Stanford Venture Studio and Startup Garage.
CES is a part of Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, which boasts a large number of extremely impressive alumni. For example, 2008 graduate Celina Johnson served as the chief operating officer (COO) of Man Crates, a successful gift company for men, while 2003 graduate Jenny Eu founded Three Trees, whose products are now sold in stores across the nation’s two coasts.
Michigan State University
Entrepreneurship is ingrained in the curriculum of Michigan State University’s (MSU) colleges. More than just courses and specialized academic programs, the university offers copious opportunities for students to compete for startup funding and learn the ropes of launching a business through its well-respected entrepreneurship programs.
In 2012, the university launched its Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, which has transformed MSU into one of the nation’s best entrepreneurial institutes. The Institute offers programs like the Burgess New Venture Challenge, Startup Weekend, and Innovate State, which gives students a taste of the steps involved in creating a company.
Students also can benefit from the school’s entrepreneurial community through physical spaces like the Entrepreneurship Lab as well as an expansive network of alumni and university partners. To support women in entrepreneurship, MSU has some events exclusive to female entrepreneurs like the Women In Entrepreneurship (WE) Pitch Competition. The school also hosts get-togethers and meetings for female entrepreneurs.
Indiana University
Another option for students with entrepreneurial spirit, Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business has an entire department dedicated to management and entrepreneurship through which undergraduates can specialize in management, entrepreneurship and corporation Innovation, or international business.
Outside of its academic resources, the Kelley School has a physical space where students can gain tangible experience in building a business. The Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation offers a number of cocurricular events, services, and events through its Entrepreneurial Innovation Ecosystem.
One of the big selling points for Indiana University’s program is its strong focus on women in entrepreneurship, which is evident through unique resources like the Center of Excellence for Women & Technology.
Babson College
Babson College launched entrepreneurship as an academic focus nearly 50 years ago and has since grown the program to include more than 80 different entrepreneurship courses. Per its website, “Babson’s innovation was to break entrepreneurship education out of its silo and integrate it across the curriculum so our students can learn to apply their entrepreneurial skills from a foundation of strong functional business knowledge.”
Now offering one of the best program’s in the country, Babson boasts fantastic resources like the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship that provides support for students of all entrepreneurial interests. The Center hosts a slew of signature events, including the Rocket Pitch challenge, the intensive 10-week Summer Venture Program, and the Butler Launch Pad, which provides workshops, office hours with experts, seed funding, and a free workspace.
Babson has produced countless successful alumni like Wanderu Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Polina Raygorodskaya as well as Indico Cofounder and Vice President of Talent Diana Yuan.
Harvard
Harvard’s Business School (HBS) has more to offer than just the name. The alumni list is filled with success stories, ranging from former Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson and former President George W. Bush to the first female CEO of Time, Inc., Ann S. Moore.
One of the reasons the Harvard Business School produces such trailblazing entrepreneurs is because of its fantastic resources, namely the Arthur Rock Center for Entrepreneurship whose goal is to help students “navigate the multitude of programs and resources available to students and alumni in the HBS and Harvard Ecosystem and in locations around the globe.”
Harvard has always valued entrepreneurship among its students, but only cemented a hub for entrepreneurship in 2003 when Venture Capitalist Arthur Rock donated $25 million to the school.
The Center hosts programs like the New Venture Competition, the Rock Accelerator, and the Harvard Innovation Labs. Students also can benefit from consultations with the school’s entrepreneurs in residence and the variety of entrepreneurship-related academic courses.
Another notable feature of Harvard’s program is that it separates programs into different entrepreneurial paths: founder, joiner, and investor. As a result, you can take very tailored classes and easily transition post-graduation.
Best Graduate Entrepreneurship Programs
For entrepreneurs or aspiring business owners seeking to continue their education, an MBA in entrepreneurship may be the perfect next step. Here are some of the best graduate entrepreneurship programs to consider for your academic journey.
Washington University in St. Louis
The Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis has a robust entrepreneurship program that has evolved over several decades. The school’s entrepreneurship offerings began in the 1980s with the introduction of entrepreneurship courses and the establishment of the Center for Experiential Learning, which provided hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Olin Business School offers five MBA concentrations: consulting, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing operations, and supply chain management. Notably, Poets & Quants voted the school’s MBA for entrepreneurship #1 for five years. This program offers three different global immersion experiences for students in Barcelona, Singapore, and Washington D.C., giving students a valuable opportunity to grow their skills and build their network beyond the college campus.
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
The UCLA Anderson School of Management has a long-standing commitment to entrepreneurship education with offerings dating back to the 1970s. The school’s entrepreneurship program has grown significantly over the years, becoming one of the top programs in the country.
The program offers opportunities for academic and hands-on learning with applied management research, global immersion courses, and the chance to launch a business while attending school. UCLA also boasts a powerful alumni network of more than 42,000 for students to leverage during the program and beyond.
In addition to its MBA program, UCLA also offers an undergraduate minor in entrepreneurship through the Anderson School of Management. This minor is open to students from all majors and provides a foundation in entrepreneurial thinking and skills. The school’s location in Los Angeles, Calif., provides access to a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem with numerous resources and networking opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
University of Washington
The Foster School of Business at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle, Wash., has a comprehensive entrepreneurship program that has evolved over several decades. The school’s entrepreneurship offerings began in the 1990s with the introduction of entrepreneurship courses and the establishment of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The school provides undergraduate through doctoral students with valuable educational opportunities and resources to make a positive impact through entrepreneurship and business.
The MBA offered by the Foster School of Business aims to be an affordable program with a variety of formats available to students — from evening and hybrid options to executive and full-time programs. This program suits students who prefer a program and community dedicated to mission-driven entrepreneurship or business administration.
Additionally, UW is surrounded by thriving businesses including Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks as well as a rapidly growing startup scene. This provides students with opportunities beyond academics to find talent for their ventures, connect with other founders, and find mentorship opportunities.
University of Virginia
The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia has a strong entrepreneurship program that has been developing since the 1980s. The school’s commitment to entrepreneurship education is reflected in its numerous offerings and resources for students interested in starting their own ventures.
In 1999, the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology was established through a generous gift from Frank Batten Sr. The institute has become a central hub for entrepreneurship education and research at the Darden School, providing support for students, faculty, and alumni engaged in entrepreneurial ventures.
The MBA program at the Darden School of Business offers a concentration in entrepreneurship and innovation, which includes a range of courses, experiential learning opportunities, and access to resources and mentorship. Courses cover topics like new venture creation, entrepreneurial finance, and design thinking.
Northeastern University
The D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University has a comprehensive entrepreneurship program that has been evolving since the early 2000s. The school’s focus on experiential learning and entrepreneurship has resulted in a range of offerings and resources for students interested in starting their own ventures.
The MBA program focuses on entrepreneurship through a range of courses, experiential learning opportunities, and access to resources and mentorship. Courses cover a range of topics, such as new venture creation, entrepreneurial marketing, and social entrepreneurship. Additionally, in 2014, the McCarthy(s) Venture Mentoring Network was created to provide mentorship, resources, and support for student and alumni entrepreneurs across the university.
Rice University
The entrepreneurship program at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University has a long history of excellence. The school’s focus on entrepreneurship can be traced back to the early 1970s when it introduced its first entrepreneurship course. Since then, the program has grown significantly to become one of the top entrepreneurship programs in the country. In fact, it ranked as the #1 Graduate Entrepreneurship Program by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine five years in a row.
The MBA program at the Jones Graduate School of Business offers a range of entrepreneurship courses, covering topics like new venture creation, financing, growth strategies, and social entrepreneurship. Additionally, the school’s location in Houston, Texas, provides access to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem with numerous resources and networking opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
New York University (NYU)
Not only does NYU have one of the best business schools in the country, the Stern School of Business, but it also boasts a plethora of resources to help students of all backgrounds cultivate their entrepreneurial interests.
The main resource for this is NYU’s Entrepreneurial Institute, which leads “a university-wide initiative to accelerate the pace of technology commercialization and the launch of successful startups founded by NYU’s 60,000 students, faculty, and researchers.” The Institute can be traced back to the 2010 Innovation Venture Fund.
The fund, which provides seed capital to promising student-run startups, still exists today, but is supplemented by numerous other resources that include:
- Leslie eLab (A space that connects entrepreneurs through collaboration and a lecture series)
- Tandon School of Engineering’s Future Labs (A resource for tech-related businesses)
- MakerSpace (A collaborative workshop)
- Many More Physical and Digital Resources
NYU also hosts an annual Entrepreneurs Challenge, which is one of the largest and most innovative competitions and startup accelerators in the world. One recent recipient of the Innovation Venture Fund is Alexandra Diracles, a 2014 graduate whose company, Vidcode, engages middle and high school students with computer science by pairing it with creative outlets they already use.