Top 25 Best Undergrad Programs for Entrepreneurs in 2018 The Princeton Review, in partnership with Entrepreneur, ranks the top undergraduate programs at universities.
By Entrepreneur Staff •
Nobody instinctively knows how to build a company. They either throw themselves into the role as a first-time leader, or they begin inside a classroom at the growing number of colleges and universities now catering to entrepreneurs' needs.
Inside these institutions, future founders and CEOs are taught the skills and -- perhaps just as important --meet the people that empower them to turn smart ideas into real companies.
Each year, Entrepreneur partners with The Princeton Review to rank the top 25 undergraduate and top 25 graduate programs for entrepreneurs. The annual survey looks at more than 300 colleges and universities (including one in Mexico) and weighs each institution's commitment to surrounding its students with world-class mentors, professors, and alumni, as well as an environment for budding entrepreneurs to thrive. (To read more about our methodology, pick up our Dec. 2017 issue of Entrepreneur.)
Related: Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made?
Click on the slideshow to see who made the list for the top 25 undergraduate programs for entrepreneurship.
Arthur M. Blank Center for EntrepreneurshipBabson College
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Babson College was established in 1978. It currently offers 38 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 321 companies and have collectively raised $35.4 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 591 companies and have collectively raised $162.5 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Babson College students won $330,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 77 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for EntrepreneurshipUniversity of Houston
In-state: $11,887
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Houston was established in 1991. It currently offers 52 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 284 companies and have collectively raised nearly $41 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 583 companies and have collectively raised over $163 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Houston students won $54,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 389 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program."
Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship & TechnologyBrigham Young University
Out of state: $10,920 (NON-LDS)
In-state:$5,460 (LDS)
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Brigham Young University was established in 1989. It currently offers 47 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 508 companies and have collectively raised nearly $814 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 786 companies and have collectively raised over $1 billion in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Brigham Young University students won $240,550 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Ninety-four percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 196 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor
In-state: $15,310
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor was established in 1999. It currently offers 54 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 323 companies and have collectively raised over $68 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 336 companies and have collectively raised over $171 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Michigan - Ann Arbor students won $138,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Sixty-three percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 375 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Lawrence N. Field Center for EntrepreneurshipBernard Baruch College, The City University of New York
In-state: $6,861
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Bernard Baruch College, The City University of New York was established in 1993. It currently offers 16 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 832 companies and have collectively raised over $1.7 billion in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 1,524 companies and have collectively raised nearly $1.8 billion in funding.
Eighty-one percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 81 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Northeastern University Center for Entrepreneurship EducationNortheastern University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Northeastern University was established in 2012. It currently offers 34 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 541 companies and have collectively raised nearly nearly $56.5 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 541 companies and have collectively raised over $66.8 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Northeastern University students won $138,100 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Sixty-seven percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 201 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Related: 5 Schools That Offer Serious Cash for Business Plan Competitions
Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation & EntrepreneurshipWashington University in St. Louis
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Washington University in St. Louis was established in 2003. It currently offers 26 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 95 companies and have collectively raised over $189 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 178 companies and have collectively raised nearly $354 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Washinton University in St. Louis students won $15,250 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Over three-quarters of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 431 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Academy for Innovation and EntrepreneurshipUniversity of Maryland
In-state: $10,399
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Maryland was established in 1986. It currently offers 79 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 126 companies and have collectively raised nearly $37 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 212 companies.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Maryland students won $26,500 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Nearly half of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 116 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Baylor UniversityBaylor University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Baylor University was established in 1977. It currently offers 31 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 280 companies and have collectively raised $50 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 500 companies and have collectively raised nearly $70 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Baylor University students won $2,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 175 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship InstituteTemple University
In-state: $16,658
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Temple University was established in 1997. It currently offers 61 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 255 companies and have collectively raised nearly $2.7 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 288 companies and have collectively raised nearly $40.5 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Temple University students won $20,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Ninety-six percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 178 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial LeadershipUniversity of Dayton
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Dayton was established in 1999. It currently offers 34 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 79 companies and have collectively raised over $4.8 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 122 companies and have collectively raised over $17 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Dayton students won $500 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Sixty-five percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 207 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Center for EntrepreneurshipThe University of Oklahoma
In-state: $9,063
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at the University of Oklahoma was established in 2003. It currently offers 28 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 43 companies and have collectively raised nearly $16 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 76 companies and have collectively raised over $277 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Oklahoma students won $8,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Nearly three-quarters of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 76 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in the Kenan Flagler School of BusinessUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
In-state: $8,867
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was established in 1985. It currently offers 28 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 69 companies and have collectively raised over $12 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 92 companies and have collectively raised over $87 million in funding.
Seventy percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 100 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Related: 5 Schools That Offer Undergrad Entrepreneurs Hands-On Experience
Institute for Entrepreneurship Eugenio Garza LagüeraTecnologico de Monterrey
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Tecnologico de Monterrey was established in 2001. It currently offers 84 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 841 companies and have collectively raised over $20 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 1,204 companies and have collectively raised over $31 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Tecnologico de Monterrey students won $151,592 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Over three-quarters of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 880 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Lassonde Entrepreneur InstituteUniversity of Utah
In-state: $7,956
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Utah was established in 2002. It currently offers 32 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 215 companies and have collectively raised over $7.2 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 316 companies and have collectively raised over $8.2 million in funding.
Sixty-four percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 86 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Falcone Center for EntrepreneurshipSyracuse University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Syracuse University was established in 1990. It currently offers 27 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 90 companies. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 131 companies.
During the 2016-17 academic year Syracuse University students won $243,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 40 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC)The University of Iowa
In-state: $8,965
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at the University of Iowa was established in 1996. It currently offers 22 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 243 companies. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 473 companies.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Iowa students won $413,250 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Eighty-six percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 111 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Miami UniversityMiami University
In-state: $14,578
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Miami University was established in 1992. It currently offers 32 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 54 companies and have collectively raised nearly $10 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 93 companies and have collectively raised nearly $58 million in funding.
Over half of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 171 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
NC State EntrepreneurshipNorth Carolina State University
In-state: $9,058
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at North Carolina State University was established in 2008. It currently offers 28 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 66 companies and have collectively raised over $222.5 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 82 companies and have collectively raised over $257 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year North Carolina State University students won $42,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Fifty-nine percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 45 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
The Entrepreneurship CenterBall State University
In-state: $9,594
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Ball State University was established in 1997. It currently offers 19 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 147 companies and have collectively raised nearly $35 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 366 companies and have collectively raised nearly $166 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Ball State University students won $10,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Eighty percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 56 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
KU Center for EntrepreneurshipUniversity of Kansas
In-state: $10,824
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Kansas was established in 2005. It currently offers 21 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 32 companies and have collectively raised $100 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 52 companies and have collectively raised $250 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Kansas students won $35,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 12 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Related: The 5 Grad Schools With the Most Opportunities for Mentorship
Coleman Entrepreneurship CenterDePaul University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at DePaul University was established in 2003. It currently offers 27 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 133 companies and have collectively raised nearly $70 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 194 companies and have collectively raised over $132 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year DePaul University students won $20,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Sixty-one percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 40 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Fred Kiesner Center for EntrepreneurshipLoyola Marymount University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Loyola Marymount University was established in 1980. It currently offers 16 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 60 companies and have collectively raised over $7.6 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 120 companies and have collectively raised nearly $143 million in funding.
Ninety-three percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 130 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Riata Center for EntrepreneurshipOklahoma State University
In-state: $8,738
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Oklahome State University was established in 2009. It currently offers 29 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 58 companies and have collectively raised nearly $4.5 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Oklahome State University students won $21,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Sixty-six percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 54 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Laurence A. Baiada Institute for EntrepreneurshipDrexel University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Drexel University was established in 2001. It currently offers 38 entrepreneurship-related undergraduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 33 companies and have collectively raised over $17.7 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 62 companies and have collectively raised over $28.3 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Drexel University students won $80,500 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Ninety percent of its undergraduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 60 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
