Best Colleges for Entrepreneurship Degrees
Are you interested in starting your own business? A bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship can prepare you for various opportunities in business and other fields, including starting new ventures or improving existing companies.
Explore some of the best colleges for entrepreneurship bachelor’s programs with our list of top-ranked schools. Our guide covers what to expect from a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship, including typical program admission requirements, classes, and costs. We also describe job opportunities for entrepreneurship graduates.
Top Colleges for Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Founded in 1962, Lynn offers an online bachelor of science in entrepreneurship. Students can complete the program in about four years.
The program prepares students to launch a new business or grow an existing one. Course topics include management and leadership, finance and economics, mergers and acquisitions, and business analytics.
Students can apply for one of three start dates per year. The school allows students to transfer up to 75% of the credits required to complete the degree. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent to qualify for admission. Transfer students with more than 12 credits must submit transcripts from any previously attempted coursework.
- In-State$38,650
- Out-of-state$38,650
- In-State$13,500
- Out-of-state$13,500
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled3,520
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
Northwood University
- Midland, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Founded in 1959, NU offers an online bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship. Students complete 126 credits without needing to come to campus.
Course topics include principles of management, fundamentals of managerial accounting, entrepreneurial marketing, new venture finance, and business law. Students must also complete general courses such as statistics, ethics, an introduction to American government, and environmental science.
Applicants need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. The school also requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores for eligibility.
- In-State$29,000
- Out-of-state$29,000
- In-State$37,080
- Out-of-state$37,080
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled2,422
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
Lamar University
- Beaumont, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Founded in 1923, LU offers an online bachelor of business administration in entrepreneurship. Students can complete the program in as few as 48 months.
Courses emphasize data analytics and technology for future entrepreneurs. Students take business core classes for introductions to finance, accounting, economics, marketing, and information systems. Electives focus on helping entrepreneurs develop ideas into products and start a business.
Classes start in June, August, and October. Each online course block lasts eight weeks. Incoming freshmen qualify for unconditional admission with a diploma from an accredited high school, 14 credits in college preparatory courses, and a minimum SAT score of 1080 (ACT score of 21). Students can also qualify by graduating in the top 50% of their class or completing 18 college credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
- In-State$6,228
- Out-of-state$16,020
- In-State$6,471
- Out-of-state$13,815
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled16,914
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
Columbia College
- Columbia, MO
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Founded in 1851, CC offers an online bachelor of science in innovation and entrepreneurship. Students complete 120 credits without needing to set foot on campus.
Core coursework requirements include classes in accounting, macroeconomics, microeconomics, international business, and business law. Required courses for the major include small business finance, introduction to human resource management, and strategic marketing. Learners must also complete a series of electives to complete the degree.
The school allows students to transfer up to 90 credits toward their degree. Applicants need a high school diploma, GED equivalent, or six credits of prior college coursework from an accredited institution.
- In-State$11,636
- Out-of-state$11,636
- In-State$8,442
- Out-of-state$8,826
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled895
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment77%
- AccreditationYes
Franklin University
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Founded in 1902, Franklin offers an online bachelor of science in entrepreneurship. Students can complete the program in about four years, with a generous transfer credit policy offering eligible students an accelerated path.
In addition to general education and elective requirements, students must complete foundational courses in entrepreneurship, including business law, principles of finance, and marketing. Required courses for the major include foundations of entrepreneurship, commercialization of entrepreneurial products and services, and managing micro business and generating funding. Students must also complete an entrepreneurship capstone course and required electives to complete the degree.
The school allows students to transfer up to 94 eligible credits toward their degree, including up to 28 credits for previously earned certifications, licensure, or employment.
- In-State$9,552
- Out-of-state$9,552
- In-State$16,080
- Out-of-state$16,080
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled6,815
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
What Is a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship?
A bachelor’s in entrepreneurship is a business-focused degree that can help students learn to start or expand businesses or organizations, get funding, and create business plans. Entrepreneurship programs, typically offered through business colleges, focus on innovation, leadership, and fundamental business skills.
Entrepreneurship programs usually include core business classes and major entrepreneurship coursework. Enrollees also must meet general education requirements. Some schools offer online MBA in entrepreneurship programs for individuals interested in attending graduate school after completing their bachelor’s degrees.
What’s the Difference Between Entrepreneurship and Business Administration Degrees?
A bachelor of business administration (BBA) degree covers general business theory and practices like management, accounting, marketing, and finance. Entrepreneurship is a more focused type of business degree that focuses on developing business ideas, innovation, creativity, and leadership.
There is significant overlap between these two types of programs. Both cover core business principles and can prepare graduates for various business-related jobs. Students who major in entrepreneurship often want to start businesses, but this is also true of business administration majors. Some business administration programs offer entrepreneurship as a concentration.
What to Expect From a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Program
Bachelor’s in entrepreneurship programs develop business and management skills while emphasizing innovation and collaboration. A full-time student can typically complete a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship program in four years. However, some online schools offer accelerated options that let learners graduate in less time. Most programs require about 120 credits.
The cost of a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship varies by school, but public institutions where you can pay in-state tuition are typically more affordable than private schools. Popular courses for this program explore entrepreneurial management, leading organizations, business policy and strategy management, and sales for entrepreneurs.
In addition to coursework, bachelor’s in entrepreneurship programs may require students to complete entrepreneurship capstone projects or classes to graduate. A capstone occurs in the program’s final semester and allows learners to synthesize their entrepreneurship skills and classroom knowledge.
Accreditation for Online Degrees
Institutional accreditation indicates that a college meets minimum quality standards related to academic programs, faculty qualifications, and student resources. Accrediting bodies approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation provide their stamp of approval to colleges and universities. Attending an institutionally accredited school is important to qualify for federal financial aid.
The best colleges for entrepreneurship may offer degrees with programmatic accreditation. Look for entrepreneurship programs accredited by the following programmatic accrediting agencies:
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education
Students can find accreditation information for their school and program at the U.S. Department of Education’s and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s databases.
Undergraduate Admissions Process
Admission requirements for bachelor’s in entrepreneurship programs include a high school diploma or its equivalent and a minimum GPA that varies by school. Some colleges also require SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and essays. Most schools ask applicants to submit their materials online, which typically requires an application fee.
Although not usually required for a bachelor’s program, you might increase your chances of acceptance if you can demonstrate previous business experience through a part-time job, internship, or volunteer position. Some schools may require admission interviews in person or on the phone.
Curriculum for Entrepreneurship Programs
The variety and type of courses available in entrepreneurship programs vary by school. Most programs require core, elective, and capstone credits. Below, we describe some popular courses you might encounter in an entrepreneurship program.
- Entrepreneurial Management: This core course covers the foundations of entrepreneurship, including growth management, strategic planning, and startup management.
- Leading Organizations: Entrepreneurship majors learn about effective organizational leadership, including leadership development and research processes.
- Financing Entrepreneurship: This class explores various methods of funding entrepreneurial ventures. Students learn to create business plans and identify the best available options to become or remain financially solvent.
- Technology and Innovation in Entrepreneurship: This elective course provides an introduction to using technology that enhances the entrepreneurial process. Key topics include fostering innovation and using modern technological tools in entrepreneurial ventures.
Cost for an Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship
The cost of earning an online degree in entrepreneurship varies significantly by school. Factors that affect the price of a degree include school prestige, public vs. private status, and residency. Generally, students can find more affordable options by choosing public schools where they qualify for in-state tuition rates.
Attending a public university as an out-of-state student can be quite expensive. However, many online public universities allow fully online students to pay the same tuition rate no matter where they live.
In addition to tuition, students may incur other costs while earning their degrees, including housing, transportation, health insurance, and textbooks/supplies.
Financing options for online bachelor’s in entrepreneurship programs include federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, and student loans.
Choosing the Best College for an Entrepreneurship Degree
To find the best colleges for entrepreneurship, prospective students should consider the following key factors:
Accreditation: Any prospective school should hold institutional accreditation. The best entrepreneurship bachelor’s programs may also hold separate programmatic accreditation.- Internship Opportunities: Many programs allow learners to get hands-on experience in the field while still in school. If this is important to you, prioritize programs that provide internship opportunities.
- Location: Even if you enroll in an online program, a school’s geographic location may be important. Some programs require you to visit campus to take tests, use the library, or meet with classmates.
- Cost/Financial Aid: Students should think about their budget to develop a sense of how much they can reasonably spend on an entrepreneurship degree. Apply for financial aid opportunities to help fund your education.
Jobs for Graduates With Entrepreneurship Degrees
Entrepreneurship graduates with bachelor’s degrees may qualify for various high-paying careers. No degree guarantees a specific career or job, but entrepreneurship graduates can pursue careers as executives, human resources managers, and sales managers. These roles all earn annual median salaries of more than $100,000.
The chart below highlights potential careers for graduates with bachelor’s degrees in entrepreneurship.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Minimum Degree Required |
|---|---|---|
| Top Executives | $103,840 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Human Resources Managers | $136,350 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Sales Managers | $135,160 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers | $156,580 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Financial Managers | $156,100 | Bachelor’s degree |
Organizations for Graduates With Entrepreneurship Degrees
- Entrepreneurs’ Organization: This group connects entrepreneurs in 86 countries and provides business opportunities. Membership benefits include local and global executive education, networking events, and leadership training.
- TiE Global Network: Founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley, this organization encourages entrepreneurship through networking, mentorship, funding, and education. The group aims to launch the next generation of entrepreneurs.
- U.S. Small Business Administration: Started in 1953, SBA provides funding, education, and outreach to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the United States. SBA helps people start and expand their businesses.
FAQ About the Best Online Colleges for Entrepreneurship
An entrepreneur typically needs at least a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship or general business to qualify for popular careers like top executive, sales manager, human resources manager, or financial manager. Students who want to learn new skills and advance their careers can consider pursuing MBAs with a concentration in entrepreneurship.
