10 Best MBA for Entrepreneurship

Did you know that, for start-up companies in the United States, there is a more than 50% failure rate? 

That’s dismal news. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to start a new business—or grow an existing one, it’s tough. 

However, there’s a demand for new businesses in every niche. That’s true for those both small and large. An increasing number of entrepreneurs are considering launching new businesses and new initiatives.

And after all, without motivated, intelligent, and hardworking people like yourself, innovation and economic growth can’t occur.

You want to start a new business. But you’re overwhelmed with all the roadblocks that seem to be in place that prevent you from doing so.

What’s the best way to get around this?

It’s simple. You’ve got to go into the challenge armed with the right knowledge, skills, and connections to be successful.

Earning a a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in any concentration will provide you with the education necessary to overcome the hurdles in starting a business. But if you really want to drive innovation and have a strong entrepreneurial spirit? An MBA in entrepreneurship will give you the unique skills to come out on top. 

But how do you find the perfect program for your needs? There are hundreds—if not thousands—of options out there. The search can be downright overwhelming.

When you’re looking for graduate business education opportunities, business school prestige, hands-on experience, and networking opportunities will outweigh most other factors when you’re trying to find the right degree. 

Look for a degree that will provide you with opportunities to take your education out into the real world. That might be through internships, capstone projects, research, or even fellowship experiences. Many business schools offer access to pitch a thons or hands-on experiences that require students to come up with a launch plan for their business ideas (like the Blank Center, as an example).

Find an online MBA program that is affordable. This should be one that offers things like scholarships and teaching assistantships. The best business schools offer financial aid for MBA entrepreneurship students who are studying both out of state and in state.

Find a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in entrepreneurship that matches your unique learning style and career goals. Take a close look at the classes offered by the program. Look at the credentials of the faculty who will be teaching there. 

Do you crave a more intimate learning experience? Choose a program with a smaller student-to-faculty ratio. Are diverse learning opportunities important to you? You may want to opt for a degree to study abroad.

Do you want to learn how to create a launch plan for your business ideas? Interested in working in the gig economy? Need access to a co working space? Ask questions to help you find the best MBA entrepreneurship degree for your needs.

That’s a lot to consider in your decision-making process! We’re here to help break things down for you in our guide to the best MBA in entrepreneurship degrees. 

You’re busy. You have other commitments to attend to.

Whether you’re working full-time at a start-up or major company, have children or other family members to take care of, or are just simply, plainly, downright busy, there’s no time to waste. So let’s get started with our program rankings of the best entrepreneurship MBA programs out there!

See Also: Top 50 Highest Paying Masters Degrees

What Are the Best MBA in Entrepreneurship Degrees?

We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue. You may not know where to start. The editors of Master’s Programs Guide utilize a unique ranking methodology. It’s based on the following five aspects:

25% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school

25% Graduation Rate: Number of students who start at the university and actually finish there

20% Earnings Potential: Average mid-career salary of school alumni

20% Selectivity: The number of students who apply versus the number who actually get accepted

10% Online Graduate Offerings: The number of programs offered online in each department

At Master’s Programs Guide, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one. We want to help you reach your goals.

Ready to learn more about the best entrepreneurship MBA programs? Let’s get started with our comprehensive program rankings!

See Also: What do Employers Really Think of Your Online Master’s Degree?

10 Best MBA for Entrepreneurship Degrees

#1. University of Houston

MBA in Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurship & Entrepreneurial Finance

Looking for an MBA in entrepreneurship that will enable you to find research and internship opportunities with ease? Look no further than the University of Houston. Houston is one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in the United States. The location of this school makes it easy for you to find opportunities to enhance your education.

Here, there are more than 40 centers. This university is dedicated to research and community initiatives. It’s ranked as one of the best national universities. It’s also one of the best value schools. That’s according to U.S. News & World Report. 

This school is the top provider of higher education in the city of Houston. The University of Houston has low tuition rates. The MBA class options are affordable even for out-of-state students. In state and out of state students will pay the same rates.

This best MBA in entrepreneurship comes in many forms. There’s an evening executive program, a weekend executive MBA program, an EMBA program, and more. It will be easy for you to find the degree that matches your unique learning needs and career goals. 

There are specialized tracks you can pursue within the a Master of Business Administration (MBA). This is one of the best ways to start finding where your passions lie. These include:

• finance
• business analytics
• global energy management
• entrepreneurship

The 30-credit hour MBA in entrepreneurship will allow you to conduct extensive academic research into startup creation and innovation management. 

In these best MBA programs, future entrepreneurs will be able to participate in a myriad of hands-on experiences. These include internships and tech simulations. You’ll learn firsthand how your actions as a business owner can influence your own firm as well as the rest of the economy. There are business plan competitions and so much more to help future entrepreneurs get their feet wet.

You can complete this program in as little as 12 months. You can choose from more than 35 elective courses to further enhance your degree. 

The program is unique. It focuses on the tech industry. It teaches students via case studies and other types of hands-on experience. They can have all the knowledge they need to start, market, grow, and diversify a firm. As you learn, you’ll work with an assigned mentor. They will help you apply your coursework to your business idea or business. 

#2.  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Full-Time MBA Entrepreneurship Concentration

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public university. It opened in 1789. It is a large university with a wide array of the best MBA programs and student activities. It is divided into a number of schools and colleges. The university is home to one of the top business schools in the nation—the Kenan-Flagler Business School. 

The a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Kenan-Flagler is a competitive degree. It is one of the best at helping students land long-term careers. The entrepreneurship concentration is a nine-credit-hour specialization. These best MBA programs will teach you everything you need to know about launching new businesses and new initiatives. Graduate students will take classes like:

• how to start a new venture and working with venture capitalists
• how to add employees or grow a venture
• how to address the ethical concerns faced by all entrepreneurs in modern society

You can complete this degree in just two years. That’s while studying on a part-time basis. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a job after you graduate, either. The program pairs each student with personalized and robust career services. That’s true even if you decide to take your studies online!

The Entrepreneurship Center (referred to as the Eship Center) is a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship at the university. You’ll take a variety of electives and pursue numerous activities. These will help you build an entrepreneurial mindset as you complete your degree. You can participate in the Adams Apprenticeship or do research in the Small Business Technology Development Center. You can even participate in business plan competitions as part of this MBA program.

There are all kinds of opportunities to choose from here. These opportunities offer aspiring entrepreneurs one of the best ways to start finding their passions.

#3.  Temple University

MBA Concentration in Entrepreneurship 

Temple University is a large college in Philadelphia, PA. It opened in 1884. This school has a solid reputation for quality entrepreneurship MBA programs. It also has a thriving campus life. It’s home to the Temple Owls. This is a group of teams who compete in the NCAA Division I conference. There are dozens of research centers and institutes. 

Temple University has an MBA program that is ranked as one of the best degrees in the country. It’s known for being one of the top business schools for MBA students in the nation.

There are many concentrations available within this degree for aspiring entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurship specialization is one of the most innovative. The university operates a special Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute at the Philadelphia campus. You can conduct research on entrepreneurship and engage in hands-on entrepreneurial activities. They are sure to lead you toward career success.

This best MBA in entrepreneurship is a state-funded program, this top MBA degree is affordable with low tuition rates. You’ll take just over two years to complete your degree. That’s when studying on a part-time basis and completing 48 credit hours. Willing to put your nose to the grindstone and study full-time? You could complete it in just 18 months. 

Part and full time students will take classes that teach students topics like:

• statistics
• leadership
• accounting
• venture capital and working with venture capitalists
• launching new initiatives and new businesses
• launching a new business venture
• taking advantage of private equity
• other general business classes

Then, future entrepreneurs be able to take courses in topics related to your entrepreneurial pursuits. You will complete a final capstone course in enterprise consulting. This will allow you to gain hands-on experience in an executive role. The program has a heavy emphasis on research as well. You’ll be able to access plenty of networking opportunities, too.

In these entrepreneurship MBA programs, you’ll work in the more than 21 different institutes and centers at Temple’s Fox Business School. Each of these promotes cutting-edge research in the many areas of management and business. From the Sport Industry Research Center to the Consumer Sensory Innovation Lab, there is something here for everyone!

#4.  Indiana University

Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation (M.B.A.)

Indiana University is a quirky school with a profound reputation for creating some of the best business graduates in the nation. Here, you’ll become a “Hoosier.” What a “Hoosier” is, nobody knows for sure. What is known is that this school offers one of the best MBA degrees in the nation. 

The entrepreneurship MBA programs are offered by the Kelley School of Business. The entrepreneurship and corporate innovation a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an AACSB-accredited online MBA. You’ll learn from qualified, attentive instructors and enjoy affordable tuition rates. The degree is ranked within the top five in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

It has seven different majors (including entrepreneurship, of course). The curriculum consists of more than 50% electives. You can customize your learning experience. You’ll get the deep specialization you’re looking for in a master’s degree. 

Most MBA students will complete their studies in as little as two years. A part-time student may take three or four. You’ll complete a broad MBA core curriculum. That’s along with entrepreneurship courses totaling no more than 12 credit hours of study. You will focus on topics like how to grow and start a business. You’ll learn how to manage human resources, and much more.

This degree has excellent career outcomes. More than 64% of all MBA students in the a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program receive promotions while still enrolled in the degree. The rest enjoy a mean base salary of $122,000 after graduation. You can’t beat those kinds of results!

#5.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation (E&I) Track

This school is home to another one of the best MBAs for entrepreneurship. It is just outside of Boston in Cambridge, MA. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a school that focuses primarily on scientific and technological research. It is divided into five schools. The university is known for its extensive research expenditures in these areas. They total more than $700 million a year!

However, it’s not just math and science that help make MIT the school it is today. The school also has a heavy emphasis on its business programs. The Sloan School of Management is one of the country’s premier business schools. It is home to a quality MBA that has an entrepreneurship and innovation track. 

The entrepreneurship MBA programs are two-year, full-time programs. The a Master of Business Administration (MBA) promotes intellectual discovery. It is taught by expert faculty. You’ll be able to have the flexibility you need to customize your coursework to meet your goals. You can choose electives and real-world learning opportunities that will prepare you with the skills you need to act upon your dreams. 

In the very first semester, you’ll begin learning with a cohort of MBA students that is then divided into smaller teams. You’ll move through your courses with your team. This enables you to benefit from a strong, supportive bond throughout the entirety of your MBA program. 

You’ll take core classes like:

• Communication for Leaders
• Financial Accounting
• Economic Analysis for Business Decisions

Then, you can choose a specialization or track that helps you hone in on your more specific goals. You can also choose from tracks in enterprise management and finance. 

#6.  University of South Florida

MBA in Entrepreneurship Specialization

Also known as USF, the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL has multiple campuses throughout the state. You can study in Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and more. No matter where you study, you’ll find that the entrepreneurship MBA programs here are the perfect fit to help you meet your career goals. 

This school is a leader in regional higher education. The University of South Florida is also a top school to consider if you want to pursue online programs. The MBA is available both on-campus as well as in a remote setting. Both offer affordable tuition rates and AACSB-accredited prestige.

In this AACSB accredited online MBA, Florida MBA students receive an in-state tuition discount. All MBA students will find that they are able to graduate from this top a Master of Business Administration (MBA)program with lower student debt than average.

The nine-credit concentration in entrepreneurship is an excellent choice if you want to start out on your own in the world of business. You’ll learn everything from how to secure funding to how to develop a strong, recession-proof marketing strategy. You’ll also learn how to grow your company through both sales and employment.

Core classes in the entrepreneurship MBA programs include:

• Exit Strategies
• New Product Development
• Strategic Market Assessment
• Fundamentals of Venture Capital and Private Equity

Aren’t sure that the specialization in entrepreneurship is the right fit for you? Don’t worry. This school also has an exceptional Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship that may work well for you.

#7.  Oklahoma State University

MBA Concentration in Entrepreneurship

This school is located in Stillwater, OK. Oklahoma State University is a public institution with a larger-than-life personality. The school is home to dozens of majors. That’s along with more than 400 different student organizations you can join. Of course, it’s here that you’ll find another one of the best MBA for entrepreneurship programs, too.

This is a flagship public university. Oklahoma State University offers a competitive MBA. It’s ranked in the top 40 MBA programs worldwide by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to the specialization in entrepreneurship that can be found within the MBA degree, this school also has a separate School of Entrepreneurship. It focuses on research and instruction in this diverse field. 

This school has helped the school earn a reputation as a school that is instrumental in the creation of new firms. Its research has been integral in the expansion of tech startups around the country over the last few years. Full time students will have access to all kinds of hands-on experiences. This will give you the skills you need to start your own business and to explore countless networking opportunities.

The a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in entrepreneurship here can be completed on campus. There are also online programs for aspiring MBA students to consider.

MBA class completion take as little as two years, even if you’re studying on a part-time basis. You’ll take approximately 33 to 36 credit hours. That depends on whether you choose to study in Stillwater, in Tulsa, or pursue the online programs.

You’ll take 12 credit hours of core entrepreneurship concentration courses. You’ll learn from successful entrepreneurs about subjects like:

• Venture Capital
• Launching a Business: The First 100 Days
• Ideation, Creativity, and Innovation

Of course, you’ll also take the core business fundamentals and professional development courses that help give these MBA programs their strong reputation. You will be able to access all of the resources of the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, too. It has incubation spaces, pitch-and-poster competitions (also known as pitch a thons), and experienced mentors on staff.

#8.  Texas A&M University-Commerce

MBA in Entrepreneurship

Texas A&M University is a top public university. It’s ranked as one of the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. It opened in 1889. This rural school is ranked as a top national university, a top public school, and one of the top performers on social mobility. Those accolades speak for themselves! 

If you want to combine value and prestige in your graduate degree, you won’t find a better option than Texas A&M University-Commerce. This school has a campus just north of Dallas. It offers one of the country’s most affordable MBA in entrepreneurship degrees. 

Tuition rates are priced at about half the rate of regular a Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. That’s regardless of whether you are in-state or out-of-state. You can even take classes online for maximum flexibility!

You will take around 36 credit hours of courses in these MBA programs. This depends on the specific classes you take in the school of business.

When you choose the entrepreneurship track, you’ll benefit from a core education in business management. That’s along with training in the economics of starting and running a company. You’ll also learn how to competitively position your product or service in an economy dominated by larger, more established corporations. 

Students interested in building their entrepreneurial skills will get a lot out of this program. You can compete in business plan competitions and work on research in the entrepreneurship center. Aspiring entrepreneurs will even be able to participate in events like pitch a thons. Many MBA graduates go on to start their own businesses. And these opportunities aren’t limited to older students, either. Even first year MBA students can participate in these unique business challenges and experiences.

#9.  University of Massachusetts at Amherst

MBA with Entrepreneurship Focus 

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst is the central location for the state school system. It has a large enrollment of more than 31,000 students. Many of them are graduate students pursuing a business education. You can also take campuses at nearby liberal arts colleges like Smith College, Hampshire College, Amherst College, and Mount Holyoke College. That’s great if you’re looking for a more intimate learning experience.

There are more than 100 majors to choose from and the school of business offers the best MBA programs. It won’t be hard for you to find what you’re looking for. You can take classes from this school both on-campus as well as online. This is through the UMass Amherst University Without Walls. The a Master of Business Administration (MBA)degree is meant to be completed on-campus to provide the most benefit in hands-on learning.

This is one of the largest a Master of Business Administration degrees (MBA) in the country. The MBA with an entrepreneurship focus at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is a profound MBA program that will expose you to the core fundamentals of entrepreneurship as well as leadership. You’ll take about nine credit hours of study. They will explore how to best navigate a complex marketplace, how to grow a firm, and more.

Core program requirements for the MBA programs include:

• Corporate Real Estate
• Project Management, Negotiations Theory and Practice
• Sustainable Product Innovation

The school is top-ranked by the U.S. News & World Report. The a Master of Business Administration (MBA) received top marks from this publication both for its quality and overall value. These online MBA programs are some of the best for MBA students interested in taking their careers to the next level.

#10.  Florida International University

Professional MBA (PMBA) Flex in Entrepreneurship and  Innovation Specialization

You’ll find one of the best business schools for entrepreneurship at FIU.

Florida International University is a public university. It opened in 1972. It is a young university. However, it’s done a lot in its few short years. It has a student enrollment of more than 58,000 learners. They are spread out among two main campuses in North Miami and in West Miami-Dade County. 

Another one of the top a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in entrepreneurship degrees is the one offered by Florida International University. It is known as the Professional MBA Flex program, or PMBA. The degree is fast-paced and vigorous. It allows you to earn your degree in just 20 months. You can advance in your profession as soon as possible. It combines on-campus learning with online flexibility. You’ll attend classes one evening a week in Miami’s financial district along with online courses. 

There is a specialization in entrepreneurship for these MBA programs. This MBA program also has available concentrations in:

• finance
• leadership
• real estate
• international business
• marketing channel strategy

All Fortune 500 companies are recruiting graduate students from these concentrations. That makes it one of the most effective degrees of its kind. 

This MBA program features a generous $10,000 scholarship. This is available to online and on-campus graduate students alike. The MBA program is easy to apply to. There is a full GMAT waiver and lots of concentration options. The entrepreneurship program includes up to 12 credit hours of concentration courses. That’s in addition to baseline business classes. 

It is unique from other a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in entrepreneurship degrees. It focuses on the management of a startup firm and on tech innovation. It’s ranked as one of the best online MBAs in the south. It’s also one of the most affordable, according to U.S. News & World Report. MBA graduates will find success in this program. That’s regardless of whether you choose to study online or on-campus. 

OTHER NOTABLE MBA PROGRAMS

#11. University of California-Berkeley Haas School of Business

Location: Berkeley, CA

Degree: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship

Net Price: $14,476

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#12. Ohio State University

Location: Columbus, OH

Degree: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship 

Net Price: $12,997

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#13. Ball State University

Location: Muncie, IN

Degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurial Leadership

Net Price: $11,642

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#14. Harvard Business School

Location: Cambridge, MA

Degree: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship 

Net Price: $54,032

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#15. Fayetteville State University 

Location: Fayetteville, NC

Degree: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship

Net Price: $6,136

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admissions requirements for the top entrepreneurship programs?

Admissions requirements for all a Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs vary depending on the business school to which you are applying. Because of this, it’s a good idea to get in touch with the admissions department at your school of choice ahead of time. That way, you can get filled in on all of the university’s specific requirements in the school of business as well as any deadlines you need to be aware of. If you can, pay the campus a visit! That’s the best way to see if a school is right for you.

MBA students interested in higher education should take the time to note deadlines and requirements. All the business schools on this list are different. You don’t want to make a mistake by not reading things through!

In general, most universities and school of business programs require graduate students to submit undergraduate transcripts evidencing a GPA of a minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. You may be asked to have a background in business or a related field, though this isn’t always necessary as some schools will allow you to make up for this simply by taking a few extra classes in your MBA. 

You’ll also need to submit supplemental documents to the school of business, like GMAT scores (in most cases), a resume, letters of recommendation, and a written personal statement. The resume is often a key requirement since some schools like to see that you have several years’ worth of work experience in a business-related industry before attending graduate school. 

What is the best MBA entrepreneurship – no GMAT required? 

The GMAT is a common requirement for most MBA programs, such as the ones at Stanford University. A school of business will use this test to help them to gauge candidates against each other.

However, more and more school of business admissions’ are minimizing (or foregoing entirely) the need for applicants to report GMAT schools. Some of the top schools that do not require a GMAT or a similar test, like the GRE, include:

• University of Southern California
• Boston University
• University of Tennessee
• Southern Methodist University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• University of California (select campuses)

Other business schools offer a waiver, like the University of Michigan Ross School of Management.

What are the subjects in an MBA in entrepreneurship?

The exact courses that you will take as part of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in entrepreneurship will vary. However, you’ll often complete a core MBA course in things like economics, project management, accounting, finance, and leadership.

If you choose an entrepreneurship concentration, you will take classes that cover subjects like:

• venture feasibility
• legal structures in a new business
• entrepreneurial strategies
• venture capital
• designing the best co working space
• launching your own business and how to create a launch plan
• key entrepreneurial skills and business challenges
• product design and marketing
• leveraging private equity
• social innovation 
• writing a business plan
• business challenges
• entrepreneurship in the gig economy

The best way for MBA students to figure out what to study is to talk to their advisor.

What are the best business schools for entrepreneurship?

Going to business school (aka a “B-School” by those in the know!) and pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in entrepreneurship is a great way for you to channel your creativity and translate your hard-working nature into the career of a lifetime.  If you want to launch your business or even just gain the skills you need to work in any management or leadership position, you will want to study at one of the best business schools.

In addition to the schools we’ve ranked highly in this post, such as the University of Houston and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill), you may want to consider top schools like:

• Stanford University
• Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Business
• Babson College (which is home to the famous Blank Center for Entrepreneurship in Babson Park)
• University of California-Berkeley Haas School of Business
• London Business School
• University of San Francisco School of Business
• University of Michigan Ross School of Business
• Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business (check out the Penn Wharton Innovation Fund if you want to learn more!)

All of these universities are home to business schools that will help you knock your goals right out of the park!

IF YOU ENJOYED THAT THEN CHECK OUT OUR ARTICLES ON THE BEST AFFORDABLE ONLINE MASTER’S IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & BEST AFFORDABLE ONLINE MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING!