25 Best Master’s Degrees in Entrepreneurship in 2021

Babson College offers a Master of Science in Management in Entrepreneurial Leadership. The degree program promotes organizational success, personal growth, and professional advancement through innovation. Core courses include Data Exploration, Finance for Entrepreneurs, Information Technology, Law, and Marketing Management. Students move through the program as a cohort group, taking on real-world challenges such as venture creation, problem-solving in organizations, and learning about the global business world through a study-abroad course. Past locations have included Chile, China, and Tanzania. The degree program is designed to be completed in nine months of full-time study.

Babson was founded by entrepreneur Roger W. Babson in 1919. Originally an all-male business institute, it is now a private, co-educational business school with a focus on entrepreneurship. It is noted for its immersive approach to entrepreneurship, and particularly for its Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship course, in which students launch, run, and dissolve a company. The school's main campus is located in the Massachusetts town of Wellesley, about 15 miles from Boston. The school operates additional learning locations in downtown Boston, Miami, and San Francisco. U.S. News & World Report ranks Babson first in the nation for Entrepreneurship studies.

The University of Southern California offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation through its Marshall School of Business. Students can choose to pursue one of seven interdisciplinary minors, including but not limited to The Digital Entrepreneur, Game Entrepreneurism, and Technology Commercialization. The 27-unit curriculum includes required courses such as Cases in Feasibility Analysis; The Entrepreneurial Advisor: Problems Solving for Early-Stage Companies; and Founder's Dilemmas: Anticipate and Avoid Startup Pitfalls. The degree program can be completed in one year on a full-time basis or two years on a part-time basis.

Founded in 1880, USC is the oldest private research university in the state of California. It is also the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles. A sea- and space-grant institution, the university is a member of the Association of American Universities. USC innovations include antivirus software, DNA computing, and the Domain Name System. USC Marshall alumni have gone on to start companies such as Kinko's, MySpace, and Tinder. U.S. News & World Report ranks USC at No. 37 in Best Value Schools, No. 28 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 22 in National Universities, and No. 10

The University of Michigan provides a Master of Entrepreneurship through its Ross School of Business. The degree program is an intensive program focused on technology. It begins with a week-long business and technology boot camp. The 36-credit curriculum builds an understanding of technology translation and how to launch and achieve long-term success with new ventures. Courses include Entrepreneurial Economics, IP Strategy, Leading Startups, and Systems Innovation. The accelerated degree program is designed to be completed in 12 months of intensive study. During the summer after graduation, the school gives students the opportunity and support to launch viable technology-based ventures.

U of M was founded in 1817 in Detroit. Now located in Ann Arbor, the university is the oldest in the state of Michigan. The public research university is also the state's flagship institution. A sea- and space-grant institution, U of M is a founding member of the Association of American Universities. With a very high level of research activity, the university is considered one of the most prominent research universities in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks U of M at No. 4 in both Top Public Schools, Business Programs, and Entrepreneurship. At the graduate level, the Ross School of Business ranks 10th in the nation.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a Master of Business Administration with an Entrepreneurship & Innovation track. The degree program is offered through the university's Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and is designed for students within the MIT Sloan School of Management MBA program. The E&I track teaches students how to launch and develop innovative technology companies through courses, team activities, and real-world practice. Course offerings include Global Entrepreneurship Lab, Healthcare Ventures, Managing in Adversity, and Media Ventures. Students can also expect to visit Silicon Valley to learn and network in the nation's innovation nucleus. Students must also engage in a startup through team building, problem-solving, and innovating.

MIT was founded in 1861 as a response to national industrialization. It was modeled after a polytechnic university, with emphasis on applied science, engineering, and laboratory learning environments. Now a private research university, MIT has contributed significantly to the fields of science, engineering, math, and innovation. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the urban campus extends along the Charles River and is situated near Harvard University. U.S. News & World Report ranks MIT third in National Universities, Best Value Schools, and Most Innovative Schools. The university also ranks third in graduate-level Entrepreneurship.

Rice University offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. Students have the option to combine the Entrepreneurship concentration with another concentration area, such as Finance, Health Care, or Real Estate. The core MBA curriculum includes courses such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Leading Change, and Organizational Behavior. Students can also expect to complete a Global Field Experience, which brings small student teams to work on business and service projects in locations such as Bogotá, Columbia; Lima, Peru; or Mexico City, Mexico. The degree program is designed to be completed on a full-time basis.

Rice was established in 1912 with help from the estate of businessman William Marsh Rice. Today, it is a private research university in Houston, Texas. The university has a small student body and small class sizes. As a university with a very high level of research activity, Rice is recognized globally for its applied science and materials science research. U.S. News & World Report ranks Rice at No. 28 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 16 in National Universities, and No. 14 in Best Value Schools. The university's business school ranks at No. 26 for its graduate studies.

The University of Chicago provides a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship through its Booth School of Business. The degree program incorporates business areas, including finance, marketing, operations, and strategy. It emphasizes real-world application, allowing students to test their entrepreneurial skills in business settings. These skills include resource prioritization, critical evaluation, customer understanding, and profit assurance. Courses include Building the New Venture, Commercializing Innovation; Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity; and New Venture Strategy. The program is designed to be completed on a full-time basis.

UChicago was founded in 1890 by the American Baptist Education Society. Today, it is a highly-ranked private research university. It is well known for its studies in arts and sciences and its professional schools. In addition to its main campus in Chicago, Illinois, the university has learning locations in Beijing, Delhi, London, Hong Kong, and Paris. The university has contributed significant scholarship to disciplines including behavioralism, economics, literary criticism, and religion. It is home to the largest university press in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranks U of C at No. 18 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 16 in Best Value Schools, and No. 3 in National Universities.

Purdue University offers a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Innovation and Technology Commercialization. The degree program is designed for those interested in business and product development and technology and innovation in businesses. Students are introduced to the university's technology commercialization environment in their first year through seminars and site visits. They are later offered opportunities to participate in research projects with the university's faculty and partners. The 11-credit curriculum includes three experiential learning options: Biomedship, Innovation and Technology Commercialization Projects, and Technology Entrepreneurship in Lean Startups. Elective offerings include Brand Management and Pricing Strategy and Analysis.

Purdue was founded in 1869 with help from benefactor and businessman John Purdue. It was established as a college of agriculture, science, and technology. Now a public research university, Purdue is the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, the university has the largest foreign student population in the United States. A land-, sea-, and space-grant institution, itis a member of the Association of American Universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks Purdue at No. 56 in National Universities, No. 17 in Top Public Schools, and No. 6 in Most Innovative Schools. The university's business school ranks at No. 74 for its graduate studies.

The University of South Florida offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies. The interdisciplinary degree program teaches students to recognize and pursue opportunities, commercialize products, assess technologies and markets, and form and finance new ventures. It emphasizes social responsibilities and sustainability. The curriculum includes 15 credits of core courses in areas such as team leadership and technology commercialization. Electives are offered in areas such as biotechnology, global entrepreneurship, and intellectual property. The program can be completed in 12 months on an accelerated basis.

Founded in 1956, USF was the first independent state university planned and created during the 20th century. Today, it is the fourth-largest public university in Florida in terms of student enrollment. Located in Tampa, the campus sits on a former site of a World War II airstrip and the world's largest citrus grove in the 1920s. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, USF is considered one of the nation's fastest-growing universities. The space-grant university conducts significant research in areas including health, sustainability, and urban transportation. U.S. News & World Report ranks USF at No. 71 in Best Value Schools and No. 58 in Top Public Schools.

Vanderbilt University offers a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. MBA courses include Business in the World Economy, Leading Teams and Organizations, and Management Communication. The Entrepreneurship emphasis builds an entrepreneurial mindset, including analytical and creative skills as well as perseverance and innovative thinking. Emphasis courses include Building Out a Startup Venture, Healthcare Innovation and Evaluation, and Managing the Global Enterprise. Students have options to complete global business seminars and social entrepreneurship projects. The program consists of a minimum of 62 credit hours and is designed to be completed in two years.

Vanderbilt was founded in 1873 and named after its initial donor, shipping and rail magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt hoped the school could help rebuild the South following the Civil War. Now a private research university, Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee. Its research facilities include the Dyer Observatory, the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center, and the Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities. Though located near downtown Nashville, the campus is a national arboretum. U.S. News & World Report ranks Vanderbilt at No. 37 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 14 in National Universities, and No. 7 in Best Value Schools. The university's business school ranks at No. 29 in the nation for its graduate studies.

Brigham Young University offers a Master of Business Administration with an Entrepreneurship track. The degree program requires 64 credit hours of study. Core courses include Business Ethics, Corporate Financial Reporting, and Leadership. Entrepreneurship track courses include Creating New Ventures, Entrepreneurial Marketing, and Innovation Entrepreneurship. Elective offerings include Creative Strategic Thinking, Real Estate Analysis, and Venture Capital/Private Equity. The MBA program emphasizes teamwork, with students organized in small study groups and other group environments. Though not required, students are encouraged to complete a summer internship. The degree program spans two years of study.

BYU was founded in 1875 and named after Brigham Young, who served as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Church continues to own and operate the school, now a private non-profit research university. Most students are members of the LDS Church, and all are expected to follow an LDS-aligned student honor code. In addition to its main campus in Provo, Utah, BYU operates satellite campuses in Salt Lake City and Jerusalem. A space-grant institution, BYU research has led to inventions such as the electric television and the man-made diamond. U.S. News & World Report ranks BYU at No. 66 in National Universities and No. 11 in Best Value Schools. The university's business school ranks at No. 32 in the nation for its graduate-level studies.

Washington University in St. Louis provides a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship through its Olin Business School. Students can choose to concentrate in Commercial Entrepreneurship or Social Entrepreneurship. The curriculum covers commercial and social ventures, consulting, corporations, family businesses, nonprofit management, small businesses, and venture capital or private equity firms. The degree requires a minimum of 20 credits. It includes a six-week global immersion experience that brings students to Washington, D.C.; Barcelona, Spain; and Shanghai, China. The degree program spans five semesters of full-time study, including a summer internship.

WashU opened in 1853 in honor of George Washington and was part of an effort to make up for the lack of higher education institutions in the Midwest. Today, it is a private research university located. Although the school includes "St. Louis" in its name, it is mostly located in unincorporated St. Louis County and suburban Clayton, Missouri. The university's Olin Business School is one of the most highly ranked, competitive business schools in the nation. Alumni have gone on to work in high-up positions for companies including Anheuser-Busch, Marriott International, and Walgreens. U.S. News & World Report ranks WashU at No. 20 in Best Value Schools and No. 19 in National Universities. The Olin Business School ranks at No. 26 in Best Business Schools at the graduate level.

Baylor University offers a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship through its Hankamer School of Business. The degree program teaches students how to access resources, launch ventures, grow businesses, and leave businesses. Students are encouraged to "learn by doing" through activities such as conducting business research and participating in business plan competitions. Students can choose to follow a course sequence in Corporate Entrepreneurship or New Venture Creation. Course offerings include Creating Value through Growth and Harvest, Entrepreneurial Finance, and Entrepreneurial Start-Up.

Chartered in 1845, Baylor is one of the oldest universities in Texas and one of the first schools west of the Mississippi River. The campus is located on the banks of the Brazos River in Waco, Texas, between Austin and Dallas. A private Christian research university, Baylor is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The university participates in one of the world's largest experimental physics collaborations and conducts significant studies of intelligent design. U.S. News & World Report ranks Baylor at No. 78 in National Universities and No. 57 in Best Value Schools. The university also ranks at No. 57 in Best Business Schools at the graduate level.

Temple University offers a Master of Science in Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship through its Fox School of Business. Rooted in innovation, the program builds students' skills in creative and dynamic thinking, strategy, organization, and management. Students can choose to specialize in Entrepreneurship, Innovation Strategy, or Technology & Innovation Management. The 30-credit curriculum includes three core courses: Business Model Innovation, Creativity Unleashed, and Principles of Strategy & Management. The degree program can be completed entirely online, in-person, or through a combination of both. Students can also choose to complete it on a full- or part-time basis.

Temple was founded in 1884 by Baptist Minister Russell Conwell. Conwell tutored working citizens late into the night in the basement of his Baptist Temple. These students were dubbed "night owls," which is reflected in the university's student nickname and mascot. Today, Temple is a public state-related research university. It has a main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An international university, it operates a total of eight campuses throughout Pennsylvania as well as in Rome and Tokyo. The university is one of the world's largest providers of professional education.

Texas A&M University provides a Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership with an emphasis in Audit or Tax. The professional degree program teaches students creative and research skills and does not require a master's thesis. The degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework. The curriculum includes directed studies, electives in management and accounting, a professional internship, and research courses. Entrepreneurial Leadership courses include Creativity and Innovation, Negotiations, Leadership, and Technology Commercialization.

Texas A&M was established in 1871 by the Texas state legislature as an agricultural and mechanical college. It was the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Texas. Now a public research university, A&M serves the largest student body in Texas and the second-largest in the United States. Located in College Station, it is the founding member of the Texas A&M System. The land-, sea-, and space-grant institution is a member of the Association of American Universities, an organization of North America's top research universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks A&M at No. 66 in National Universities, No. 44 in Best Value Schools, No. 37 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 24 in Top Public Schools. The university also ranks at No. 40 in Best Business Schools at the graduate level.

Bernard M. Baruch College offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship through its Zicklin School of Business. The degree program teaches students to think dynamically and to discover and develop new opportunities and ventures. The curriculum requires a minimum of 31.5 credits of study. It includes two required courses: Business Communication I and Entrepreneurial Strategy and Cases. Students can personalize their plan of study by choosing from course offerings such as Gender Differences Among Entrepreneurial Leaders, Globalization and Technology, and Real Estate Entrepreneurship. The degree program takes three to four semesters to complete.

Baruch traces its roots back to the 1847 founding of Free Academy, the first free public college in the United States. Baruch was officially established in 1919 as the college's School of Business and Civic Administration. Today, Baruch is a public research university and a constituent of the City University of New York system. It is located in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The university is comprised of schools of arts and science, business, and public and international affairs. U.S. News & World Report ranks Baruch at No. 20 in Regional Universities North, No. 11 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 5 in Top Public Schools. It is also ranked at No. 52 in Best Business Schools at the graduate level.