Why This Matters
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THERE ARE 30.7 MILLION SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE U.S.
99.9% of businesses start small, guided by entrepreneurs who leverage their education to build start-ups that bring fresh ideas and products to the public.
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ENTREPRENEURS ARE NEEDED FOR PANDEMIC RECOVERY
Despite a challenging 2020, economic recovery in the U.S. is anticipated for 2021 and beyond, and innovative business owners who can pivot and capitalize on new consumer habits will drive economic growth.
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EARN $70,000 OR MORE ANNUALLY
A successful entrepreneur can make six figures or (much) more, but on average, small business owners earn at least $70,000 in salary in the first years of running their business.
Our Research
This list focuses on graduate programs in entrepreneurship that feature either online or on-campus learning opportunities. The best programs have a broad scope of classes in marketing, accounting, management, and other vital skills needed when starting your own business.
All our chosen programs are accredited by organizations including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The accreditations ensure students that each program has faculty members who are professionals in the field and coursework that has been carefully developed to reflect the needs of the business world.
We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. Our top picks for the best Master’s in Entrepreneurship Degree program are affordable, respected, and flexible. (For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)
- 79 hours to write this article
- 201 universities and colleges we assessed
- 329 education programs we compared
The Top 35 Master’s in Entrepreneurship Degree Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
While many aspiring entrepreneurs opt for an MBA degree, a program specifically geared toward entrepreneurship may offer specialized skills training not found in the more general business degree. An MBA is focused on business as a liberal art, while an entrepreneur program is usually a master’s of science, which views business as a set of applied skills that use scientific methods to start, run, and own a business.
It is hard to predict job growth levels in the world of entrepreneurship. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted business-as-usual and created unprecedented challenges for business owners. Experts, however, are optimistic about long-term recovery and growth in 2021 and beyond, and some may see this period as an opportunity to enter the market as it begins an upswing.
As owner of your own business, there are no credentials required, although some entrepreneurs go on to earn doctorate-level degrees as their business grows. Some business owners become lifelong learners, taking certificate courses as needed while their business grows and expands.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching Entrepreneurship programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Many graduate-level programs are geared toward those who already have a business idea and seek the tools they need to get it off the ground. Others accept students with a business-oriented degree at the undergraduate level. Do your research on your chosen institute’s webpages to see what the requirements are for the program you are interested in.
- How long does it take to complete this degree? Generally, you can complete your entrepreneurship degree in as little as nine months if you attend full-time. However, many students continue to work while taking classes on a part-time basis. In this case, plan on completing the program in two to four years.
A phone call to a school’s admissions office can yield a wealth of information and answer your questions without requiring a commitment on your part. Make sure you’re keeping track of deadlines for applications and other materials — a late application can cost you a place in the incoming class.
You’ll also want to pay attention to financial aid opportunities that are available from each school you’re considering. These may have different deadlines to apply for and may require an essay or other collateral materials. In addition to school financial aid, you may also find grants or school loans through professional organizations you belong to — some time spent researching can yield big dividends.