The top master’s in entrepreneurship programs will teach you how to effectively start your own company or, if you’re currently employed, how to increase your influence in the corporate world.
There are numerous successful examples of companies that were founded without a college education. However, there are several such instances of companies that collapsed before they had a chance. Learning all the abilities in product creation, business strategies, marketing, and leadership that are essential to success might be beneficial if you’re a fledgling entrepreneur. The greatest master’s in entrepreneurship programs will equip you with these abilities.
What Is an Entrepreneurship Degree?
It’s not absolutely necessary for entrepreneurs to have a degree in entrepreneurship. Without ever having attended college, many students who choose this degree are qualified to launch their own enterprises. After all, unlike typical employment in well-established firms, there isn’t a human resources staff making sure that you fulfill a list of predetermined requirements.
Starting a business, though, might be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Businesses that are successful are those who see a market need, know how to fill it with a useful good or service, and know how to get that good or service in front of the customers who will pay for it.
Among other crucial skills like management and leadership, an entrepreneurship degree will teach you how to promote your firm, locate the capital you’ll need to begin and support it as it grows, and write a successful business plan.
Careers for Entrepreneurship Majors
The interesting thing about entrepreneurship is that it’s not always targeted at one particular profession. Entrepreneurs are career-minded individuals who frequently want to found their own businesses. As a result, you could find work in a variety of sectors, such as sales, product development, technology and computers, and more.
Maybe you’ll decide to start your own training and development business. The BLS reports that this is a quickly expanding industry, with managers earning a median salary of about $113,350 in 2019. Alternatively, you can have concepts related to computers and information systems. In 2019, the typical income for managers in this field was little shy of $150,000.
You undoubtedly already know if you’re studying entrepreneurship that your talents are generally transferable to the majority of company sectors that support the economy. You will probably have the greatest notion of where your abilities are most employed whether you want to start your own firm or work for an already established one.
Top Universities to Study Masters in Entrepreneurship in USA
1. Texas A&M University-College Station
LOCATION: College Station, Texas
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $19,118
Texas A&M University – College Station is a public land-grant university with its headquarters in College Station, Texas. It has over 150 years of expertise in the field of higher education. With almost 50,000 undergraduates alone as of 2020, it also has the second-largest student body in the whole country.
Any student enrolled in the professional program in accounting is eligible to apply for this master’s degree in entrepreneurial leadership. When creating, putting into practice, and managing the expansion of new business prospects, there is a strong emphasis on leadership. You’ll be prepared to design your own start-up or run an established, high-growth company after you graduate.
You’ll study subjects including leadership development, project management, funding start-ups, and creativity and innovation within this program. This degree program does not require a thesis, but students are still encouraged to work with the faculty to create a special degree plan that will guide them throughout their studies.
This university has different graduate tuition rates for each department. You will pay around $1,519 in tuition costs per semester as a resident of the state of Texas or $2,938 as a non-resident as a College Station student enrolled in this program. This adds out to around $8,419 or $10,188 each semester, respectively, when fees are included.
2. University of Virginia
LOCATION: Charlottesville, Virginia
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $17,845
The University of Virginia, one of the oldest colleges in the country, was founded in 1819 and is the location of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 13 separate academic institutions and colleges on campus, and 16,000 faculty and staff members live there.
The UVA Darden School of Business’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation program provides specialized study in 25 distinct optional fields. The university’s website states that this business school has one of the top entrepreneurship programs available.
Students who are enrolled in the entrepreneurship program are encouraged to collaborate with peers who are enrolled in other programs in the same sector in order to strengthen their creativity and business acumen. Among other options, you’ll get the ability to take part in conferences, workshops, internships, and mentorships. Regardless of where you live, the University of Virginia estimates that graduate living expenditures will total roughly $19,426. Residents of the state, however, pay less in tuition and fees. Check out the graduate record page for a complete list of graduate program costs.
3. University of South Florida
LOCATION: Tampa, Florida
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $10,460
The State University System of Florida includes the University of South Florida (USF), which has a catalog of around 180 majors and specializations. With 14 colleges and institutions, the university enrolls over 50,000 students, with about a quarter of them engaged in graduate programs.
This MS in entrepreneurship in applied technologies includes market analysis, new venture development, and other crucial topics for aspiring entrepreneurs. Students might opt to combine this curriculum with other fields, such as biomedical engineering, global sustainability, and others, to get two degrees at once.
Most students finish the program in around two years, but with the right help, some students may complete it in as little as a year with a more focused curriculum. The course is offered at the Tampa campus and is approved by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. For Florida citizens, the cost of graduate school is around $347.91 per credit hour. There is an extra out-of-state cost for non-residents of around $424.52 per credit hour. The cost-per-credit added by fees, which you can discover on this page, is not factored into these numbers.
4. University of Texas at Dallas
LOCATION: Richardson, Texas
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $9,989
Nearly 30,000 students enroll at the University of Texas at Dallas each year to pursue a variety of 140 degree programs across 8 academic schools and colleges. Programs in science, the arts, engineering, and business are given particular attention. It is Dallas’ largest public university.
For people who are interested in starting their own firm, the McCombs School of Business’ entrepreneurship curriculum is created. Along with learning how to operate, manage, and expand current businesses, you’ll also learn how to design and launch your own company.
During your time at the institution, you can take advantage of a variety of resources. One of these is the institution’s Blockchain Initiative, which promotes blockchain research among its several colleges. The Center for Analytics and Transformative Technologies and the Center for Business, Technology & Law are further institutions.
For Texas citizens, graduate school tuition normally costs around $13,874 per year, expenses included. The cost is about $27,796 for out-of-state and foreign students. The typical amount of financial help given to students is $10,645.
5. Rice University
LOCATION: Houston, Texas
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $23,202
William Marsh Rice University, or just Rice University, is a private university in Houston. It is one of the top 20 national institutions, according to U.S. News & World Report, and is located on a gorgeous 300-acre campus. The Princeton Review has rated it as having the highest quality of life.
The Rice business program will help you as you develop and launch your own start-up since it is one of the only MBA schools in the country that provide an entrepreneurship specialization. Facilities like the Rice Entrepreneurship Acquisitions Lab, which can help you locate funding possibilities and scale up your firm, will be advantageous to you.
It has frequently been listed with The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine and was named No. 1 in a ranking of the finest graduate entrepreneurship schools. Since 2013, there have been a total of 54 start-ups founded; further information is available here. In general, Rice University’s graduate tuition is about $25,155. There are other costs, such as a $4 student organization charge and a $22.50 graduate association fee. For students who continue on particular academic routes, there are a variety of reduced fee exemptions available. See this page on the university website for further details.
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $18,971
Although Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) doesn’t require an introduction, we’ll do it for you. A private land-grant university with a concentration on research and innovation, MIT is located in Cambridge. Additionally, it is extremely tough; in a recent admittance, just about 1,400 students were accepted out of a pool of more than 20,000 applications.
For more than 40 years, the faculty at the MIT Sloan School of Management has offered professional advice in the fields of entrepreneurship and company management. The MIT Entrepreneurship Center, which offers a broad curriculum spanning many different areas, is now operated by them as a result.
The MIT $100K Business Plan Competition, one of the most well-known in the nation, is also held there. Three difficult challenges that take place over the course of the academic year make up this entrepreneurial competition: PITCH, ACCELERATE, and LAUNCH. You’ll present your concept at the first round, and the top candidates will advance to the next ones with a budget and mentoring to help them develop it further. At MIT, the regular full-time graduate tuition cost is about $26,725. Your tuition might be prorated if you complete your thesis earlier than expected. Additionally, keep in mind that this amount excludes fees; a list of additional fees can be found here.
7. University of Florida
LOCATION: Gainesville, Florida
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $11,313
The University of Florida, whose history dates back to 1853, is located on 2,000 acres of land, and its campus is made up of more than 900 structures. The student body’s remarkable 4.5 average GPA and average SAT score in the 1400s are both quite noteworthy.
Theory and practice are combined in this Thomas S. Johnson MS in entrepreneurship, and there are several possibilities for experiential learning. One of them, GatorNest, encourages interaction with local startups. Another program, the Integrated Technology Venture Program, promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration among students studying engineering, business, and law.
You will acquire vital assistance from people who have gone before while learning how to start your own business in the normal one-year period required for graduation. Additionally, you will have access to networking possibilities with experienced Gainesville business owners. The in-state tuition cost at the University of Florida is approximately $12,740 for a student living on campus. Out-of-state students often pay an extra $17,394 a year in addition. Visit this link on the university website to obtain a sense of extra expenditures, such as those for housing and food.
8. University of California-berkeley
LOCATION: Berkeley, California
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $17,862
The University of California at Berkeley was the first land-grant institution established in the state of California and was founded in 1868. Additionally, it was one of the founding schools of the University of California System. There are over 185 academic programs and departments from which students can select.
As Berkeley’s center for business leadership, the Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Program was created. You’ll learn about topics like social entrepreneurship and financing new businesses in your classes. You’ll also get access to student-run competitions like the LAUNCH Startup Accelerator in addition to resources like the Lean Launch Pad.
Additionally, the Berkeley Entrepreneurs Association is a fantastic resource for networking and peer learning opportunities. The group has more than 400 members, and new members may access services including mentoring, internships, and more competitions. On the program page, you may learn more about other materials that are accessible. You will be a graduate student at the Haas School of Business and enrolled in this entrepreneurial program. Students enrolled at this business school pay an average tuition of $5,721, but out-of-state students must also pay an additional tuition fee of about $6,122.50. The rate of adjustment for all other fees is the same for both student groups.
9. Indiana University
LOCATION: Bloomington, Indiana
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $11,931
Indiana University is a member of the Indiana University system and has a student body of about 40,000. Students enrolled in this entrepreneurial program will get access to more than a century of business expertise. Strong collaborations with local and national companies as well as educational institutions will be to your advantage.
Depending on your rate of study, the 30-credit Kelley Direct MS in Entrepreneurship can be finished in 15 months to three years. Along with a dual degree program, you can select a completely online entrepreneurship and innovation major.
Participants in this master’s program will complete two in-residence internships, one for each graduate who enrolls. One of these is held in Indianapolis, Indiana, where a lot of business owners and investors congregate for networking and additional education. The other is located in Silicon Valley, offering you the opportunity to present your ideas to seasoned investors and venture capitalists.
The simplest approach to estimate your expenditures at Indiana University is to use the prior year’s cost of attendance. According to these numbers, the estimated COA for Indiana residents is roughly $32,148, which includes $10,376 in tuition and fees. This amount is closer to $52,448 for non-residents.
10. DePaul University
LOCATION: Chicago, Illinois
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $30,584
Private Catholic university DePaul University was established in 1898 and is based in Chicago. With over 22,500 students enrolled, it is the 13th-largest school of its sort in the nation. Two-thirds or more of the student body are graduate students, with the remaining students enrolled in undergraduate courses.
This master’s in entrepreneurship will prepare you to start your own company or to join one that already exists. You will profit from Chicago’s reputation as a startup hotspot thanks to the campus’ location. The largest entrepreneurial ecosystem in the nation, it is home to numerous well-known accelerators and other programs founded in 1871.
Eight core courses and four optional courses make up your program, with the electives giving you the chance to develop your specialization in accordance with your professional objectives. The Princeton Review has rated the program as a whole among the best 20 of its kind. On the Student Financial Accounts website, you may discover information on the costs associated with your degree as well as details on DePaul’s graduate tuition rates. The average cost of graduate school tuition is about $715 per credit hour.
11. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
LOCATION: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $4,119
The academic experience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is believed to be on par with that of an Ivy League university. It was established in 1789 and currently has a campus that covers over 730 acres and has a total enrolment of about 30,000 students. According to U.S. News & World Report’s rankings, UNC is renowned for being among the top 15 best institutions for veterans.
For more than twenty years, UNC’s Entrepreneurship Center has promoted the entrepreneurial spirit. There isn’t a single master’s degree in entrepreneurship offered here; instead, a variety of electives are available as an MBA emphasis that you can select from. However, you may create a special degree that’s in line with your professional objectives by using optional courses.
The courses that are offered cater to both students who want to start their own firm and those who want to work for established start-ups. Three categories—founding/operator competencies, funder competencies, and growth executive/intrapreneur competencies—are typically used to group the courses. Students from North Carolina will pay tuition of about $5,276.00, or $5,519.15 with fees, assuming a full-time study program with at least 9 or more courses per semester. Non-residents typically pay $14,139.00 or, with fees, $14,392.15 For a list of fees and tariffs, please go to this page.
12. Temple University
LOCATION: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $23,192
Philadelphia’s Temple University is a public university. It was established in the late 1800s and was first known as a night school until Russell Conwell gave it a new name in 1888. There are more than 500 academic programs available, and the institution is a national leader in disciplines including dentistry and medicine.
The Fox School of Business offers this master’s degree in innovation management and entrepreneurship. Courses that impart essential business start-up and management skills can be beneficial for both students in STEM degree programs and working adults.
This program places a strong emphasis on practical education, and graduate students profit from a knowledgeable staff. You’ll learn how to create company ideas that defy convention and locate untapped markets. Through this class, you will discover how to recognize these chances and innovative competitive advantages that may help advance your company.
Graduates participating in this program will pay full-time tuition of about $1,114. It is taught by the Fox School of Business and Management. Here you may discover further details on applicable fees and a complete list of tuition costs for individual departments and programs.
13. University of Southern California
LOCATION: Los Angeles, California
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $36,161
The University of Southern California is a Los Angeles institution that was established in 1880. In a recent academic year, just around 16 percent of the almost 60,000 applicants were accepted to USC, the oldest private research institution in the state. Among USC’s excellent rankings is being ranked in the top 20 among more than 1,000 private and public colleges.
The Master of Science in entrepreneurship and innovation is available from the USC Marshall School of Business. It was the country’s first integrated curriculum of its sort when it was introduced in the early 1970s, and it is now taught by a business school that is ranked in the top 10 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
You will profit from six yearly venture contests that give a combined total of $300,000 or more in prize money, supported by a group of about 40 different academics. Students that graduated from the institution have gone on to work for major corporations including Riot Games, Tinder, and SalesForce. This business school provides seven multidisciplinary minors that span a range of topics in addition to two specialized master’s degree programs.
On the USC website, you may get the estimated cost of attendance for graduate students. Depending on the amount of credits taken each semester, this might range for full-time students from $66,523 to $86,183 yearly. These costs cover tuition, books, supplies, accommodation, food, and other costs as well.
14. Harvard University
LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $17,590
The nation’s oldest higher education facility, Harvard University, which is situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded in 1636. As you probably already know, Harvard is one of the most renowned and esteemed universities in the whole world. Every year, over 20,000 students enroll in degree programs.
Students at the Harvard Business School are constantly encouraged to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors, and there are a ton of tools available to help them. The startling statistic that more than half of all HBS graduates have started at least one new venture speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the lessons being taught here.
You’ll have access to possibilities like contests, seminars, and summer fellowships thanks to the Rock Center for Entrepreneurship’s support. It is one of the schools best equipped to provide you with access to a wide range of networking possibilities before you have even finished your degree.
All graduate students pay tuition in accordance with a tiered system. The rate gradually decreases as you progress through your curriculum. In their first two years of education, new students typically pay roughly $49,448; for lengthier programs, this amount drops to about $12,858 in years three and four.
15. The University of Texas at Austin
LOCATION: Austin, Texas
AVERAGE NET PRICE: $14,156
More than 50,000 new students enroll each year at UT Austin, the system’s flagship institution. According to U.S. News & World Report, it is one of the top-ranked public colleges, and several of the programs in the catalog have received high honors in their respective professions.
A master’s degree in technology commercialization is available through this program. It’s targeted at students who are particularly interested in tech start-ups as a result. You’ll gain knowledge on how to introduce new services and goods either independently or as a team within a larger company.
The McCombs School of Business offers classes both on-campus and online. This curriculum has been a well-liked option for professionals with established employment for more than twenty years. If you have a company or product concept, this program may be able to help you develop the skills you need to realize your vision without giving up your job. For a resident of the state, the usual tuition and fees for a full-time graduate student range from $29,048 to $31,212. This increases to around $37,676 to $40,150 for non-residents. However, as stated on their website, Austin has a lower overall cost of living than many other significant American cities.
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