Best Entrepreneurship MBA Programs

	School	Tuition*	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
1	University of Pennsylvania	$40182	8%	96%	59%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
2	Texas A & M University-College Station	$10173	58%	82%	76%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
3	Duke University	$56888	8%	95%	63%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
4	The University of Texas at Dallas	$13874	79%	70%	78%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
5	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus	$8460	70%	65%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits
6	University of Delaware	$34956	71%	81%	88%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
7	Southern Methodist University	$47256	47%	81%	82%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
8	University of South Florida-Main Campus	$10428	48%	75%	93%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
9	University of Massachusetts-Lowell	$15160	73%	66%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
10	Temple University	$17846	60%	74%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
11	The University of Tampa	$11546	45%	58%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
12	University of San Francisco	$25810	64%	75%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits
13	Lehigh University	$27130	32%	90%	69%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
14	Central Michigan University	$17150	70%	61%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits
15	Northwestern University	$56567	9%	94%	64%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
16	California Lutheran University	$19556	71%	68%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
17	Eastern Michigan University	$19012	74%	46%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
18	Suffolk University	$39477	84%	58%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits
19	Northeastern University	$25085	18%	89%	78%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits
20	Lenoir-Rhyne University	$10980	78%	52%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits
21	Syracuse University	$40188	44%	83%	82%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.

*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Applicants to MBA in Entrepreneurship programs can have backgrounds from a wide range of fields, as a specific degree is not usually required. However, it is also common for those interested in studying entrepreneurship to already have some background in business. Applicants may have earned a bachelor's degree in an array of business-related areas, such as business administration, finance, economics, and more. There are also some Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs in entrepreneurship available.

Admissions standards vary for different MBA in Entrepreneurship programs, and therefore, students need to carefully look at the instructions for their school(s) of interest. Typically, applicants to these programs are required to have at least a bachelor's degree. Some of these MBA programs require students to take the GRE or GMAT, while other programs do not. It is also common, and sometimes preferred, for applicants to have some prior work experience before earning their MBA. The admissions process is different for every school, with some schools wanting students to work with an admissions counselor and others including an interview process. Application materials for these MBA programs could include transcripts, a resume, recommendations, and essay responses.

Several MBA programs in entrepreneurship boast high levels of graduates who go on to start and run their own businesses. This is because an MBA provides students with both the necessary business skills and knowledge, as well as leadership skills. An MBA is also a flexible degree that can open the door to a wide range of business-related careers, increasing job prospects for graduates. Finally, many MBA in Entrepreneurship programs include hands-on experiences that give students practical training and could also help them network with established businesses and contacts.

Choosing an MBA in Entrepreneurship that is the right fit comes down to several personal factors and preferences. Many students need to consider the location, format, and cost of a program. For instance, working students may need a program that is close to home and allows them to take classes part-time or in an online format to work around their schedule. Tuition rates and financial aid availability can also affect students' choice of school. Other more degree-specific factors to consider include course options and available resources and experiences. For example, some MBA in Entrepreneurship programs offer additional tracks to help students focus their studies. There are also some schools that have entrepreneurship-related centers that provide competitions and other hands-on learning experiences for students, such as creating business plans for real organizations.

Accreditation is another important factor to consider when choosing a program, as employers tend to prefer graduates from accredited institutions and/or programs. While many colleges and universities hold regional accreditation, only some programs hold program-level accreditation. Accreditation at the regional level indicates a general level of quality and also allows students to accept financial aid and transfer credits more easily. Program-level accreditation is typically subject-specific and meets academic standards that are relevant to the field, which tends to better prepare graduates for their future careers. Several MBA in Entrepreneurship degree programs are accredited by business-related organizations, such as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

MBA in Entrepreneurship courses can range from 30 to 42 credits of coursework. Some programs can be completed on a full- or part-time basis and typically take 1 to 2 years to complete. The curriculum for these programs usually consists of core MBA courses in various areas of business and concentration courses in entrepreneurship, including some entrepreneurship-related electives. Through these different courses students further develop their business and leadership skills to prepare for their future. Explore details of the coursework for these MBA programs here.

MBA in Entrepreneurship Foundational Courses

Core MBA courses aim to give students a strong overview of different areas of business while focusing on the perspective of a manager and leader. Typically, schools have a set of core MBA courses that are standard across all of their concentrations, including entrepreneurship and other areas. These core courses generally take up a majority of the required credits for the degree, such as 21 credits of core courses out of 30 total required credits. Although specific course titles vary by college and university, students could potentially take core MBA courses such as:

• Strategic management
• Organizational strategy
• Leading change
• Quality management
• Measuring success in an organization

MBA in Entrepreneurship Specialist & Elective Courses

Depending on the set up of the program, students may take between 5 and 9 credits of coursework in the entrepreneurship concentration. Within these concentration courses, students typically have some required courses and some electives to choose from. These concentration courses in entrepreneurship are designed to equip students with skills in innovation, business management, and business growth. Concentration coursework is unique to the school, but students may be able to take courses such as:

• Investment, financing, and funding
• Entrepreneurship and small business management
• Consulting
• New venture creation
• Managing a growing business
• Social entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurial government contracting strategies
• Technology strategy
• Making markets

Licensure & Certification for an MBA in Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs are not typically required to hold any specific license or certification. However, depending on what their business is, they may need specific licenses to sell different products. Some entrepreneurs choose to pursue different kinds of professional certifications to demonstrate their expertise. These certifications are more common in the field of management, but there is the Entrepreneurship and Small Business certification available from Certiport that requires 150 hours of instruction and an exam. Professionals can also choose to earn management-related certifications, such as the Certified Professional Manager (CPM) credential from CCPC Global or the Certified Professional in Management credential from the American Management Association (AMA).

After graduation, some students desire to pursue additional education in the field to focus on research and begin a career in academia or other advanced positions. For those wanting to study entrepreneurship, students can choose from earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in the field. A DBA is similar to an MBA in that it is broader in nature and covers multiple areas in business, while a PhD is more research-based.

Some of the best careers for entrepreneurs are those that give them the creative ability to innovate and grow an organization. To first gain experience, some of the best jobs for aspiring entrepreneurs are those that provide hands-on training in various areas of business. This allows students to begin developing their leadership skills and ability to identify issues or problems that need to be solved. Earning an MBA in the field further develops these skills, as well as students' ability to strategize ways to address issues of growth and start new ventures. Graduates of MBA programs can go on to work a variety of careers as entrepreneurs, business strategists, consultants, managers, and more. They can also work in a wide range of industries and settings. For example, graduates may work for a:

• Start-up
• Franchise
• Nonprofit organization
• Family enterprise
• Consulting firm

Job Outlook for an MBA in Entrepreneurship

In general, job prospects for MBA in Entrepreneurship graduates are favorable. Many business-related careers have positive job outlooks, and the flexibility of earning an MBA often qualifies students for a wide range of positions. Some of these positions may have a higher rate of growth than others, but those with a background in entrepreneurship can commonly find positions with average or faster than average job outlooks. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the job outlook for top executives from 2019 to 2029 is 4%, which is as fast as the average. The job outlook for financial managers over the same decade is 15%, which is much faster than the average.

How to Become a Top Executive

Entrepreneurs can move into a wide range of top executive positions, which include titles such as chief executive officers (CEOs), general and operations managers, executive directors, chief financial officers (CFOs), and more. They may move into these positions at their current workplace or start a new business venture as one of the leaders. Top executives usually need to have at least a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree, such as an MBA, is common and sometimes preferred or required. These professionals also need to have extensive work experience and commonly work their way up the corporate ladder to their position. Professional license and certification requirements vary by position.

Per the BLS, top executives, in general, made a median annual salary of $106,180 as of 2020, but this varies by position, employer, and other factors. Job duties for these professionals also vary by job title and possibly the size of the organization. For instance, managers in smaller organizations likely have broader responsibilities than those working in a larger company, where they can specialize more. Usually, top executives are responsible for developing big-picture goals and the strategies leading to these goals, as well as overseeing other managers and staff.

How to Become a Financial Manager

Those with a background in entrepreneurship can also pursue a wide range of specialized business careers, such as careers in finance. With their advanced degree, MBA students can often move into management roles quickly, such as a position as a financial manager. Financial managers usually need to have at least a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree can be preferred or required. These managers also need to have at least 5 years of prior work experience in a business-related area. Several professional certifications are available in the field but depend on the kind of position one holds. For instance, there is the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification or the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation.

As of 2020, the BLS reported that the median annual wage for financial managers was $134,180. These managers are responsible for determining how to meet the long-term financial goals of an organization, as well as overseeing the finances. They often manage other financial staff and help upper management make financial decisions. Other job duties include analyzing financial reports, finding ways to cut costs, and monitoring market trends.

Calculating the total cost of earning an MBA in Entrepreneurship needs to include not only tuition but any additional fees, such as graduation and registration fees, as well as course materials and living expenses. All of this adds up quickly, and many students search for various forms of financial aid to help lower the cost that they have to pay out-of-pocket. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in this process to check for any available federal or state loans and grants. Then, students can check with their schools and outside organizations for possible fellowships, scholarships, grants, and other awards. For students in MBA in Entrepreneurship programs, there are several institutions that provide different ways to help cut costs, including:

• University of Pennsylvania- MBA students at UPenn are automatically considered for the Wharton Fellowship that is a 2-year award. The school also offers multiple fellowships for different demographics of students, such as the Forte Fellowships for female students or the Social Impact Fellowships for those involved in the public and not-for-profit sectors.
• Babson College- Babson College also offers a variety of fellowships to help MBA students pay for school, including the Babson MBA Diversity Fellowship that pays full tuition for selected students.