Top 25 Colleges for Entrepreneurship for 2015 (Graduate Programs)

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September 16, 2014 12 min read

This story appears in the October 2014 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »

Think you've got what it takes to start a business? Time to get educated. To get your schooling underway, we present the annual Princeton Review ranking of the top 25 undergraduate and top 25 graduate entrepreneurship programs offered at U.S. institutions.

Harvard University

Image credit: Harvard Business School

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1947

$56,175

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

Harvard Business School Soldiers Field Boston, MA 2163

About the Program

Harvard University currently offers 33 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 182 companies and have collectively raised $1,200,000,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $300,000 in cash prizes.

57 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 127 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

Babson College

Image credit: Babson College

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At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1967

$60,944

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

100

Babson College Olin Hall Babson Park, MA 2457

About the Program

Babson College currently offers 79 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 181 companies.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $75,000 in cash prizes and $191,230 in prize money was won in other competitions.

100 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 9 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of Michigan

Image credit: Michigan Ross School of Business

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1927

$50,000

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

100

University of Michigan Zell Lurie Institute 701 Tappan Street Ann Arbor , MI 48109

About the Program

University of Michigan currently offers 62 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 106 companies and have collectively raised $34,100,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $140,000 in cash prizes and $108,500 in prize money was won in other competitions.

54 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 162 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

Rice University

Image credit: Rice Jones Graduate School of Business

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1974

$48,500

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

6100 Main St - MS 531 Houston, TX 77005

About the Program

Rice University currently offers 31 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 22 companies and have collectively raised $27,773,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $1,400,000 in cash prizes and $564,000 in prize money was won in other competitions.

100 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 190 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

Stanford University

Image credit: Stanford University, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Stanford, Calif

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1954

$61,875

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

N/A

655 Knight Way Stanford, CA 94305

About the Program

53 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 44 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

Northwestern University

Image credit: Kellogg Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, Evanston, Ill.

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1976

$59,085

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

2001 Sheridan Rd Evanston, IL 60208

About the Program

Northwestern University currently offers 31 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 109 companies and have collectively raised $151,300,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $165,000 in cash prizes and $375,000 in prize money was won in other competitions.

67 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 255 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

Brigham Young University

Image credit: Brigham Young University, Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology, Provo, Utah

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At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

2003

$11,280

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

470 TNRB Provo, UT 84602

About the Program

Brigham Young University currently offers 25 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 60 companies and have collectively raised $17,187,494 in funding.

89 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 201 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of Texas at Austin

Image credit: University of Texas at Austin, Herb Kelleher Center for Entrepreneurship, Austin

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1964

$48,832

$33,298

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

2110 Speedway, Stop B6300 Austin, TX 78712

About the Program

The University of Texas at Austin currently offers 31 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 30 companies.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $178,000 in cash prizes and $20,200 in prize money was won in other competitions.

91 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 511 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of Chicago

Image credit: University of Chicago, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Chicago

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1980

$58,760

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

5807 S. Woodlawn Suite 207 Chicago, IL 60637

About the Program

University of Chicago currently offers 30 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 111 companies and have collectively raised $38,600,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $190,000 in cash prizes.

67 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 200 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of Virginia

Image credit: University of Virginia, Batten Institute, Charlottesville, Va.

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1971

$52,720

$48,402

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

Admissions Darden School of Business, PO Box 6550 Charlottesville, VA 22906

About the Program

University of Virginia currently offers 40 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 62 companies and have collectively raised $10,089,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $370,000 in cash prizes and $22,500 in prize money was won in other competitions.

100 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 17 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Image credit: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Chapel Hill, N.C.

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1979

$50,942

$31,510

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

401B Kenan Center Campus Box 3440 Chapel Hill, NC 27599

About the Program

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill currently offers 34 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $100,000 in cash prizes and $50,000 in prize money was won in other competitions.

95 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 150 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of Washington

Image credit: University of Washington, Arthur W. Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, Seattle

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1991

$41,037

$27,861

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

100

Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship Dempsey Hall 227, Box 353223 Seattle, WA 98195

About the Program

University of Washington currently offers 25 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 140 companies and have collectively raised $11,740,633 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $293,520 in cash prizes and $3,425,520 in prize money was won in other competitions.

62 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 284 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of South Florida

Image credit: University of South Florida, USF Center for Entrepreneurship, Tampa, Fla.

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1992

$20,600

$11,216

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

100

4202 E. Fowler Ave., BSN 3403 Tampa, FL 33620

About the Program

The University of South Florida currently offers 49 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 115 companies and have collectively raised $3,000,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $20,000 in cash prizes and $30,000 in prize money was won in other competitions.

93 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 83 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

Baruch College

Image credit: Baruch College, The City University of New York, Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship, New York

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1995

$24,795

$12,770

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

55 Lexington Ave. B9-240 New York, NY 10010

About the Program

Bernard Baruch College, The City University of New York currently offers 14 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 500 companies and have collectively raised $58,000,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $250,000 in cash prizes and $250,000 in prize money was won in other competitions.

75 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 54 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

Washington University in St. Louis

Image credit: Washington University in St. Louis, Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, St. Louis

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1997

$49,700

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

One Brookings Drive Campus Box 1133 Saint Louis, MO 63130

About the Program

Washington University in St. Louis currently offers 21 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $280,000 in cash prizes and $4,330,000 in prize money was won in other competitions.

37 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 192 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

Temple University

Image credit: Temple University, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, Philadelphia

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1997

$39,117

$27,459

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

1801 Liacouras Walk 538 Alter Hall Philadelphia, PA 19122

About the Program

Temple University currently offers 57 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 111 companies and have collectively raised $7,680,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $230,000 in cash prizes and $239,357 in prize money was won in other competitions.

100 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 129 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

Syracuse University

Image credit: Syracuse University, Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises, Syracuse, N.Y.

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1994

$38,820

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

721 University Ave. Suite 508 Syracuse, NY 13244

About the Program

Syracuse University currently offers 22 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $160,000 in cash prizes and $360,000 in prize money was won in other competitions.

100 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 300 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of Oklahoma

Image credit: University of Oklahoma, Center for Entrepreneurship, Norman, Okla.

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

2005

$21,606

$5,606

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

1003 Asp Avenue Room 1036 Norman, OK 73019

About the Program

University of Oklahoma currently offers 15 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 11 companies and have collectively raised $670,750 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $295,000 in cash prizes and $54,250 in prize money was won in other competitions.

University of Arizona

Image credit: University of Arizona, McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, Tucson, Ariz.

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1985

$37,895

$22,023

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

1130 E. Helen Street, McClelland Hall 202A Tucson, AZ 85721

About the Program

University of Arizona currently offers 15 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 12 companies and have collectively raised $1,500,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $60,000 in cash prizes and $214,550 in prize money was won in other competitions.

70 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 20 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

DePaul University

Image credit: DePaul University, Entrepreneurship Program, Chicago

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1972

$15,200

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

1 E. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604

About the Program

DePaul University currently offers 25 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 102 companies and have collectively raised $2,500,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $10,000 in cash prizes and $11,750 in prize money was won in other competitions.

100 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 35 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of Southern California

Image credit: University of Southern California, Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Los Angeles | Gus Ruelas

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1971

$50,495

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

Bridge Hall One 3670 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, CA 90089

About the Program

University of Southern California currently offers 31 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $270,000 in cash prizes.

92 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 150 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of Louisville

Image credit: University of Louisville, Entrepreneurship MBA, Louisville, Ky.

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

1993

$32,000

N/A

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

100

W211 College of Business University of Louisville Louisville, KY 40292

About the Program

University of Louisville currently offers 37 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 12 companies and have collectively raised $5,200,000 in funding.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $68,500 in cash prizes and $207,000 in prize money was won in other competitions.

91 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 17 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

University of Utah

Image credit: University of Utah, Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, Salt Lake City

Full Profile(+)

At A Glance

Courses First Offered

Tuition

In State Tuition

2000

$43,012

$22,660

% Enrolled in Courses

Number of Courses

Address

105 Fort Douglas Blvd #604 Salt Lake City, UT 84113

About the Program

The University of Utah currently offers 17 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 196 companies.

The 2013-14 business plan competition awards $744,550 in cash prizes and $959,550 in prize money was won in other competitions.

92 percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty have started, bought, or run a successful business. 75 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.

* University of Missouri Kansas City was removed from the 2015 Top Entrepreneurial Programs ranking lists due to falsification of data. Schools earn a spot on our entrepreneurship ranking through school-reported data. Every school signs an affidavit to ensure their information is accurate.