Starting a business involves more than financial foundations and business savvy. The following 25 Best Master's Degrees in Entrepreneurship train students in the art of entrepreneurial thinking. 
An entrepreneurial mindset involves creative and analytical approaches, strong problem-solving and self-marketing skills, and the confidence to rise to the challenges new enterprises present. The following 25 Best Master's Degrees in Entrepreneurship teach graduates how to think like entrepreneurs. They allow students to test out ideas and practice their business skills through trial and error in controlled classroom and lab environments and real-world settings. This helps individuals to avoid making rookie mistakes in the real business marketplace that could cost them huge amounts of time and money. Whether joining startups, launching new businesses, or exploring the world of venture capital, graduate study in Entrepreneurship can help individuals rise to the challenge.
Individuals with Entrepreneurship degrees may go on to start new companies or help run family businesses. Generally speaking, the following degrees are designed to prepare entrepreneurs to plan, coordinate, and strategize in new and emerging ventures. Entrepreneurs can expect to work long hours. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, top executives in businesses big and small made a median salary of $104,980 in 2018. Of course, this depends on the success of the business. The demand for executives is growing at a projected rate of eight percent, which is about as fast as average. Entrepreneurs can expect to face strong competition, and their success is largely dependent on industry growth and the demand for the products or services they are providing.
Methodology
The staff of Grad School Hub has compiled the following 25 Best Master's Degrees in Entrepreneurship for the 2019-20 academic school year based on public data released from educational, commercial, and government databases. Data contributed from sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics, and the U.S. Department of Labor plays a significant role in how graduate degree programs are ranked because institutional transparency is essential for deciding which career path is right for you. Based on this data, GSH organizes information into five weighted categories, which are:
- Alumni Feedback: 20%
- Continued Enrollment: 20%
- Degree Selectivity: 10%
- Graduate Expenses: 25%
- Projected Annual Salary: 25%
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible through our Ranking Methodology page.
Here are the 25 Best Master's Degrees in Entrepreneurship for 2019 – 2020!
#25 – Baruch College
Master of Science in Entrepreneurship
New York, NY
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,770 in-state; $19,920 out-of-state
#24 – Texas A&M University
Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership
College Station, TX
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,552 in-state; $17,904 out-of-state
#23 – Temple University
Master of Science in Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship
Philadelphia, PA
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $16,488 in-state; $22,689 out-of-state
#22 – Baylor University
Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship
Waco, TX
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $30,888
#21 – Washington University in St. Louis
Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship
St. Louis, MO
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $52,400
#20 – Brigham Young University
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship track
Provo, UT
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,080
#19 – Vanderbilt University
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship emphasis
Nashville, TN
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $47,208
#18 – University of South Florida
Master of Science in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies
Tampa, FL
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,350 in-state; $19,048 out-of-state
#17 – Purdue University
Master of Business Administration, Innovation and Technology Commercialization concentration
West Lafayette, IN
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,208 in-state; $28,010 out-of-state
#16 – University of Chicago
Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship
Chicago, IL
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $57,759
#15 – Rice University
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship concentration
Houston, TX
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $37,855
#14 – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Track
Cambridge, MA
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $51,520
#13 – University of Michigan
Master of Entrepreneurship
Ann Arbor, MI
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $23,128 in-state; $46,678 out-of-state
#12 – University of Southern California
Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Los Angeles, CA
Website
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 in Business Programs. The university also ranks at No. 9 in Entrepreneurship at the graduate level.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $44,712
#11 – Babson College
Master of Science in Management in Entrepreneurial Leadership
Wellesley, MA
Website
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.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $82,496
#10 – Northwestern University
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship pathway
Evanston, IL
Website
Northwestern University offers a Master of Business Administration with an Entrepreneurship pathway through its Kellogg School of Management. The degree program pathway emphasizes launching new ventures and building sustainable business models. The curriculum combines the areas of finance, marketing, organizations, and strategy in entrepreneurship. Courses include Commercializing Innovations, Entrepreneurial Tools for Digital Marketing, and Global Entrepreneurial Finance. The Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation also offers NUvention courses, flagship interdisciplinary classes in areas such as Analytics, Energy, and Web and Media. The degree program is designed to be completed on a full-time basis in one to two years.
Chartered in 1851, Northwestern was the first university chartered in the state of Illinois. The university was founded by nine Methodist Chicago attorneys, businessmen, and religious leaders. Though the school was formerly affiliated with the United Methodist Church, it is now a nonsectarian private research university. In addition to its main campus in Evanston, Illinois, it operates campuses in Chicago and Qatar and facilities in Miami, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. U.S. News & World Report ranks Northwestern at No. 15 in Best Value Schools and No. 10 in National Universities. The university also ranks at No. 6 in Best Business Schools at the graduate level.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $54,120
#9 – Northeastern University
Master of Science in Technological Entrepreneurship
Boston, MA
Website
Northeastern University offers a Master of Science in Technological Entrepreneurship through its D'Amore-McKim School of Business. The intensive degree program equips students with entrepreneurial knowledge of business plans and models, innovations, and marketing strategies. Core courses include Emerging and Disruptive Technologies, Enterprise Growth and Innovation, and The Technical Entrepreneur as Leader. The program also includes a multidisciplinary venture development team project. Experiential learning is emphasized, and students can access the resources of the school's Center for Entrepreneurship Education. The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis in one to two years.
Northeastern began in 1898 as the Evening Institute for Younger Men in Boston's Huntington Avenue YMCA. Today, it is a private research university with a main campus that spreads through several Boston neighborhoods. It also operates satellite campuses in Charlotte, San Jose, Seattle, and Toronto. Northeastern is a Carnegie-classified top-tier research university. It is noted for its cooperative education program, which combines classroom study and professional practice. The university consistently ranks highly on The Princeton Review's "Best Schools for Internships" list. U.S. News & World Report ranks NEU at No. 72 in Best Value Schools, No. 44 in National Universities, and No. 8 in Most Innovative Schools.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $24,027
#8 – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Master of Business Administration, concentration in Entrepreneurship
Chapel Hill, NC
Website
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. The degree program builds students' entrepreneurial mindsets. Students can concentrate in topics such as Founder, Funder, or Growth Executive/Intrapreneur. Course offerings include Business Plan Analysis, Entrepreneur's Lab, Innovation & Design Thinking, Sales, and Strategic Innovation. Students are offered a variety of experiential learning and professional development opportunities, such as entrepreneurship competitions, innovation labs, and startup accelerators. Graduates of the program have gone on to work in entrepreneurial roles at companies including Goldman Sachs and IBM. Chartered in 1789, UNC-Chapel Hill is the flagship campus of the 17-member University of North Carolina system. Along with Duke University and North Carolina State, UNC anchors the region's Research Triangle.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,243 in-state; $27,454 out-of-state
#7 – Lehigh University
Master of Business Administration, concentration in Corporate Entrepreneurship
Bethlehem, PA
Website
Lehigh University offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Corporate Entrepreneurship. The 12-credit concentration includes required courses such as Market Opportunity: Targeting Strategies & Selling Tactics and Performing a Business Enterprise Audit: Developing an Industry Perspective. Elective offerings include Developing Exit Strategies, Establishing Credit Facilities, and Intellectual Property. Students are also offered opportunities to participate in an integrative internship and independent study or to learn immersively during a winter term in Silicon Valley. The degree program is designed to be completed on a part-time basis.
Lehigh is located on three campuses around South Mountain in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, about 70 miles from Philadelphia and 85 miles from New York City. Lehigh business alumni have gone on to play roles in the founding of companies including The Dreyfus Corporation, Packard Motor Company, and Urban Outfitters. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University at No. 53 in National Universities and No. 27 in Best Value Schools.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $27,000
#6 – The University of Texas at Austin
Master of Business Administration, concentration in Entrepreneurship
Austin, TX
Website
The University of Texas at Austin offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. The average UT Austin MBA student is 28 years old, with five and a half years of work experience. About half of students' first year of study is spent on core courses such as Financial Accounting, Microeconomics, Operations Management, Statistics, and Strategic Management. The other half of the first year, as well as the entire second year, is spent on Entrepreneurship electives. Through the school's Herb Kelleher Center for Entrepreneurship, students will have opportunities to participate in experiential learning experiences such as pitch competitions, leadership programs, speaker series, and workshops. The degree program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study.
Founded in 1883, UT Austin is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. Located in Austin, the public state university accommodates the nation's eighth-largest student body on a single campus. A space-grant institution, UT Austin is a member of the Association of American Universities and is counted among the nation's "Public Ivies." The university's facilities include the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, and the McDonald Observatory. U.S. News & World Report ranks UT Austin at No. 49 in National Universities, No. 16 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 15 in Top Public Schools. The university also ranks 10th in graduate-level Entrepreneurship.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,742 in-state; $22,564 out-of-state
#5 – University of Virginia
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship concentration
Charlottesville, VA
Website
The University of Virginia offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship through its Darden School of Business. The concentration aims to build entrepreneurial thinking skills and confidence in launching new ventures. MBA core courses include Business Ethics, Decision Analysis, Management Communication, and Strategic Thinking and Action. The Darden School's Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation offers courses such as Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work, Digital Marketing, Software Design, and Venture Velocity. The Batten Institute also offers experiential learning experiences including a business incubator, a startup academy program, a venture capital boot camp workshop, and venture fellowships and internships.
UVA was founded in 1819 by United States Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, who also designed the architecture on the university's campus in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is the state's flagship university. The public research university is noted for its rich history, secret societies, and student-run honor code. It is a member institution of the Association of American Universities. UVA alumni have gone on to found Reddit, the Virginia Railway, the WNBA, and beyond. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University at No. 28 in Best Value Schools, No. 25 in National Universities, and No. 3 in Top Public Schools. The Darden School of Business ranks at No. 12 in the nation.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $16,018 in-state; $26,830 out-of-state
#4 – Cornell University
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship concentration
Ithaca, NY
Website
Cornell University offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship through its SC Johnson College of Business. Students have the option to combine the Entrepreneurship breadth concentration with another concentration area, such as Financial Analysis, Marketing Management, or Strategy. The flexible MBA curriculum sequence includes course options at Cornell Tech in New York City. Core courses include Critical and Strategic Thinking, Leading Teams, and Microeconomic for Management. The MBA program is designed to be completed in one year of full-time study.
Cornell was founded in 1865 by senators Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White. The university was initially funded by Cornell and built on his farm in Ithaca, New York. Today, the university also operates satellite locations in New York City and Qatar. It is the only land-grant institution in the state of New York. The private Ivy League research university is also a member of the State University of New York system. U.S. News & World Report ranks Cornell at No. 21 in both Best Value Schools and Most Innovative Schools and No. 16 in National Universities. The Johnson College of Business ranks at No. 15 in Best Business Schools.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $29,500
#3 – University of Pennsylvania
Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Philadelphia, PA
Website
The University of Pennsylvania offers a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship & Innovation through its Wharton School. The curriculum is designed to build skills to prepare students for entrepreneurship independently, in corporate settings, or through family businesses. The Goergen Entrepreneurial Management program combines theory and practice and offers opportunities for funding, professorships, and fellowships. Entrepreneurship & Innovation course offerings include Creativity, Intellectual Property Strategy for the Innovation-Driven Enterprise, Negotiations, Product Design, and more. Students are also recommended to complete a summer internship spanning three and a half months. The degree program spans 20 months.
UPenn was founded in 1740 by Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. It is counted among the nation's nine "colonial colleges" founded prior to the Declaration of Independence. The private Ivy League research university was also the first higher education institution to refer to itself as a university. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the heart of the UPenn campus is a historic district. The university's business alumni have gone on to found companies including Cisco, Comcast, H&R Block, PayPal, and SpaceX. U.S. News & World Report ranks UPenn at No. 12 in Best Value Schools, No. 8 in National Universities, and first in Business at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $34,882
#2 – Harvard University
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Cambridge, MA
Website
Harvard University offers a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship & Innovation through its Harvard Business School. Elective offerings include Entrepreneurship and Global Capitalism, Founders' Journey, Launching Technology Ventures, and Managing the Future of Work. Students are also offered experiential learning opportunities through field course options in areas such as Entrepreneurial Sales and Marketing, Entrepreneurship through Acquisition, and Product Management. Through the business school's Arthur Rock Center for Entrepreneurship, students may also choose to take part in business incubators, entrepreneurship forums, summer fellowships, and venture partnerships.
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. The private Ivy League research university is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It was a founding member of the Association of American Universities. The research university has the largest endowment of any academic institution and is home to the largest academic and private library system in the world. Harvard alumni and attendees have gone on to found companies including CVS, Facebook, and Microsoft. U.S. News & World Report ranks Harvard at No. 14 in Most Innovative Schools and second in both Best Value Schools and National Universities. The Business School ranks third overall in the nation and fourth in Entrepreneurship at the graduate level.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $46,384
#1 – University of California, Berkeley
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship
Berkeley, CA
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University of California, Berkeley offers a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship through its Haas School of Business. The MBA degree program specifically prioritizes entrepreneurship, which is part of the reason it tops this list. It is designed to equip graduates with the resources to explore the venture capital world, launch their own enterprises, or lead startups. Course offerings include Life as an Entrepreneur, New Venture Finance, and The Startup Lab. The school also hosts speaker series in Private Equity, Social Impact, and Venture Capital. Students interested in social change, start-ups, and venture design may engage in the Social Impact Disco, a single-weekend course with team formations, guest speakers, group presentations, hackathons, and more.
UC Berkeley is a founding member of the Association of American Universities. Berkeley's research institutes include the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and the Space Sciences Laboratory. The university is often noted for producing a large number of entrepreneurs. Berkeley alumni have founded or co-founded companies including, Apple, eBay, Intel, and Tesla. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University at No. 24 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 22 in National Universities, and No. 2 in Top Public Schools. The Haas School of Business ranks sixth overall and fifth in Entrepreneurship at the graduate level.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,442 in-state; $26,544 out-of-state