Top 25 Best Grad Programs for Entrepreneurs in 2019 The Princeton Review, in partnership with Entrepreneur, ranks the top graduate programs at universities.

By Entrepreneur Staff Nov 13, 2018

Share

There are two tracks to entrepreneurship: You can dive in and figure it out (hopefully) as you go, or attend a college or a university dedicated to teaching the tools needed by -- and harnessing the passion of -- entrepreneurs. These classrooms are where tomorrow's CEOs and startup founders focus their drive and, more important, meet the people who can help turn their ideas into reality.

Each year Entrepreneur partners with The Princeton Review to rank the top 25 undergraduate and top 25 graduate schools for entrepreneurs. The annual survey, now in its 13th year, looks at more than 300 colleges and universities in the U.S and abroad and weighs each institution's commitment to provide its students with world-class mentors, professors, and alumni and an environment for budding entrepreneurs to thrive. (To read more about our methodology, pick up our Dec. 2018 issue of Entrepreneur.)

Related: What's Happening on the Entrepreneur Index Right Now

Click on the slideshow to see who made the list for the top 25 grad programs for entrepreneurship.

1. Babson College

Babson Park, Mass.

Tuition:
$69,520
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
36
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
987

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
100%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
678
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$218 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Babson College was established in 1978. It currently offers 36 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 678 companies and have collectively raised $218 million in funding.

Its entire graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

2. University of Chicago

Chicago, Ill.

Tuition:
$59,753
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
35
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
1,803

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
56%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
296
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$552 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at the University of Chicago was established in 1998. It currently offers 35 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 296 companies and have collectively raised nearly $552 million in funding.

Fifty-six percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

3. Rice University

Houston, Texas

Tuition:
$56,097
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
30
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
713

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
83%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
192
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$1.9 billion

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Rice University was established in 2001. It currently offers 30 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 192 companies and have collectively raised over $1.9 billion in funding.

Eighty-three percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, Ill.

Tuition:
$73,074
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
61
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
1,761

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
86%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
173
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$191 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Northwestern University was established in 2003. It currently offers 61 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 173 companies and have collectively raised over $191 million in funding.

Eighty-six percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

5. Columbia University

New York, NY

Tuition:
$71,624
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
24
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
5,000

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
NR
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
644
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$17 billion

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Columbia University was established in 2013. It currently offers 24 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 644 companies and have collectively raised over $17 billion in funding.

6. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas

Tuition:
Out of state: $54,500
In-state: $40,500
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
49
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
466

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
92%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
70
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
NR

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at the University of Texas at Austin was established in 2001. It currently offers 49 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 70 companies

Ninety-two percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

7. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, Va.

Tuition:
Out of state: $67,668
In-state: $65,350
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
30
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
655

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
100%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
151
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$408 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at University of Virginia was established in 1995. It currently offers 30 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 151 companies and have collectively raised over $408 million in funding.

Its entire graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

8. University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Tuition:
Out of state: $64,678
In-state: $59,678
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
60
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
2,449

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
43%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
194
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$129 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at University of Michigan was established in 1999. It currently offers 60 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 194 companies and have collectively raised over $129 million in funding.

Forty-three percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

9. Northeastern University

Boston, Mass.

Tuition:
$44,605
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
60
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
1,956

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
47%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
131
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$12 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Northeastern University was established in 2012. It currently offers 60 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 131 companies and have collectively raised over $12 million in funding.

Forty-seven percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

10. Brigham Young University

Provo, Utah

Tuition:
$13,060
 
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
31
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
531

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
93%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
94
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$217 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Brigham Young University was established in 1989. It currently offers 31 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 94 companies and have collectively raised nearly $217 million in funding.

Ninety-three percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

Related: 5 Schools That Offer Serious Cash for Business Plan Competitions

11. University of Texas, Dallas

Richardson, Texas

Tuition:
Out of state: $31,090
In-state: $15,921
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
28
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
676

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
67%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
392
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$21 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at the University of Texas, Dallas was established in 2005. It currently offers 28 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 392 companies and have collectively raised $21 million in funding.

Sixty-seven percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

12. The University of South Florida

Tampa, Fla.

Tuition:
Out of state: $20,637
In-state: $11,253
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
58
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
704

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
96%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
341
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$17 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at the University of South Florida was established in 2002. It currently offers 58 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 341 companies and have collectively raised $17 million in funding.

Ninety-six percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

13. University of Washington

Seattle, Wash.

Tuition:
Out of state: $49,671
In-state: $34,404
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
52
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
528

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
45%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
208
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$19 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at the University of Washington was established in 1991. It currently offers 52 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 208 companies and have collectively raised over $19 million in funding.

Forty-five percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

14. Syracuse University

Syracuse, N.Y.

Tuition:
$43,346
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
24
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
1,616

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
100%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
90
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
NR

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Syracuse University was established in 1996. It currently offers 24 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 90 companies.

Its entire graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

15. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Tuition:
Out of state: $61,252
In-state: $46,128
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
31
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
726

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
90%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
34
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$21 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was established in 1985. It currently offers 31 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 34 companies and have collectively raised over $21 million in funding.

Ninety percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

16. University of California–San Diego

La Jolla, Calif.

Tuition:
Out of state: $55,546
In-state: $48,961
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
28
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
349

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
57%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
75
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$500 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at University of California San Diego was established in 2012. It currently offers 28 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 75 companies and have collectively raised $500 million in funding.

Fifty-seven percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

17. University of Rochester

Rochester, N.Y.

Tuition:
$47,212
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
35
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
359

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
77%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
105
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$41 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at University of Rochester was established in 2006. It currently offers 35 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 105 companies and have collectively raised nearly $41 million in funding.

Seventy-seven percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

Related: The 5 Grad Schools With the Most Opportunities for Mentorship

18. Washington University in St. Louis

St. Louis, Mo.

Tuition:
$55,385
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
33
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
479

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
69%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
58
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$100 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Washington University in St. Louis was established in 2003. It currently offers 33 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 58 companies and have collectively raised over $100 million in funding.

Sixty-nine percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

19. University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Tuition:
Out of state: $31,225
In-state: $30,400
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
19
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
303

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
88%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
107
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$11 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at University of Utah was established in 2002. It currently offers 19 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 107 companies and have collectively raised over $11 million in funding.

Eighty-eight percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

20. DePaul University

Chicago, Ill.

Tuition:
$24,960
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
43
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
440

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
54%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
131
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$10 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at DePaul University was established in 2003. It currently offers 43 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 131 companies and have collectively raised nearly $10 million in funding.

Fifty-four percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

21. Saint Louis University

St. Louis

Tuition:
$52,475
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
75
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
739

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
64%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
63
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$40 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at St. Louis University was established in 1987. It currently offers 75 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 63 companies and have collectively raised over $40 million in funding.

Sixty-four percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

22. New York University

New York

Tuition:
$71,658
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
19
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
1,124

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
38%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
42
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$229 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at New York University was established in 1983. It currently offers 19 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 42 companies and have collectively raised nearly $229 million in funding.

Thirty-eight percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

23. Texas A&M University

College Station, Texas

Tuition:
Out of state: $34,847
In-state: $22,213
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
22
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
593

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
50%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
7
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
NR

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Texas A&M University was established in 1999. It currently offers 22 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 7 companies.

Half of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

24. Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, Okla.

Tuition:
Out of state: $18,118
In-state: $6,492
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
21
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
208

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
82%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
70
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$15 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at Oklahoma State University was established in 2009. It currently offers 21 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 70 companies and have collectively raised over $15 million in funding.

Eighty-two percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

25. University of Maryland

College Park, Md.

Tuition:
Out of state: $54,409
In-state: $45,499
No. of entrepreneur-related courses:
34
Students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes:
791

Percent of faculty with entrepreneurial experience:
70%
Startups launched by grads in last 5 years:
44
Funding raised by grads in last 5 years:
$6 million

About the program

The entrepreneurship center at the University of Maryland was established in 1986. It currently offers 34 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 44 companies and have collectively raised over $6 million in funding.

Seventy percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business.

Entrepreneur Staff

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor

For more than 30 years, Entrepreneur has set the course for success for millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. We'll teach you the secrets of the winners and give you exactly what you need to lay the groundwork for success.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

You Might Be Offending Your Co-Workers With These Passive-Aggressive Email Phrases — Here's What to Say Instead
I Tried Buying a Car on Amazon. Here Are the Pros and Cons.
'I Just Hustled': She Earned More Than $300,000 Wrapping Gifts Last Year — and It All Started With a Side Hustle
This One Act of Courage Completely Shifted My View on Leadership
These Are the Top New and Emerging Franchises of 2024 — And You Can Start One for Less Than $5,000
More Than 75% of Americans Have Side Hustles During the Holidays — Here Are the Most Popular Gigs This Season

Most Popular

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

By Apu Pavithran

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

By Sherin Shibu

Leadership

Visionaries or Vague Promises? Why Companies Fail Without Leaders Who See Beyond the Bottom Line

Visionary leaders turn bold ideas into lasting impact by building resilience, clarity and future-ready teams.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

By Amanda Breen

Green Entrepreneur®

How Global Business Leaders Can Build a Sustainable Supply Chain

Businesses can build sustainable supply chains by leveraging technology to reduce environmental impact, optimize resources and track emissions while balancing operational efficiency and sustainability goals.