Master's in Entrepreneurship Rankings

The Best Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs for 2027

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Key Points: Best Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs

  • University of Pennsylvania ranks #1 on a 97.3 Program Score, with a 97% graduation rate.
  • Only the top 22 programs make this list; every one is ranked on the same federal data, not on reputation.
  • Scores weigh graduation rate most, then selectivity, cost and graduate earnings, from IPEDS, College Scorecard and BLS data. No school pays for a place (methodology).
Programs analyzed
56
Average graduation rate
75%
Median salary (BLS)
$123,835

The best master's in entrepreneurship programs for 2027 sit at opposite ends of a wide cost gap. Among the 56 entrepreneurship programs we analyzed, in-state tuition runs from $3,812 a year at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a public option with a 75.6 Program Score, up to $63,710 a year at Syracuse University, a private program ranked in the top five nationally. We scored every program on graduation rate, admissions selectivity, cost, and outcomes using U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) data, then ranked the field so a prospective student can see exactly where a program falls on cost and quality before applying.

The average graduation rate across these entrepreneurship programs is 75%, but that single number hides the real spread: several public programs graduate barely half their students, while Penn, Florida State, and the University of Florida all clear 85% or higher. Because this list mixes $3,812-a-year public entrepreneurial studies programs with private options above $50,000, there is no honest "typical" tuition to quote. The range is the story, and knowing where a target program sits in that range, cheap-and-strong or expensive-and-elite, matters more than any single average.

What follows: how we built this ranking of entrepreneurship programs, what a master's actually costs against national salary context, which accreditation actually signals quality, how public and private options trade off on cost, and where online and accelerated formats fit. Every figure below ties to a real per-school number or a national BLS data point, never an estimate.

The Top Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs at a Glance

Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Program Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.

How the Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs Are Scored

We built the Program Score for each of the 56 entrepreneurship programs from four inputs: graduation rate, admissions selectivity, in-state cost, and post-enrollment outcomes, all sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS database. National salary and job-outlook context for entrepreneurship-adjacent management roles comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' OEWS wage data. No school paid for placement, and no reputation survey shaped the score.

Every program earns a Program Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:

  • Outcomes44%

    Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?

  • Selectivity & academics38%

    Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).

  • Scale & value18%

    Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).

Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.

The 22 Best Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs, Ranked for 2027

The 22 best Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs, ranked by outcomes.

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit

97.3 Program Score
Grad rate
97%
Admit rate
5%
Tuition
Varies by program

University of Pennsylvania's Education Entrepreneurship M.S.Ed. is a 12-month executive program for working professionals that is STEM-designated beginning summer 2026.

  • 97% graduation rate
  • Program Score 97.3
  • 12-month executive format
  • Hybrid with in-person sessions

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education runs the Education Entrepreneurship M.S.Ed., a one-year executive program with a summer entry term and a hybrid format. The page says it is designed for working professionals, with required online sessions and intensive in-person sessions. Students build expertise in three domains: Education Foundations, Business Essentials and Entrepreneurial Leadership, working with faculty from the Graduate School of Education, Wharton, the Weitzman School of Design and the engineering school. A 12-month capstone project has students work with industry leaders and entrepreneurs to identify a new education innovation opportunity tied to their own goals. Enrolled students may apply for the Global Impact Fellowship, and the page notes the program is STEM-designated beginning summer 2026, giving F-1 students up to three years of work authorization after graduation.

Penn graduates 97% of its students and admits 5% of applicants. The Program Score of 97.3 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. This program fits experienced professionals, founders and education leaders who want to launch or grow education ventures without leaving work. Because the focus is education and edtech, it is a narrower fit for students who want a general business entrepreneurship degree.

View University of Pennsylvania's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

97.0 Program Score
Grad rate
87%
Admit rate
29%
Tuition
Varies by program

A STEM-designated master's that ends in a Business Creation Capstone Experience and offers a one-year full-time or two-year part-time track.

  • 87% graduation rate
  • Program Score 97
  • STEM-designated
  • One-year or two-year part-time track

The Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of California, Irvine is offered through the Merage School and is STEM-designated, which the school says lets eligible international students apply for extended Optional Practical Training. The curriculum builds a foundation in finance, business creation and AI-driven innovation, then moves into practicums, pitch events such as the Stella Zhang New Venture Competition, and the Business Creation Capstone Experience, where students practice launching a business. Students choose a one-year full-time program or a two-year part-time program, and electives let them go deeper on in-demand topics. The school says the program serves both founders and people who want to lead change inside an existing company. No GMAT or GRE score is required, and the page reports an average of 2.15 years of work experience.

The federal figures describe UC Irvine as a whole: 87% of students graduate and 29% of applicants are admitted, so the university is selective, even though the program says it weighs the whole applicant and gives preference to professional experience. The program earns a Program Score of 97 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits early-career professionals who want hands-on venture building with a STEM designation, and it is a weaker match for anyone who wants a purely theoretical business degree or a general MBA.

View University of California-Irvine's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL · Public · online option

96.2 Program Score
Grad rate
86%
Admit rate
24%
Tuition
Varies by program

Florida State University's Master of Science in Entrepreneurship lets students choose a major in product development, creative arts, hospitality, or social and sustainable enterprises.

  • 86% graduation rate
  • Program Score 96.2
  • Four specialized majors
  • 3.0 upper-division GPA minimum

Florida State University's Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship with specialized majors in Product Development, Creative Arts, Hospitality, and Social and Sustainable Enterprises. The Product Development major focuses on creating value across industries through products, services and solutions, with hands-on learning. The college also lists a separate MS in Fashion, Merchandising, and Product Development with a Textile and Apparel Entrepreneurship major, a Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship open to students in any discipline, and Combined Pathways that let high-achieving undergraduates begin graduate coursework early. Applicants need a bachelor's or graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable international degree, plus an upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

Florida State graduates 86% of its students and admits 24% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 96.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want to launch ventures tied to a particular industry, such as product design, hospitality or the creative arts, and who can meet the 3.0 GPA threshold. Anyone who wants entrepreneurship coursework without a full degree can look at the graduate certificate on the same page.

View Florida State University's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

University of Washington-Seattle

Seattle, WA · Public

94.5 Program Score
Grad rate
85%
Admit rate
39%
Tuition
Varies by program

A one-year Master of Science in Entrepreneurship at the Foster School that has students build an MVP and pitch it in competitions.

  • Program Score 94.5
  • 85% graduation rate
  • 39% admit rate
  • One-year, build-an-MVP format

The Master of Science in Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business is a one-year program for new and existing founders. The school describes it as combining the best of an accelerator and an MBA. Students cultivate a startup idea, learn to assess business concepts, construct and test a minimum viable product, and craft a pitch. Learning is applied through pitch clinics, mentor coworking sessions and competitions, and the page reports prize earnings by program teams in UW competitions. The program is based in Seattle and draws on Foster alumni and students from across the university. Applications run in multiple rounds, with the first deadline in November.

Federal data show an 85% graduation rate at the University of Washington and a 39% admit rate, so entry is selective. The program's Program Score is 94.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The one-year format fits founders who want a compressed, hands-on route into launching a company and who value a large public research university's cross-disciplinary events and resources. Applicants who want a long, theory-heavy degree may prefer a different format. International F-1 applicants are encouraged by the program to apply by the second round to allow time for visa processing.

View University of Washington-Seattle's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Nonprofit

92.3 Program Score
Grad rate
84%
Admit rate
46%
Tuition
Varies by program

Syracuse University's 30-credit entrepreneurship master's can be completed in 9, 16 or 21 months across four tracks.

  • 84% graduation rate
  • Program Score 92.3
  • Four tracks
  • 9 to 21 month timelines

Syracuse University's on-campus M.S. in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises is a 30-credit program with four tracks: New Venture, Social, Family or Corporate. The page lists three timelines: 9 months with 15 credits each in fall and spring, 16 months that include a 3-credit summer internship, and 21 months at a lighter load. Master's students can use the Couri Hatchery and Blackstone LaunchPad incubators and compete in the Panasci Business Plan Competition for startup funding. The school says many of its master's programs carry STEM designation and that most, if not all, master of science students are eligible for merit-based scholarships.

Sample roles listed include founder and CEO, business development associate, account executive, client advisor and project manager. The federal numbers show an 84% graduation rate and a 46% admit rate. The Program Score of 92.3 out of 100 is the basis of the ranking. The program fits students who want a start-up culture across any industry, who want a track matched to a social, family or corporate setting, and who want the option to finish in under a year.

View Syracuse University's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

91.6 Program Score
Grad rate
91%
Admit rate
24%
Tuition
Varies by program

The University of Florida's Master of Science in Entrepreneurship is a 32-credit-hour program that can be finished in one year full-time or two years part-time.

  • 91% graduation rate
  • Program Score 91.6
  • 32 credit hours
  • One-year full-time option

The Thomas S. Johnson Master of Science in Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business requires 32 credit hours. Students can finish in one year full-time or two years part-time, and classes meet on campus in seven-week modules in spring and fall and six-week modules in summer. The page describes an immersive, field-intensive format steeped in startup culture, with competitions, on-campus incubators, faculty and professional mentors, and microgrants. It lists trips to Silicon Valley, Austin and Boulder where students see the pitching process up close. Coursework teaches students to identify opportunities, anticipate risks, find and allocate resources and adapt to market trends, whether they plan to start a company or work inside one.

The University of Florida graduates 91% of its students and admits 24% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 91.6 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits people with a venture idea or an interest in startup roles who want a short, hands-on degree with mentoring and pitch experience, and who can study on campus in Gainesville either full-time or at a part-time pace.

View University of Florida's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit

90.5 Program Score
Grad rate
79%
Admit rate
45%
Tuition
Varies by program

Loyola Marymount University's M.S. in Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation opens with a week-long creativity and design intensive and ends in a launch or corporate capstone.

  • Program Score 90.5
  • 79% graduation rate
  • Full time or part time, hybrid
  • Venture or corporate capstone

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation, a 36-unit program aimed at leaders who want to build a more sustainable and resilient world. Students can study full time in 12 months or part time in 24 months, in a hybrid format that combines on-campus and online asynchronous work, with classes on weeknights. The program begins with a week-long intensive on creativity, innovation and design methodology. The curriculum is interdisciplinary and draws on entrepreneurial, managerial, legal and scientific skills, supported by the co-curricular programs of the Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship. In the capstone, students either prepare to launch their own venture or work with a corporate partner on a strategic initiative. The school says graduates can start a firm, join a venture-backed start-up, or bring new skills to a family business. Interviews are by invitation.

The program has a Program Score of 90.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. LMU's federal graduation rate is 79% and its admit rate is 45%. It suits working professionals who want a flexible hybrid schedule and a project that produces a real venture plan or corporate deliverable.

View Loyola Marymount University's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public · online option

90.3 Program Score
Grad rate
84%
Admit rate
57%
Tuition
Varies by program

An MS in Entrepreneurial Leadership from the Department of Management that trains graduates to launch ventures or drive innovation inside existing firms.

  • 84% graduation rate
  • Program Score 90.3
  • Non-thesis degree
  • Online delivery approved

Texas A&M University-College Station offers the Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership through its Department of Management. The program emphasizes leadership in three areas: conceiving, exploiting and managing opportunities. Entrepreneurship coursework covers Practical Issues in Entrepreneurship, Foundations of Entrepreneurship, Strategic Entrepreneurship, and Innovation and Tech Commercialization. Other topics include negotiations, organizational change and development, managing projects, leadership and strategic management. The degree is non-thesis and is approved for delivery through distance education, with both an on-campus and an online version described in the catalog. The page says graduates are prepared to plan business start-ups, lead high-growth firms or work as corporate intrapreneurs who improve an organization's ability to innovate.

The university graduates 84% of its students and admits 57% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 90.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits aspiring founders as well as employees who want to lead innovation projects inside a larger company, and the online delivery option helps those who cannot relocate to College Station.

View Texas A&M University-College Station's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL · Nonprofit

85.7 Program Score
Grad rate
75%
Admit rate
55%
Tuition
Varies by program

A 30-credit Master of Technological Entrepreneurship whose capstone, worth 9 to 12 credits, has students build a startup or launch a venture inside an organization.

  • 75% graduation rate
  • Program Score 85.7
  • 30-credit degree
  • No GMAT or GRE required

Illinois Institute of Technology awards a Master of Technological Entrepreneurship (M.A.S.) through its Stuart School of Business, drawing on the Institute of Design and Chicago-Kent College of Law. The program is aimed at students with science, technology, engineering or math backgrounds who want to launch startups or lead small and mid-sized technology businesses. The degree requires 30 credits, and the capstone accounts for 9 to 12 of them: students work on a real enterprise, such as building a startup, bringing new technology to market or running an entrepreneurial project within a company. Coursework covers strategy for high-tech business, design thinking, and the legal and transactional side of forming and growing a company. Classes meet on weekday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays in downtown Chicago, and students may study part time or full time.

Federally, Illinois Tech graduates 75% of its students and admits 55% of applicants. The school reports no GMAT or GRE is required, with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. The program's Program Score is 85.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking on this site. It fits technical professionals who want business, design and legal grounding while keeping a day job.

View Illinois Institute of Technology's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · Public

85.0 Program Score
Grad rate
77%
Admit rate
43%
Tuition
Varies by program

University of South Florida's MS in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies is a 30 credit-hour program that can be finished in a concentrated 12 months.

  • Program Score 85
  • 77% graduation rate
  • 30 credit hours, 12-month option
  • Evening classes on the Tampa campus

The University of South Florida (USF) Master of Science in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies is a 30 credit-hour, interdisciplinary program. It integrates opportunity recognition, technology and market assessment, product commercialization, new venture formation and new venture financing into a single curriculum. Coursework covers new product and service creation, strategy, financing, opportunity identification, technology and translation. Most students finish in one to two years, and the school says the degree can be completed within a concentrated 12-month period with appropriate advising. All courses are offered in the evening on the Tampa campus, and some have an online section or are fully online. The degree can be pursued alongside the MBA, biomedical engineering, biotechnology or global sustainability programs, up to two graduate degrees at a time. The school also lists graduate certificates in entrepreneurship, life science entrepreneurship and creativity and innovation. It reports AACSB accreditation.

USF reports a 77% graduation rate and a 43% admit rate. The program earned a Program Score of 85 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals and technical graduates who want evening classes and a path to commercialize new products or launch ventures.

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University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

84.9 Program Score
Grad rate
76%
Admit rate
65%
Tuition
Varies by program

An MS in Innovation and Entrepreneurship backed by more than 15 years of entrepreneurial programming and an institute that runs pitch competitions and accelerators.

  • Program Score 84.9
  • 76% graduation rate
  • Pitch competitions and accelerators
  • Startup or corporate innovation focus

The University of Texas at Dallas offers the Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSIE), designed for people who want to launch new ventures or lead innovation inside established organizations. The school says it has shaped entrepreneurial minds for more than 15 years. The curriculum is practical and covers entrepreneurial business models, financial frameworks, identifying viable opportunities, validating ideas through testing, pitching and leadership. The page states that every professor brings real-world experience. Outside class, the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers pitch competitions, accelerators and a network of mentors, investors and founders in North Texas. The school lists career paths in startups, corporate innovation, investment and venture capital, and nonprofit leadership, and reports third-party rankings that are not repeated here.

The program has a Program Score of 84.9 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. UT Dallas graduates 76% of its students and admits 65% of applicants. The MSIE fits aspiring founders who want structure, mentors and a peer group while they test an idea, and it fits professionals aiming at innovation, product or strategy roles inside larger companies. Students who want a general management degree or a deeply technical program may prefer a different focus, since this degree centers on opportunity-finding and venture building.

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University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public

84.8 Program Score
Grad rate
79%
Admit rate
60%
Tuition
Varies by program

This one-year master's blends engineering and business and includes a six-credit-hour supervised entrepreneurial laboratory.

  • 79% graduation rate
  • Program Score 84.8
  • One-year degree
  • Six-credit-hour entrepreneurial laboratory

The University of South Carolina offers a one-year Master of Science in Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurial Engineering. The program is geared toward students with a strong technical background and an interest in leadership who want to learn innovation and entrepreneurial theories and apply them in practice. Topics include entrepreneurship and start-up practices, technology development, marketplace customer discovery and commercialization, along with business analytics and an understanding of whether a concept is technically viable. Students complete a six-credit-hour supervised Entrepreneurial Laboratory in technology innovation and engineering entrepreneurship, and can take on new venture creation projects through the McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise. Classes are taught by faculty members and by experienced entrepreneurs and investors from the private sector. The university describes it as the only graduate program in South Carolina that blends technical and business skills this way.

Federal data shows a 79% graduation rate at the University of South Carolina and a 60% admit rate. The program has a Program Score of 84.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits engineering or science graduates who want to move toward management, sales or founding a startup without a multi-year commitment.

View University of South Carolina-Columbia's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public · online option

80.4 Program Score
Grad rate
75%
Admit rate
80%
Tuition
Varies by program

A one-year Fox MS in innovation management and entrepreneurship offered in person, online or hybrid, with evening and weekend classes.

  • 75% graduation rate
  • Program Score 80.4
  • One year full time
  • In person, online or hybrid

Temple University's Master of Science in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship is housed in the Fox School of Business and headquartered at the Center City campus. Classes are offered in person, online or in a hybrid mix, and in-person sessions run on evenings and weekends. Full-time study typically finishes in one year, while part-time study can be spread over two. The page says the program targets entrepreneurs, junior to mid-level professionals and graduates of engineering, science and technology programs. Students learn to recognize new ventures, generate unconventional business models, find underserved market spaces and rework internal processes for competitive advantage. Temple describes hands-on projects and close collaboration with faculty and classmates. The Fox School reports AACSB accreditation.

Temple reports a 75% graduation rate and an 80% admit rate. The program earns a Program Score of 80.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits technical graduates and working professionals who want to move new products and ideas from concept to market, and who need the flexibility to choose between campus, online or hybrid study on a one-year or two-year pace.

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University of Tampa

Tampa, FL · Nonprofit

79.9 Program Score
Grad rate
64%
Admit rate
40%
Tuition
Varies by program

The University of Tampa's M.S. in Entrepreneurship sits inside the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, with incubator and accelerator access.

  • Program Score 79.9
  • 64% graduation rate
  • Lowth Entrepreneurship Center
  • Incubator and accelerator access

The University of Tampa's Master of Science in Entrepreneurship is housed in the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center and builds the skills needed to develop and launch new enterprises. It also targets professionals who want to bring innovation into existing companies or work in social entrepreneurship. The program is experiential: students can focus on their own projects throughout the curriculum or team with companies in the university's incubator and accelerator programs, and faculty advisors tailor a learning plan when students enter. Courses include Creativity and Innovation for Entrepreneurs, Selecting and Developing a Business Model, New Venture Finance, Entrepreneurial Marketing and Communicating with Investors and Partners. The center reports figures such as 28 in-residence experts and 15 hours of pro bono legal counsel, and the college is AACSB accredited.

The University of Tampa reports a 64% graduation rate and a 40% admit rate. The program's Program Score is 79.9 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It is a fit for founders who want to work on a live venture while earning the degree, and for employees who want innovation skills inside an existing organization, with assignments aimed at sharpening a business plan and an investor presentation.

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Hult International Business School

Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit

78.6 Program Score
Grad rate
67%
Admit rate
60%
Tuition
Varies by program

A one-year Entrepreneurship track within the Master's in Management, offered in Boston, London or Dubai with an AI Lab.

  • 67% graduation rate
  • Program Score 78.6
  • One-year format
  • Boston, London or Dubai campuses

Hult International Business School delivers entrepreneurship as a specialization track within its one-year Master's in Management, based at Hult Boston, Hult London or Hult Dubai. The track covers identifying opportunities, understanding customers, shaping propositions and managing resources, with course examples such as Platform and Business Model Strategy, Perfecting Your Pitch, Entrepreneurial Finance, Brand Management and New Product Development. The wider degree includes practical business challenges and a capstone project, with outputs such as new venture concepts, business models, go-to-market recommendations and pitch presentations. Students also complete an AI Lab and earn a Hult Certificate in Applied AI. Campus rotations and city seminars are available, subject to availability.

Federal data show a 67% graduation rate and a 60% admit rate at Hult, with enrollment of 2,008. The program has a Program Score of 78.6 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The track suits would-be founders, and also people who want to bring an entrepreneurial approach to an established company, family business or mission-driven organization. Applicants who prefer a longer, research-heavy degree may find a one-year format compressed.

View Hult International Business School's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

Cedarville University

Cedarville, OH · Nonprofit · online option

78.1 Program Score
Grad rate
73%
Admit rate
65%
Tuition
Varies by program

A fully online MBA concentration in strategic innovation and entrepreneurship, taught with the International Center for Creativity, in seven-week terms with one- and two-year options.

  • 73% graduation rate
  • Program Score 78.1
  • Fully online, seven-week terms
  • 1- or 2-year completion

Cedarville University's Robert W. Plaster School of Business offers an MBA with a concentration in strategic innovation and entrepreneurship. All courses are online, with seven-week terms and 1- and 2-year completion options, and part-time and full-time paths. Coursework explores design, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and sustainable business modeling, and the concentration is taught in partnership with the International Center for Creativity in Columbus, Ohio. The page describes hands-on case studies and projects, a cohort model and a dedicated adviser. As a Christian university, Cedarville frames the MBA through a biblical worldview. The school reports ACBSP accreditation for the MBA. Graduates are pointed toward launching ventures, innovation roles in existing companies, and leadership in corporate, public service or ministry settings.

Cedarville admits 65% of applicants and graduates 73% of its students, and it enrolls 6,318 students. The program's Program Score is 78.1 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals who want a flexible online MBA with an entrepreneurship focus and who are comfortable with a faith-based approach to business study. Students looking for a secular program or an on-campus cohort should weigh that framing before applying.

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University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

75.6 Program Score
Grad rate
69%
Admit rate
80%
Tuition
Varies by program

A one-year, 30-credit cohort program built to launch a venture, with incubator space at the CO-LAB in Center City.

  • 69% graduation rate
  • Program Score 75.6
  • 30 credits in one year
  • Evening classes, no GMAT or GRE

The M.S. in Entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a one-year, cohort-based, venture-focused graduate program run through the Dubois Center. It is 30 credit hours taken over two semesters, with in-person evening classes, and no GMAT or GRE is required. Semester one centers on lean startup methodology, customer discovery, design thinking and an initial pitch. Semester two covers venture finance, business models, legal and organizational foundations, and pitching to investors, with a mentor-supported practicum in both terms. Students get access to the CO-LAB at UNC Charlotte Center City, which offers incubator space, pitch events, corporate partners and connections to venture capital groups and angel investors. The page describes the goal plainly: start a company and build the skills to make it succeed.

UNC Charlotte graduates 69% of its students and admits 80% of applicants. The program has a Program Score of 75.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits aspiring founders, recent graduates who would rather start a company than join one, working professionals ready for a change, and people who want to bring innovative thinking into an established company. The page says applicants do not need an MBA or an existing business. Evening in-person classes suit people who can attend on campus in the evenings while they develop their venture.

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Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND · Public · online option

75.0 Program Score
Grad rate
51%
Admit rate
37%
Tuition
Varies by program

A Master of Entrepreneurship that is mostly online, open to applicants below a 3.0 GPA on documented potential, and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

  • 51% graduation rate
  • Program Score 75
  • Primarily online delivery
  • Venture start encouraged, not required

Dickinson State University's School of Business and Entrepreneurship runs the Master of Entrepreneurship, which the school describes as a rigorous immersion in the nature of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process. Students learn through experience and reflection. They are encouraged, but not required, to start a venture while in the program. The degree is meant for students interested in entrepreneurship in for-profit, nonprofit or public sector settings, and it sits alongside the university's Small Business Development Center. Dickinson State says its graduate programs are primarily online classes. Admission requires a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum 3.0 GPA, though lower GPAs may be admitted based on documented potential, and a statement of purpose. The school reports Higher Learning Commission accreditation for the degree.

Dickinson State admits 37% of applicants and graduates 51% of its students, and it enrolls 1,410 students overall. The program carries a Program Score of 75 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults and aspiring founders who want a graduate business credential without relocating, and applicants from any undergraduate major who can write a persuasive statement of purpose. International students should note the school says its graduate programs do not support the F-1 visa process.

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St. Francis College

Brooklyn, NY · Nonprofit

75.0 Program Score
Grad rate
55%
Admit rate
Open admission
Tuition
Varies by program

St. Francis College's 33-credit M.S. in Management with a Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship concentration builds mission-driven ventures and ends in a capstone project.

  • Program Score 75
  • 55% graduation rate
  • Open admission
  • 33 credits with capstone project

St. Francis College offers a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The 33-credit curriculum starts with management core courses in accounting, business analytics, corporate finance, organization and strategy, marketing and information systems. It then moves into entrepreneurship courses on the foundations of social innovation, social change through impact and mission-driven businesses, and the creation, funding and measurement of social value. A capstone project closes the degree. The page says students learn to spot societal challenges, launch and manage ventures, secure resources and measure impact.

St. Francis is an open admission school, and federal data show a 55% graduation rate. The program earns a Program Score of 75 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want to start a social enterprise or move into nonprofit management, community development, impact analysis or sustainability roles, all of which the page lists as career paths. Because the degree pairs a full business core with a focused entrepreneurship sequence, it also works for career changers who need general management training alongside the social-impact specialty.

View St. Francis College's Master's in Social Entrepreneurship Program →

Westcliff University

Irvine, CA · For-profit · online option

73.7 Program Score
Grad rate
62%
Admit rate
73%
Tuition
Varies by program

Westcliff University's 36-credit MBA offers an Entrepreneurship concentration and a SMART consulting capstone with hands-on company work.

  • Program Score 73.7
  • 62% graduation rate
  • Entrepreneurship concentration
  • SMART consulting capstone, online or on campus

Westcliff University offers a Master of Business Administration through its College of Business, delivered online and on campus. The 36-credit-hour degree includes eight core courses (24 credits) and a four-course, 12-credit concentration. Core subjects include managerial economics, organizational leadership, strategic management, information systems and marketing management. The Entrepreneurship concentration covers how entrepreneurs gain resources, launch a venture, grow it and exit. Every MBA student is auto-enrolled in the SMART capstone, a consulting course with hands-on company work, with the option to choose a traditional capstone instead, and must complete a credit-bearing internship as a Practical Learning Experience. The standard duration is 2 years, and an ACHIEVE Bridge Pathway supports students with a lower GPA or little business experience.

Federal data shows a 62% graduation rate and a 73% admit rate at Westcliff, which enrolls 7,686 students. The program earns a Program Score of 73.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals and career changers who want a flexible format, an applied capstone and a startup-oriented concentration, and who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

View Westcliff University's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT · Public · online option

73.6 Program Score
Grad rate
65%
Admit rate
86%
Tuition
Varies by program

The Master of Business Creation is a one-year accelerator plus graduate degree for founders running a startup, offered in person or online.

  • Program Score 73.6
  • 65% graduation rate
  • One-year degree
  • In-person or online

The University of Utah's Master of Business Creation (MBC) is a one-year degree for entrepreneurs who are already building a company. The David Eccles School of Business describes it as an accelerator plus a graduate degree, delivered by the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy with the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. Founders living in the U.S. can choose a full-time, in-person format over two semesters or a flexible online format over three semesters, and founders in select locations abroad can enroll online. The program centers on the student's own startup, with courses, workshops and labs, one-on-one mentorship, and an expectation that founders reach operating independence by graduation. The school reports that it takes no equity in participating companies and that its entrepreneurship programs are ranked among the top 10 by U.S. News and the Princeton Review.

The University of Utah has a 65% graduation rate and an 86% admit rate. The MBC's Program Score, the basis of its ranking here, is 73.6 out of 100. This is not a general management degree. It fits founders with a live business who want structured support, mentors and classes while they grow it, and it is a weak match for someone still looking for an idea or a first job in business.

View University of Utah's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Nonprofit

73.0 Program Score
Grad rate
68%
Admit rate
76%
Tuition
Varies by program

A 48-quarter-hour cohorted MS in Entrepreneurship with eight core courses, four electives and access to the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center.

  • 48 quarter hours
  • Program Score 73
  • 68% graduation rate
  • Cohorted with Coleman Center access

DePaul University offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship for students who want to start a venture, build new products inside an existing company, or work on the funding side with angel investors and venture capital firms. The program is cohorted and requires 48 quarter hours: eight core courses (32 hours) covering financial accounting, ethical leadership, legal aspects of entrepreneurship, new venture financing and innovation management, plus four electives (16 hours). Electives include sustainability management, negotiation, precision marketing, project management and social and sustainable enterprise. Residencies connect students with Chicago's entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center offers mentorship, internships, workshops and pitch competitions.

DePaul graduates about 68% of its students and admits about 76% of applicants, so entry is moderately selective. The program earns a Program Score of 73 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits career changers and early-career professionals who want a structured, cohort-based route into starting or funding businesses, and who value flexibility in choosing electives such as marketing, sustainability or analytics. Applicants should confirm current format and admission requirements with the school.

View DePaul University's Master's in Entrepreneurial Studies Program →

Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.

Graduation Rates at the Ranked Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs

The median school on this list graduates 76% of its students. The highest rates belong to University of Pennsylvania (97%) and University of Florida (91%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.

76% Median graduation rate across 22 schools
97% Highest on the list University of Pennsylvania
7 Graduate 80% or more of 22 schools
  • 80% and above 7
  • 60% to 79% 13
  • 40% to 59% 2
  1. #1 University of Pennsylvania97% graduation rate
  2. #6 University of Florida91% graduation rate
  3. #2 University of California-Irvine87% graduation rate

Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.

How Selective Are the Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs?

On this list, 1 of 22 schools is open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 10 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being University of Pennsylvania at 5%.

55% Median admit rate across 21 schools
5% Most selective University of Pennsylvania
1 Open admission admit every qualified applicant
  • Admit under 25% 3
  • 25% to 49% 7
  • 50% to 74% 7
  • 75% and above 4
  • Open admission 1
  1. #1 University of Pennsylvania5% admitted
  2. #3 Florida State University24% admitted
  3. #6 University of Florida24% admitted

Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.

Public and Private Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs

This list holds 12 public, 9 private nonprofit, and 1 for-profit schools.

12 Public highest ranked: #2 University of California-Irvine
9 Private nonprofit highest ranked: #1 University of Pennsylvania
1 For-profit highest ranked: #20 Westcliff University

Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.

Where the Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs Are

The 22 ranked schools are spread across 13 states. Florida (4), California (3), and Illinois (2) have the most.

13 States represented 22 schools
  • Florida 4
  • California 3
  • Illinois 2
  • New York 2
  • Pennsylvania 2
  • Texas 2

Main campus state as reported to IPEDS.

Campus Size Across the Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs

Enrollment on this list runs from 1,410 at Dickinson State University to 78,321 at Texas A&M University-College Station. Of the 22, 14 enroll 20,000 students or more and 3 enroll fewer than 5,000.

29,375 Median enrollment students, whole institution
78,321 Largest Texas A&M University-College Station
1,410 Smallest Dickinson State University

Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.

What Graduates of the Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs Earn

Four years out, medians on this list run from $73,019 at Florida to $252,729 at Penn.

Penn leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.

College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level.

What the Best Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs Cost, and the Real ROI

Cost is the first filter for anyone comparing entrepreneurship programs, and the range among the 56 we ranked is stark. At the low end, UNC Charlotte charges $3,812 a year in-state for a program that still earns a 75.6 Program Score and a 69% graduation rate. At the high end, Syracuse University charges $63,710 a year, nearly 17 times as much, for a program ranked fifth overall with an 84% graduation rate. Florida State lands in between on prestige but far below on price: a 96.2 Program Score, an 86% graduation rate, and $4,640 in-state tuition, third overall in the entire ranking.

Run the math on payback. The national BLS median salary tied to entrepreneurial and executive leadership roles is $123,835 a year. A two-year in-state master's at Florida State costs roughly $9,280 total in tuition; even assuming zero income during enrollment, that cost is recovered in well under a month of post-graduation salary at the national median. A two-year program at Syracuse runs closer to $127,420 in tuition alone, more than a full year of the national median salary. Neither calculation is a guarantee of that salary at graduation, since $123,835 is a national field figure, not a per-school outcome, but it frames how differently the debt-to-payoff math works depending on which of these programs you choose.

The takeaway for cost-conscious applicants: several of the strongest entrepreneurship programs in this ranking are public and priced under $12,300 a year in-state, including Florida State ($4,640), the University of Florida ($4,477), University of South Florida ($4,559), and UNC Charlotte ($3,812). Paying a private-school premium only makes sense if the specific program offers something the cheaper options do not, a named specialization, a stronger placement network, or a format that fits your schedule.

Public vs. Private: The Cost Trade-Off in Entrepreneurship Degrees

Control type is the single biggest driver of price across these programs, and it does not track cleanly with quality. The University of Pennsylvania, private and ranked first overall, charges $60,920 a year and posts a 97% graduation rate. UC Irvine, public and ranked second, charges $12,260, a fifth of Penn's price, and still posts an 87% graduation rate with a near-identical 97 Program Score. That roughly 5-to-1 price gap for a 0.3-point score difference is the clearest value signal in the entire ranking.

The pattern holds further down the list. Texas A&M, public, charges $9,092 and scores 90.3 with an 84% graduation rate, eighth overall. Illinois Institute of Technology, private, charges $50,636, more than five times as much, and scores 85.7 with a 75% graduation rate, ninth overall, one spot lower and 4.6 points lower on the score. Private entrepreneurship programs are not automatically worse, Penn and Loyola Marymount both crack the top ten, but the data does not support paying a private premium as a default strategy. Check the specific school's score and grad rate against its in-state tuition before assuming brand name equals better outcome.

The Accreditation That Actually Matters for an Entrepreneurship Master's Degree

The accreditation to check for entrepreneurship programs housed in a business school is AACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accreditation is selective: most business schools worldwide do not hold it, and the process evaluates curriculum rigor, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes on a recurring review cycle rather than a one-time approval. Several of the highest-scoring schools in this ranking, including Penn, Florida State, and UC Irvine, sit inside AACSB-accredited business schools, which is part of why their outcomes data holds up.

Accreditation matters here for a practical reason: employer recognition and transfer credit both lean on it. A degree from an AACSB-accredited entrepreneurship program signals to employers that the curriculum met an external bar, not just the university's own standard. Before enrolling, confirm accreditation status directly rather than relying on a school's own promotional language, since our data rule is to attribute any accreditation or award claim to its source rather than restate it as independently verified.

Award Levels: Why This Ranking Focuses on the Master's

Entrepreneurship training is offered at several award levels, undergraduate minors, bachelor's degrees, graduate certificates, and the master's degree, and each serves a different stage of a career. A bachelor's in entrepreneurial studies suits someone building foundational business skills before their first job. A graduate certificate suits a working professional who wants a specific skill set without committing to a full degree. This ranking focuses on the best master's in entrepreneurship rather than the bachelor's or certificate tier because the master's is the level most often used as a career pivot: someone with work experience going back for formal training in venture formation, funding, and scaling, which is where the graduation-rate and selectivity data is most complete and comparable across schools.

Comparing entrepreneurship programs at the master's level also produces a cleaner ranking than mixing award levels. Graduation rate, selectivity, and cost behave differently for a two-year master's than for a four-year bachelor's or a one-semester certificate, so folding them into one score would blur the comparison. If you are weighing a master's against a certificate or an MBA with an entrepreneurship concentration, use this ranking for the standalone master's track and compare separately.

Online Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs and Accelerated Paths

Two schools in this ranking are known for flexible, working-professional-oriented delivery rather than a traditional two-year, on-campus cohort: Hult International Business School and Westcliff University. Hult charges $53,448 and scores 78.6 with a 67% graduation rate; Westcliff charges $17,520 and scores 73.7 with a 62% graduation rate. Both post lower graduation rates than the schools at the very top of this ranking, a real trade-off for schedule flexibility, not a free upgrade.

Online and accelerated formats fit a specific reader: someone already working who cannot relocate or pause a career for two years of full-time study. They do not automatically fit someone chasing maximum networking density or an immersive campus cohort. Before choosing a format, confirm the specific delivery mode directly with the school, weigh the graduation-rate gap against the schedule flexibility you actually need, and remember that a lower completion rate at an accelerated program is a real cost if it means you are more likely to stall out partway through.

7 Offer an online option of 22 ranked
  1. #3 Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
  2. #8 Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX
  3. #13 Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
  4. #16 Cedarville UniversityCedarville, OH
  5. #18 Dickinson State UniversityDickinson, ND
  6. #20 Westcliff UniversityIrvine, CA
  7. #21 University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT

Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.

Salary and Job Outlook for Entrepreneurship Graduates

Choosing the best master's in entrepreneurship ultimately comes down to what happens after graduation, and the national BLS median salary tied to entrepreneurial and executive leadership roles is $123,835 a year. This figure comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and applies nationally; it is the same number regardless of which entrepreneurship program you attend, not a per-school outcome, and should be read as field-level context rather than a promise tied to any single school's graduates.

For occupational detail, the BLS Top Executives outlook page and the broader Management Occupations page both cover the roles entrepreneurship graduates most often move into: founder, general manager, and operations or business-development leadership. An accredited entrepreneurship program does not guarantee a founder's salary or exit; it provides training in venture finance, market validation, and operations that shows up in these BLS-tracked roles whether you start a company or join one.

Graduation rate is worth weighing alongside salary context, because a program you do not finish delivers none of that outcome. Programs at the top of this ranking, Penn at 97%, Florida State at 86%, UC Irvine at 87%, combine strong completion odds with the innovation-focused curriculum entrepreneurship programs are built around. That combination, not the national salary figure alone, is what should drive a final decision between two similarly priced options.

Best Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs by State

Prefer a state-by-state view? We rank Entrepreneurship Programs in 2 states, each grounded in that state's real, accredited programs.

Keep Exploring

Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs: Your Questions, Answered

How long does a master's in entrepreneurship take to complete?
Most master's in entrepreneurship programs run 12 to 24 months full time, depending on credit load and whether the school offers an accelerated track. Part-time and online formats, like those at Hult International Business School, can extend past two years. Graduation rate figures in this ranking, which range from 51% to 97% across the 56 programs analyzed, reflect completion within each school's standard timeline as reported to IPEDS.
Is an online master's in entrepreneurship respected by employers?
It depends on accreditation, not delivery format. An AACSB-accredited entrepreneurship program delivered online carries the same external quality signal as its on-campus version. What employers actually weigh is whether the accrediting body, curriculum, and faculty meet the AACSB bar, not whether classes met in person. Check accreditation status directly through the school rather than assuming an online label lowers program quality on its own.
How much do master's in entrepreneurship programs cost?
In-state tuition among the 56 ranked entrepreneurship programs runs from $3,812 a year at UNC Charlotte to $63,710 a year at Syracuse University. There is no single typical cost because the ranked set mixes inexpensive public options, several under $10,000 a year, with private programs above $50,000. Compare a target school's tuition directly against its Program Score and graduation rate rather than relying on an average.
What is a good graduation rate for an entrepreneurship program?
The average graduation rate across the 56 ranked entrepreneurship programs is 75%. Anything above 85%, like Penn at 97%, the University of Florida at 91%, or UC Irvine at 87%, is strong. Rates below 60%, like Dickinson State's 51% and St. Francis College's 55%, suggest a meaningful share of enrolled students do not finish, which is worth weighing against any tuition savings.
Do I need an accredited entrepreneurship program?
Yes, if you want the degree recognized without question by employers and other schools. AACSB accreditation is the relevant standard for programs housed in business schools; it covers curriculum, faculty, and outcomes on a recurring review cycle. Confirm accreditation status directly with the school before enrolling rather than assuming it based on the university's overall reputation.

Data Sources