Best Online MBAs in Entrepreneurship
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The modern business landscape favors change-makers and innovators who push boundaries and develop products and services that outperform and outlast competitors. An MBA in entrepreneurship helps professionals develop the hard and soft skills necessary for success in the evolving business sector, including marketing, collaboration, and franchising.
An online entrepreneurship MBA can help full-time workers accommodate their schedules while accessing the same curriculum as in-person students.
In this guide, learn what to expect from this degree and discover some of the best online MBA in entrepreneurship programs according to our ranking methodology.
Popular Online MBA Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top 10 Online MBA Entrepreneurship Programs
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,019
- Out-of-state$34,198
- In-State$10,552
- Out-of-state$28,278
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate23%
- Students Enrolled29,877
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
Babson College
- Wellesley, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$52,608
- Out-of-state$52,608
- In-State$89,550
- Out-of-state$89,550
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate26%
- Students Enrolled3,325
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment1%
- AccreditationYes
Pennsylvania State University World Campus
- University Park, PA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$13,484
- Out-of-state$13,484
- In-State$21,682
- Out-of-state$21,682
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students EnrolledN/A
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Lafayette, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,407
- Out-of-state$19,135
- In-State$5,511
- Out-of-state$19,239
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled16,933
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Amherst, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,791
- Out-of-state$35,112
- In-State$14,014
- Out-of-state$29,529
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled31,350
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
Syracuse University
- Syracuse, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,616
- Out-of-state$50,616
- In-State$38,880
- Out-of-state$38,880
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled22,850
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$31,122
- Out-of-state$31,122
- In-State$9,065
- Out-of-state$9,065
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled4,302
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,756
- Out-of-state$30,756
- In-State$18,810
- Out-of-state$18,810
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled113,514
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- AccreditationYes
Central Michigan University
- Mount Pleasant, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,383
- Out-of-state$22,881
- In-State$16,700
- Out-of-state$16,700
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled19,362
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Ohio University-Main Campus
- Athens, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,612
- Out-of-state$22,406
- In-State$9,444
- Out-of-state$17,436
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled27,367
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
What Is an MBA in Entrepreneurship?
An MBA in entrepreneurship builds upon a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship or business, introducing more in-depth studies of marketing, organizational leadership, and business finance. This graduate degree usually requires 30-36 credits and takes 1-2 years of full-time study.
Students interested in starting their own business or leading innovation within an organization can benefit from these programs, which develop the practical skills required to build or maintain a thriving business. An entrepreneurship MBA typically covers topics like business consulting, franchising, labor laws, product development, and risk management.
Many MBAs in entrepreneurship provide opportunities for students to work with and learn from startup leaders through internships, seminars, and capstone projects. These opportunities allow enrollees to network and immerse themselves in real business environments.
Why Get an MBA in Entrepreneurship Online?
Behind each business is an entrepreneurial person or group of people who planned and executed a business strategy. In this sense, entrepreneurship dates back to the beginning of commerce. Modern technology has given entrepreneurs multiple new tools for success, helping them combine creativity and efficiency through digital marketing, data analysis, and predictive software to find and cater to their ideal audiences.
An online MBA in entrepreneurship can improve business-focused skills while delivering the following benefits:
Flexibility
An online MBA in entrepreneurship can help learners accommodate their busy schedules. Asynchronous programs offer maximum flexibility because they do not require set meeting times, but synchronous courses with evening or weekend schedules can also be helpful for full-time workers.
In-Demand Knowledge
Entrepreneurship online MBAs explore in-demand business skills, including sustainability, organizational behavior, and financial management.
Curriculum
An online MBA in entrepreneurship offers the same academic rigor and curriculum as an in-person degree.
Career Opportunities
This degree path can qualify graduates for versatile careers like fundraising manager, marketing director, and business consultant.
What Can You Do With an MBA in Entrepreneurship?
According to a report from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the 2023 median starting salary for professionals with MBAs was $125,000, compared to the starting salary for a business bachelor’s degree graduate of $75,000 that same year.
In addition to increased earning potential, an MBA in entrepreneurship can prepare students for high-level careers in business, including investment banker and management consultant. Explore a few top career options for entrepreneurship MBA graduates below.
Management Consultant
Management consultants analyze organizations’ processes and suggest improvements through new policies, systems, and training. A management consultant may work with just one organization or travel between multiple clients.
Investment Banker
Investment bankers help businesses find and secure funding to grow their businesses and assist organizations undergoing mergers and acquisitions. These professionals are usually self-employed or work for a brokerage. They typically assist multiple clients simultaneously.
Fundraising Manager
Fundraising managers help nonprofit organizations with fundraising efforts. Their primary responsibilities include planning fundraising events, creating and managing fundraising campaigns, and marketing organizations to appeal to potential donors.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officers (CEOs) manage their companies’ operations, including the organizations’ policymaking, management, growth strategies, and public image. Businesses in most industries employ CEOs, but retail and technical services are among their highest-employing sectors.
Marketing Director
Marketing directors manage marketing teams to produce effective promotional campaigns for organizations. They are also responsible for implementing strategies to reduce advertising costs, retain customers, and maintain a positive public image for their companies.
What Can You Expect From an Entrepreneurship MBA?
An entrepreneurship MBA prepares students to start their own business ventures, lead organizations, or head departments within companies. This degree provides a well-rounded business education while enhancing creative, analytical, and business development skills.
Most MBAs in entrepreneurship require 30-36 credits and take 1-2 years of full-time study, though some schools accept relevant work experience as credit toward an MBA. These programs explore topics such as entrepreneurial finance, innovation management, venture capital, and commercialization.
Often, these degrees culminate in a capstone project, which requires learners to synthesize their knowledge as they create a business plan or develop effective strategies for a simulated business venture.
Generally, an online entrepreneurship MBA costs $12,000-$19,000, although tuition and additional expenses, like textbooks and fees, can vary significantly between schools.
Accreditation for Online MBAs
When comparing online entrepreneurship MBAs, students should consider a school’s accreditation status. Institutional accreditation recognizes schools that meet criteria for factors like student support services, academic excellence, and faculty credentials. Students are usually not eligible for federal financial aid if they attend an unaccredited institution. Additionally, many schools only consider transcripts and transfer credits from accredited institutions.
Programmatic accreditation endorses specific programs or departments, verifying that coursework adequately prepares graduates for careers in the field. MBA programs can hold accreditation from agencies like:
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- AACSB International
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education
Admission Requirements
Most entrepreneurship MBA programs require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and submit official transcripts of all earned college credits. Though not every school requires a minimum GPA, some programs may waive application criteria — like GMAT or GRE scores — for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Schools requiring GMAT or GRE score submissions typically don’t have a minimum score requirement, instead using the information as part of their holistic evaluation of each candidate. MBA applications may also request resumes, personal statements, and professional references. Some business schools may also conduct interviews with applicants.
Common Courses
An MBA in entrepreneurship usually features a core business curriculum and several courses specific to entrepreneurship. Some programs also require business electives — classes students choose based on their areas of interest — and a capstone project where enrollees analyze startup strategies or develop business plans. Though every school offers its own courses, common classes include:
- Conscious Capitalism: Conscious capitalism emphasizes the importance of businesses working with and for their communities to foster positive changes. Learners in this course explore the relationship between organizations and stakeholders and how they can grow revenue ethically.
- New Venture Growth: This class helps students develop an innovation and growth mindset by studying the paths of successful companies that have broken the mold. Enrollees learn how to move past the startup phase into continuous expansion.
- Product Design: Learners in this course study how to use consumer data to design new products and increase company revenue. The class also covers marketing and product management strategies, which help aspiring entrepreneurs understand the full spectrum of product design and development.
- Small Business Management: Entrepreneurs own small businesses, so it’s necessary for them to understand the legalities and responsibilities of these enterprises. This course introduces the foundations of business management, including forming a company, filing taxes, and marketing.
- Change Management: Typically offered as an elective, this class teaches students how to manage changes that improve policies, processes, and operations. Enrollees learn how to identify the need for changes and how to implement them efficiently.
Cost for an Online MBA in Entrepreneurship
The tuition for an online MBA in entrepreneurship generally falls between $12,000 and $19,000 for a typical program — between $300 and $650 per credit.
However, several factors can influence the cost of this degree. For example, private schools often charge higher tuition than public institutions. A reputable, widely recognized school may also charge more than a lesser-known institution.
Additionally, where a student lives can affect how much they pay. Out-of-state learners at public schools sometimes pay higher tuition rates than in-state students, though some online programs charge all enrollees the same rate. Textbooks and fees can also increase the overall cost of an online MBA in entrepreneurship.
Degree-seekers should explore financial aid options to help pay their tuition. These funding sources can include federal or school-sponsored grants and scholarships, which do not require repayment. Loans can also help finance an MBA, but they require repayment with interest.
How Do You Choose the Best MBA in Entrepreneurship Degree?
Finding the best online MBA in entrepreneurship can be a challenging process. Aspiring enrollees must choose the right MBA that fits their needs, interests, and goals while also ensuring that the degree provides the academic rigor necessary for career preparation and success. In addition to accreditation, students should consider the following factors when comparing entrepreneurship MBAs:
- Program Prestige: How well is the MBA program recognized within the business industry?
- Student-Teacher Ratio: Does the program offer small class sizes for more individualized attention from instructors?
- Program Length: Can students attend part time or full time? Is there an accelerated option to complete the degree sooner?
- Staff Credentials: Do instructors have real-world business experience? How well do their areas of expertise align with your interests?
- Student Resources: What resources — like tutoring, career services, and the library — can online students access during the program?
- Future Education Opportunities: Does the school offer additional education opportunities in entrepreneurship or business, like doctoral degrees or postgraduate certificates?
More FAQs About Online MBA Programs in Entrepreneurship
An online MBA in entrepreneurship has the same level of academic rigor as a general MBA. These graduate-level degrees can be challenging, but staying organized and managing your time well can help you succeed. If you can easily comprehend mathematical, financial, economic, and leadership concepts, you may thrive in an entrepreneurship online MBA.