In this article, we present the top 20 best deals for on-campus and online entrepreneurship bachelor’s degrees. Now, initially we wanted to do a ranking of 10 or more online entrepreneurship bachelor’s degrees, but unfortunately there just weren’t enough of them to choose from. So we decided to put together a ranking that integrates both on-campus and online entrepreneurship degrees. This allows you to evaluate your online options when compared to the in-person options and make an informed choice. Online degrees aren’t for everybody, but they are a great way to save money. So if that’s an important goal for you, then the online entrepreneurship degrees we feature in this ranking are definitely worth a close look.
#1. Brigham Young University
Website
Score: 100
BYU’s Marriott School of Business offers a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management. The program’s courses cover a variety of crucial subjects, including:
- compensation, benefits, and performance management
- ethics for management
- professional selling and sales management
- managing new ventures and family business
- commercializing innovation
- entrepreneurial innovation
- entrepreneurial analytics.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #80
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $680,000
- Tuition: $5,970
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 75%
#2. Grove City College
Website
Score: 89.99
Grove City is a liberal arts college that offers students of different majors opportunities to collaborate with each other. Each brings the strengths of their individual majors to the table through their Habbershon Family Innovation Zone. The Christian college takes a faith-focused redemptive approach to entrepreneurship. It integrates the Christian concept of redemption into the entrepreneurial process. The goal is to have a positive impact on the world.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #113
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $505,000
- Tuition: $18,930
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 92%
#3. Oregon Institute of Technology (Online)
Website
Score: 89.37
Recent OIT graduates from the online entrepreneurship bachelor’s have been employed by companies like:
- IBM
- Intel
- Boeing
- Uber
- Universal Studios
The career paths open to graduates of this program include:
- business manager
- business analyst
- marketing research analyst
- public relations specialist
- business developer
- account executive
- human resource manager.
- U.S. News Ranking: Regional West #10
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $667,000
- Tuition: $31,379
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 77%
#4. Florida State University
Website
Score: 85.45
Florida State University established the first stand-alone college of entrepreneurship in the United States. Undergraduates can major in:
- commercial entrepreneurship
- STEM entrepreneurship
- retail entrepreneurship.
The curriculum is collaboratively designed by full-time FSU faculty and entrepreneurs in residence. Students take courses like:
- entrepreneur’s guide to accounting
- corporate social responsibility
- negotiations
- measuring financial success
- go-to market strategies.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #58
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $345,000
- Tuition: $18,786
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 89%
#5. Iowa State University
Website
Score: 85.18
Iowa State University’s entrepreneurship degree is designed to prepare you to start your own business and to be a major asset to any company you join in the meantime. Students can also choose to double major in entrepreneurship and another major. This means that if you have an idea of what sort of business you want to start, you can major in that area in addition to the bachelor’s in entrepreneurship.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #118
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $461,000
- Tuition: $24,504
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 92%
#6. University of South Florida (online)
Website
Score: 82.03
The University of South Florida offers many, but not all, of the courses in its bachelor’s of entrepreneurship online. The program contains many experiential learning opportunities like:
- business plan and pitch competitions
- student innovation incubators
- internships
- study abroad programs focused on entrepreneurship
- chamber of commerce events
- activities at the Greenhouse Entrepreneurial Academy.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #103
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $361,000
- Tuition: $17,324
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 85%
#7. University of Minnesota – Duluth
Website
Score: 80.21
The entrepreneurship bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota – Duluth has a 100% placement rate for graduates. The program prepares students to:
- start their own business
- manage a family business
- engage in social entrepreneurship
- work with non-profit organizations in administration and management positions.
Current graduates are working under job titles like:
- executive marketing assistant
- national account manager
- business development manager
- self-employed small business owner.
- U.S. News Ranking: Regional Midwest #39
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $378,000
- Tuition: $18,776
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 91%
#8. University of Houston
Website
Score: 77.75
The University of Houston offers a BBA in entrepreneurship with courses like:
- introduction to entrepreneurship
- revenues
- costs
- capital
- entrepreneurial perspectives
- implementation.
There are also certificates available in:
- corporate entrepreneurship
- social entrepreneurship
- technology entrepreneurship.
Only 35-40 students are admitted to the program each year, through a rigorous selection and application process.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #179 (tie)
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $520,000
- Tuition: $21,673
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 71%
#9. Ohio University – Main Campus
Website
Score: 74.78
The entrepreneurship bachelor’s at Ohio University features courses that integrate practical learning through:
- case analysis
- research projects
- team-based projects
- guest speakers.
Students will take courses in:
- entrepreneurial leadership
- entrepreneurial business consulting
- ideation and business models
- theories of entrepreneurship
- social entrepreneurship
- international market assessment and entry.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #179 (tie)
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $343,000
- Tuition: $22,406
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 89%
#10. York College of Pennsylvania
Website
Score: 73.99
The bachelor’s in entrepreneurship and innovation at York College of Pennsylvania features internship and work experiences. It also has mentorships and resources like the J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship. The program features key courses like:
- introduction to entrepreneurship
- entrepreneurship and small business management
- creativity and innovation
- financing entrepreneurial ventures
- business plan writing.
U.S. News Ranking: Regional North #93
20yr Net Return on Investment: $339,000
Tuition: $21,700
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 90%
#11. Rowan University
Website
Score: 73.63
Rowan University features an AACSB-accredited bachelor’s in entrepreneurship degree. It helps students understand economic, social, political, and environmental factors and how they impact the global business market. Graduates will be qualified for jobs in:
- consulting
- internal auditing
- small business managing
- management
Entrepreneurship students in this program have interned and worked at companies like:
- Shoemaker Entertainment
- Venture Apps
- Wealth Ladder Investments
- Merrill Lynch
- Scottrade
- Target.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #187
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $347,000
- Tuition: $21,971
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 87%
#12. University of North Dakota
Website
Score: 73.33
The University of North Dakota offers an AACSB-accredited BBA with a major in entrepreneurship. Students have access to elective courses like:
- small and family business
- social entrepreneurship
- sustainability
- UAS
- new product development.
92% of graduates are employed or in grad school. Recent graduates have an average starting salary of $45,000 per year.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #258
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $384,000
- Tuition: $14,546
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 88%
#13. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Website
Score: 70.93
Shippensburg University’s BSBA in entrepreneurship can lead to career opportunities in:
- corporate entrepreneurship
- independent entrepreneurship
- family business
- social entrepreneurship
This program has a 100% employment rate for graduates. Entrepreneurship-related courses in the program include:
- product design and development
- issues in entrepreneurship
- corporate entrepreneurship
- entrepreneurship
- small business management
- human resource management
- labor relations
- negotiation.
- U.S. News Ranking: Regional Universities North #88
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $264,000
- Tuition: $14,272
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 82%
#14. Lake Superior State University
Website
Score: 70.01
LSSU prepares students to start their business by exposing them to all aspects of business. 94% of students find employment soon after graduation. Students have found themselves in careers like:
- franchisee
- small business owner
- small business manager
- small business adviser or counselor
- market researcher
- government worker
- economic development agency affiliate.
U.S. News Ranking: Regional Midwest #46
20yr Net Return on Investment: $202,000
Tuition: $12,744
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 80%
#15. Oklahoma State University – Main Campus
Website
Score: 70.67
Career paths open to Oklahoma State University’s entrepreneurship graduates include new:
- venture creation
- working with or taking over small or family businesses
- working in for-profit and non-profit social ventures
- buying a franchise
- new business development for research and design sectors
Students will have the opportunity to compete in-state and national business plan competitions with prizes up to $40,000. In 2018, Oklahoma State students took first and second place in the state-wide LOVE’s Cup competition.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #187
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $369,000
- Tuition: $24,539
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 78%
#16. Grand Valley State University
Website
Score: 69.98
Students in the Grand Valley State BBA in entrepreneurship program can earn a master’s at the same time as their bachelor’s degree. This means saving both time and money. It also gives graduates an edge over the competition once they graduate. Students will also be able to compete in many business plan and pitch competitions that can help fund the business they plan to start upon graduation.
- U.S. News Ranking: Regional Midwest #28
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $206,000
- Tuition: $18,844
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 84%
#17. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Online)
Website
Score: 69.97
This AACSB-accredited online bachelor’s in entrepreneurship is a cross-disciplinary program. It allows students to select their courses from among 50 different courses in 27 different academic departments. While there are no set class meeting times for this online degree, all students must participate in an internship. The school can help arrange this close to home. Graduates have started their own businesses and worked as:
- managers
- business analysts
- marketing consultants.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #239
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $174,000
- Tuition: $22,563
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 85%
#18. Charleston Southern University (Online)
Website
Score: 69.12
The online bachelor’s in professional studies at Charleston University allows you to create a custom business degree to suit your entrepreneurial ambitions. You can place your emphasis in:
- healthcare administration
- hospitality and tourism
- human resources
- organizational management
- project management
- supply chain management.
The organizational management specialization includes courses in:
- entrepreneurship
- principles of management
- human resources management
- business policy
- organizational behavior
- legal environment of business.
- U.S. News Ranking: Regional South #57
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $103,000
- Tuition: $28,100
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 88%
#19. Sam Houston State University
Website
Score: 66.36
Sam Houston State University is home to a small business development center. It partners with the entrepreneurship program to identify quality internship opportunities for students in the area. Students, in addition to entrepreneurship, can choose a secondary area of focus in an area like:
- accounting
- finance
- human resources
- marketing
- management
- information technology.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #272
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $304,000
- Tuition: $18,552
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 81%
#20. University of South Dakota
Website
Score: 66.24
The University of South Dakota’s BBA degree in innovation and entrepreneurship features courses like:
- interpersonal communication for professionals
- organizational behavior and theory
- entrepreneurial valuation and financing
- new venture planning and development
- new venture creation
- ethics and corporate social responsibility in business
- economics.
There is also a BBA/MBA fast-track option that can knock a year off the total time it normally takes to earn both degrees. This saves students a lot of time and money.
- U.S. News Ranking: National Universities #249
- 20yr Net Return on Investment: $231,000
- Tuition: $12,807
- Graduation/Transfer Rate: 85%
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a business degree and an entrepreneurship degree?
A business degree is more general in its subject matter than an entrepreneurship degree. The purpose of a business degree is to provide a very well-rounded education in all major elements of business. The entrepreneurship degree, on the other hand, takes that general knowledge and focuses on how it can be applied to starting new ventures. This could be in the form of a business, nonprofit, or new ventures from within an existing corporation.
Much of what you will study in an entrepreneurship degree will be more broadly applicable to business contexts outside of starting new ventures. However, you will have a distinct advantage when it comes to starting new ventures. You will already have learned how to apply general business principles and best practices in that particular context.
What are my job prospects with an entrepreneurship degree?
It’s a little difficult to summarize the career potential for those with an entrepreneurship degree because the BLS doesn’t have a lot of hard data regarding this. It’s generally unusual for people to graduate and immediately start their own business. But we can take a look at the median salary and expected job growth in the next 10 years of certain careers particularly suited to those who have studied entrepreneurship.
- Business Analyst: $87,660 Median Salary, 14% Job Growth
- Social and Community Service Manager: $69,600 Median Salary, 15% Job Growth
- Marketing Manager: $141,490 Median Salary, 10% Job Growth
- Market Research Analyst: $65,810 Median Salary, 22% Job Growth
- Human Resources Specialist: $63,490 Median Salary, 10% Job Growth
As you can see, there are a number of good career paths for somebody with an entrepreneurship degree to pursue until starting their own business is feasible. So either way, once you graduate, you will be able to find good opportunities.
How do I finance my entrepreneurship degree?
Well, a good place to start is by picking a school that’s a great deal, like the ones featured in our ranking here. Picking the right school can shave many thousands of dollars off your final bill. Your primary source of financial aid will be your school and the government.
In order to take full advantage of both of these, make sure you fill out your FAFSA as early as possible and submit your college applications as early in the application period as possible. Financial aid, both at the federal and institutional level, is finite. Much is given out on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that the more on top of your game you are, the better your chance of receiving the most financial aid possible.
Keeping your grades up in high school is also a good way to receive merit-based scholarships. However, it’s not the only way. If your high-school grades are somewhat lacking, you can always attend a local community college, then transfer into a major university after a couple of years. This gives you the chance to earn good grades and be eligible for merit-based scholarships upon transfer.
Community colleges are an extremely cheap way to do your first two years of college. Often the tuition can be covered entirely by a single federal grant, making it essentially free.
Does it make sense to major in entrepreneurship as an undergrad student?
This is a good question. Especially if you aren’t necessarily looking to start a business right out of college. The answer differs depending on your goals. If you love innovation and the thrill of starting new ventures, programs, or projects, then entrepreneurship can still serve you better than other business degrees. It will make you an attractive candidate for the kinds of jobs you are likely to apply for.
For example, you’re applying for a job at a nonprofit to head up a new initiative. Your entrepreneurship degree may signal that you are a better candidate than those with a less focused degree. It demonstrates your interest in the kind of work the position entails. Additionally, the degree will have trained you to do specifically the company needs in that position. So, there are great practical reasons that an entrepreneurship degree can be the best choice.
In the end though, your major will serve you best if it’s one you’re interested in that will lead to work you find interesting and engaging. So, pick the degree that appeals to you, and if there’s more than one, double major!
GCD Staff
September 2021
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