The 20 Best Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Schools
The best online MBA in Entrepreneurship programs prepare business professionals for the challenges of business administration of their entrepreneurial ventures, from their early design and development to their initial launch and growth. Indeed, the online master degree is among the most popular because of its useful and diverse applications, from new business ventures to existing small businesses.
Being an entrepreneur with your own business has its risks, particularly when you have new ideas, products and services to offer. But the rewards can be fulfilling, too, whether it’s the economic profits or the social impact – or both – that you’re after. You also have the opportunity to progress from being a small business owner to the CEO of your own corporation! There are many examples of entrepreneurs who started small and hit it big with perseverance, passion and hard work, and they are all inspirations for aspiring entrepreneurs.
But these inspiring examples beg the question: Do you really need to earn the best online MBA in Entrepreneurship degree to become a successful entrepreneur? Many of the most successful CEOs and other business professionals didn’t even attend MBA programs!
Before you dismiss the online MBA in Entrepreneurship degree as unnecessary for aspiring entrepreneurs and current business professionals, take a look at the ways that the graduate degree can benefit your entrepreneurial ventures.
- You will gain the knowledge and skill in scaling or growing your business from its start-up stage, oftentimes with limited resources. Among the oft-cited reasons for small business failure is the absence proper business planning, strategies and structures – and these can be learned in an MBA in Entrepreneurship program.
- You will expand your knowledge of accounting, finance and business laws including taxation in one of the best MBA programs. Even if you have people with intensive knowledge of these aspects, it pays to also understand their language and use it to make informed decisions.
- You can develop your leadership skills and other soft skills that successful entrepreneurs possess. Indeed, the best MBA programs aren’t just about the technical skills but the transferable skills, too.
- You will know the best practices in getting funding from venture capital investors, a lesson that the best online MBA programs emphasize since venture capital feeds entrepreneurial ventures.
- Your support network will be wider and stronger, thanks to the fact that online MBA programs emphasize diversity in their student body. Your professional network will not only include your fellow students but also your professors and resource speakers in your online courses. Your business venturing activities will benefit from such a wide network.
- You can also enhance your worldview since online MBA programs emphasize the global environment of business, not to mention that there are international students, too.
And it may not look like it but nearly 40% of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies have MBA degrees, and it’s safe to assume that the business world puts a premium on online MBA entrepreneurship programs and their graduates.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship is designed to equip graduate students with the skills and knowledge necessary to launch a successful new venture. This degree also offers valuable networking opportunities with entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, and helps prepare students for a dynamic business environment. With an MBA in Entrepreneurship, graduates can bring creative ideas to life and shape the future of business.
At A Glance
The best online MBA in Entrepreneurship programs train aspiring entrepreneurs and current business professionals in the vital knowledge and skills for entrepreneurial ventures and small business management. While the program of study among these entrepreneurship programs vary, most have a curriculum consisting of 36-72 credits. Many entrepreneurship programs accept transfer credits from graduate-level coursework but usually not from business-related work experience.
The time-to-completion varies, too, depending on whether a student enrolls on a part-time or full-time basis. Accelerated MBA in Entrepreneurship programs have a 12-month time-to-degree for full-time students. Part-time students can earn an MBA degree in 2-3 years, and it can depend on the pace of their capstone project or thesis. Many online MBA programs allow their graduate students to maintain full-time employment and even encourage them to apply their learnings to their own businesses or workplaces.
MBA with an emphasis on entrepreneurship programs are business administration programs first and foremost. The foundational and core courses cover business administration topics, such as financial and managerial accounting, human resources management, and operations and supply chain management.
The entrepreneurship emphasis means that students also learn its fundamentals at the graduate level. The concentration courses vary in title and description, too, but the common topics covered include entrepreneurial finance, new venture funding and strategy, and alternative entrepreneurship. Electives may also be offered as a way of tailoring the MBA in Entrepreneurship degree to a student’s specific interests.
Admission into the best online MBA in Entrepreneurship programs is selective. Aside from a bachelor’s degree, which may or may not be in business administration, other minimum admission requirements are relevant professional work experience, letters of recommendation, and a personal essays. GRE/GMAT scores may or may not be required while the undergraduate GPA requirement ranges between 2.5 and 3; standardized scores may be waived for high GPAs.
Online education in entrepreneurship MBA programs is done through a dedicated learning management system (LMS), such as Canvas, Moodle, or Blackboard. Online students must meet the technical requirements, such as computer specs and Internet speed, to keep up with online classes.
Graduates of MBA in Entrepreneurship programs enjoy diverse career paths aside from being entrepreneurs and small business owners. Many also become management analysts and other business professionals.
Best Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Schools
The entrepreneurship programs featured here are specializations or concentrations of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, not the Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) in Entrepreneurship degrees. While there are overlapping aspects, these are two different master’s degrees.
MBA in Entrepreneurship programs provide students with well-rounded business education focusing on entrepreneurship-related topics. Students train to become creative and visionary leaders in the business world.
MA and MS in Entrepreneurship degrees enable aspiring and current entrepreneurs to develop specific entrepreneurial knowledge and skills. Their programs of study focus on building and scaling entrepreneurial ventures.
The online MBA in Entrepreneurship programs featured here are accredited by the three accrediting agencies for MBA programs – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Of these three agencies, AACSB is considered the most prestigious.
University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
Business professionals who want to establish and/or grow their own businesses will find the MBA in Entrepreneurship program at Kenan-Flagler Business School to their liking. Students in the online entrepreneurship MBA program develop entrepreneurial skills through didactic coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Among these skills are the identification of viable entrepreneurial opportunities, the design of business models and strategies, and the expansion of their businesses.
The online MBA program first establishes a strong foundation in advanced business administration principles and practices through core courses, such as business strategy. Then, students proceed to the concentration and elective courses like business innovation and technology strategy, managing innovation, and new venture discovery. There are also courses in the management of contemporary markets and customers and sales in the online program.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
Graduate students in the MBA in Entrepreneurship program at UMass Amherst benefit from the excellent on-campus curriculum delivered via an online platform. Business professionals with their own businesses or full-time employment will find its convenience and flexibility to their advantage.
The AACSB-accredited online MBA in Entrepreneurship program is among the most recognized MBA programs in the country, too. Students develop their general business administration knowledge and skills while gaining an entrepreneurial mindset that creates a path to success in the 21st-century business world. Their business skill sets enable them to launch their own businesses or grow their companies.
Students in the online MBA program have access to on-campus resources, including career coaches, academic advisors, and library services. Peer and professor interactions are accessible through digital communication technologies and live online class meetings.
Courses include business turnaround strategies, e-commerce logistics, product management, strategic technological innovation management, and LEAN management.
Colorado Technical University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
The MBA in Entrepreneurship program at CTU provides students with immersion opportunities in the entrepreneurial cycle with an emphasis on theory and practice. Students learn the entrepreneurship process from idea development and execution to business growth, and students must meet the academic standards of higher education, too.
Students praise the valuable and accessible features of CTU Mobile, the mobile-friendly platform of the online MBA Entrepreneurship program. The 5-week online courses can be accessed via CTU Mobile, thus, allowing for anytime, anywhere learning.
The 48-credit program has core business administration courses like strategic management, applied managerial accounting and economics, and human resource management. Students complete an entrepreneurial planning capstone course with a capstone project as its culminating requirement.
Applicants with and without an undergraduate business degree are welcome to apply. Completion of two foundation courses is required for non-business applicants unless they have a 500 or higher GMAT score.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, an accredited institution of higher education of the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges, is known for its MBA in Entrepreneurship program. Students not just learn about advanced business administration principles and practices but also expand their network and gain confidence for business success.
The online MBA in Entrepreneurship program has a 33-credit curriculum that can be completed in 15 months of full-time studies; part-time enrollment is allowed. This is a non-thesis program, but foundation courses may be required for students without an undergraduate business degree and/or background. The foundation courses include accounting, economics, finance, and quantitative methods.
The business administration core courses include management economics, data analysis, and international business. The concentration courses cover marketing management, organizational behavior, and entrepreneurial management. Students then have the skills in building and scaling a small business.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
UTRGV, an institution of higher education that is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges, awards an MBA in Entrepreneurship degree to deserving learners. Students develop knowledge and skills vital in launching new business ventures, adding value to their existing businesses, and contributing to their companies’ growth.
The online MBA in Entrepreneurship program has a 36-credit curriculum with 7-week courses. The accelerated program of study has a 12-month time-to-completion, but students who take foundation courses may have to adjust their time-to-degree. The foundation courses, which include finance, statistics, and managerial accounting, are intended for students with non-business degrees.
The business administration core courses, such as operations management and advanced corporate finance, enable students to develop their broad managerial skills. The concentration courses in entrepreneurship include applicable laws and marketing fundamentals.
GMAT/GRE scores along with a bachelor’s degree and official transcripts are the minimum admission requirements.
Louisiana State University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise Program
LSU, also an institution of higher education that is Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges-accredited, is proud of its MBA in Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise program. The AACSB-accredited program has the shortest time to complete at ten months due to its accelerated coursework. Working professionals agree that it’s a truly flexible and accessible online program with multiple start dates that suit their busy schedules.
The online MBA in Entrepreneurship program, with its 30-credit curriculum, trains students in a wide range of skills. The most important of these skills are in designing effective business models, determining economic feasibility, and building a cohesive team of professionals.
Students must take core business administration courses like financial management, organizational behavior, and economic analysis. The emphasis is on the study of small business management; thus, the availability of concentration courses that prepare students for the challenges of entrepreneurship in the global environment.
Syracuse University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
The Whitman School is known for its high-quality business education, as evidenced by awards like the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education Award from the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Students in the MBA in Entrepreneurship program thrive in the comprehensive and intensive business education, too, where their entrepreneurial skills are further developed.
Students can also maintain full-time employment while in the online MBA in Entrepreneurship program, thanks to its flexible scheduling. Their learnings include sustainable business models, new product development, corporate entrepreneurship, and venture capital management which contribute to their success as business professionals. The core business administration coursework is complemented by the concentration and elective courses, as well as the Foundations of Entrepreneurship course.
Weekly multimedia assignments are combined with live online classes and in-person learning for a well-rounded business education. Students complete three in-person residences during the 24-month MBA program.
Southern New Hampshire University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
While Southern New Hampshire University is a private university, it offers an affordable online MBA program that can be completed in 12 months. Students can choose the MBA in Entrepreneurship specialization if they want to learn the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to launch and run a small business of their own. The ACBSP-accredited online program has no GRE/GMAT admission requirement.
Students in the online entrepreneurship MBA program learn through multiple methods (e.g., scenario-based learning) and, thus, reinforce their learning. Students may also earn embedded credentials while also developing their technical and transferable skills in corporate innovation strategies, entrepreneurial ventures, and leading organizations.
Applicants with business and non-business degrees and backgrounds are welcome. But non-business students must complete two foundation courses before moving into the next phase of the 36-credit entrepreneurship MBA program.
University of West Florida
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
The AACSB-accredited MBA in Entrepreneurship program at UWF enables business professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs to launch, manage and grow their own businesses. Their skills include strategic planning from day one, and practical and efficient plans for finance, marketing, and human resource management, among other aspects.
The entrepreneurship MBA program has a 36-credit curriculum that can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Time-to-completion can be as little as 16 months, but students must be aware of the rigorous, fast-paced study. The online program uses several learning modalities, such as weekly assignments and asynchronous class schedules.
Business analytics, advanced managerial economics, marketing management, supply chain management, and organizational behavior are among the core courses. Small business management consulting, new ventures, and venture development are the required concentration courses.
A college education, as evidenced by a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.75 GPA, is an admission requirement. Military tuition discounts are available, among other forms of financial aid.
William Paterson University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
If you want to gain a deep understanding of entrepreneurship, then look into the MBA in Entrepreneurship at WPU! Students learn about new business ventures, from their conceptualization and implementation, particularly about financing. There are also lessons to be learned about business analytics, crisis management, international business, and corporate sustainability in the online MBA program.
The online MBA in Entrepreneurship program has a capstone course where students can showcase their professional interests. The capstone project can be an investigation into a specific workplace issue, a business proposal for a startup with suggestions on venture capital sources, or an independent research project. Students must also create a personal strategic plan.
The AACSB-accredited entrepreneurship MBA program can be completed in 12 months of full-time studies. Students complete the 30-credit curriculum to earn the MBA with an entrepreneurship specialization degree.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship and Business Development Program
Offered by UNCW’s Cameron School of Business, the MBA in Entrepreneurship and Business Development program enables students to maximize their business education with the guidance of full-time professors. Faculty members have doctorate degrees in business administration and practical management experience, as well as teach on-campus MBA classes, too.
The online MBA in Entrepreneurship program features 7-week courses in its 36-credit curriculum. Students can earn the online MBA degree in 12 months of full-time studies, customize the degree through electives, and pay less in tuition in comparison with other business schools. There are no business administration foundation courses required, even for non-business students.
The core courses serve as the foundation for the MBA degree, and these include business analytics, operations management, and accounting. Foundations of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization and Venture Management complete the online students’ high-quality business education.
Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of full-time professional work experience, among other admission criteria.
Regent University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
If you want to push your business venture to the next level, the MBA in Entrepreneurship program at Regent may be your best choice. The online MBA program emphasizes adaptability, innovation, and research in business administration and management said values of which are underlined by a Christian worldview.
The online MBA in Entrepreneurship has a 42-credit curriculum with 8-week sessions and a 16-month time-to-degree for full-time students who take two courses; part-time students complete one course every session. Courses cover topics in quality management, strategic management, and sustainable business models.
Graduates are competent in achieving effective and efficient results for their own businesses, leading people with integrity, credibility, passion, and developing business plans for scaling existing businesses.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
Students in SOSU’s MBA in Entrepreneurship program train to launch and grow their own businesses with confidence in their skill sets. Time-to-degree is 12 months with its accelerated program of study, but students must complete the 36 credit hours required. Most of the required credits (24 hours) are business administration topics, while the rest are in entrepreneurship.
The core courses in the online MBA in Entrepreneurship program include marketing management, financial management, and strategic management. Students must also learn research methods, data analysis, and managerial accounting. The 12-credit entrepreneurship courses cover new venture management, marketing for new ventures, and scaling the business.
Prospective students to the AACSB-accredited John Massey School of Business’ MBA program must have a bachelor’s degree in any field, but foundational courses will be required in some instances. There are four 1-week leveling courses for non-business graduates.
Cedarville University
Online MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program
Cedarville’s Plaster School of Business offers its exceptional MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship program for business professionals who want to gain entrepreneurial knowledge for the 21st century. With Cedarville being a Christian university, the business administration program emphasizes stewardship, excellence, and innovation in entrepreneurship with a biblical perspective.
The ACBSP-accredited online MBA in entrepreneurship program has a cohort model that enables students to learn and progress as a group. Students also benefit from a dedicated program adviser, flexible 7-week terms with part-time and full-time enrolment options, and a robust curriculum with an emphasis on innovation in entrepreneurship.
Core courses cover executive financial management, managerial economics, and information technology for competitive advantage. There are four courses in innovation and entrepreneurship, including Business Modeling and New Venture Creation, Design Thinking Principles for Innovation, and Emerging Trends and Opportunities for Innovation.
The online MBA program can also be part of an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s program.
New Mexico Highlands University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
Full-time graduate students in NMHU’s MBA in Entrepreneurship program can earn the master’s degree in 12 months. There’s a greater emphasis on practice, but it’s underlined by a strong theoretical foundation. Students develop their problem-solving and critical thinking analysis through simulations and case studies.
The 36-credit online MBA in Entrepreneurship program features one-on-one advising services for its students from experienced faculty members. These professors have terminal degrees and practical business experience, meaning students gain insights into real-world entrepreneurship. Students develop their leadership and management skills, too, alongside technical skills in quantitative methods, business research, finance, and accounting.
The 8-week online classes are convenient for working professionals while also allowing them the flexibility to progress at their own pace. The entrepreneurship concentration courses are Entrepreneurship and Managerial Approach to Internet Marketing Strategies.
For students without a business bachelor’s degree, there’s a single business foundation course required. Applicants don’t have to possess work experience to apply.
University of Massachusetts Global
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
UMASS Global’s MBA in Entrepreneurship program enables business professionals and other working professionals to develop their entrepreneurial skill sets. Their ability to launch their own businesses and/or grow their existing businesses is a testament to the excellent business education offered by the online university. Students learn the entirety of the business cycle, from conceptualization and implementation to exit strategies.
Applicants have four GPA options to choose from, but a bachelor’s degree is required. Graduate students in the online MBA program earn between 36 and 48 credits in the program. The business administration courses cover topics in marketing management, business process analysis and innovation, and human resources management. Students also learn data analysis, financial management, leadership and innovation, as well as complete a capstone course.
The entrepreneurship concentration courses are in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial finance. There are seminars on new product development and marketing research, too.
DeVry University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
DeVry’s MBA in Entrepreneurship program appeals to working professionals who want to start their small business or get into venture creation, as well as to those who want to develop their business skills for the corporate world. The ACBSP-accredited program provides students with a balance between broad business administration knowledge and entrepreneurship skills. There’s also an equal emphasis on theory and practice that make for a robust business education.
Graduate students in the online MBA program deal with an intensive curriculum with an emphasis on excellence in the business world. The coursework covers management theory and practices, analytical tools and technology, and venture finance, as well as marketing and exit strategies. These cover technical skills, but there are also courses for soft skills development, such as collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership in organizations.
Full-time students can earn an MBA in Entrepreneurship degree in two years and eight months. But the time-to-completion can be shortened with transfer credits.
Oklahoma State University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
OKState’s MBA in Entrepreneurship program welcomes online students with business and non-business backgrounds but with a strong passion for establishing successful careers in the business industry. This is a 33-credit program designed for working professionals who want world-class business education but in a more convenient and flexible format than with OKState’s on-campus MBA program.
The online MBA program’s 12-credit entrepreneurship concentration courses enable students to develop their go-getter attitude with confidence in their skills. These courses have descriptive titles, too, like Ideation, Creativity & Innovation, Launching a Business The First 100 Days, and Venture Capital. Students must also complete a capstone experience in addition to the core courses in financial and managerial accounting, business finance, and managerial economics.
Students can also earn certificates in addition to the MBA degree. These certificates demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning in the field of business and mastery of specific areas.
Campbellsville University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurial Leadership Program
Online students in the MBA in Entrepreneurial Leadership program benefit from the fast-paced 8-week courses that enable them to earn the degree in two years. The online MBA program’s curriculum consists of 27 credits of core courses and nine credits of concentration courses that make for high-quality business education. This is also among the more affordable online MBA programs.
The core courses are in managerial accounting, human resource management, and marketing management, as well as organizational theory and management information systems. The concentration courses focus on entrepreneurship and leadership, which aspiring entrepreneurs will certainly have use for in their business ventures.
Prospective students must complete the online application and meet admission requirements, but admission itself is selective, so meeting minimum admission requirements doesn’t guarantee acceptance. The admissions committee takes a holistic approach, meaning reference letters, resumes, and personal statements are evaluated against academic performance.
St. John’s University
Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Program
St. John’s MBA in Entrepreneurship program focuses on business innovation as the cornerstone of entrepreneurship in contemporary times. Graduate students in the entrepreneurship online program agree that their passion for entrepreneurship becomes stronger, thanks partly to the rigorous curriculum but primarily through hands-on experiences. St. John’s also provides students with the opportunity to launch their business ventures in its incubation laboratory!
The online MBA program’s curriculum is carefully structured to allow students to build their business administration skills first and then strengthen them via entrepreneurship courses. The core courses are in business analytics, financial management, and risk management, among others, as well as a capstone course. Students can customize their MBA degree by choosing from several electives, such as Managing a Web-based Entrepreneurial Business or Creating an E-Commerce Business.
Full-time students can earn an MBA degree in just three semesters. Part-time students may do so in three years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the career paths for graduates of MBA in Entrepreneurship programs?
Graduates of MBA in Entrepreneurship programs can pursue these career paths in the business and finance industry:
- Entrepreneurs and business owners
- Management analysts or business consultants
- Senior managers
- Sales directors
- Nonprofit fundraisers
Many entrepreneurship programs even provide their students with business opportunities through networking and internship programs.
What are the median annual salary and job outlook for holders of MBA in Entrepreneurship degrees?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated that overall employment of professionals in the business and finance sector has a favorable 7% projected growth in the 2021-2031 period. This translates to about 980,200 openings every year – indeed, an excellent opportunity for current and past students of entrepreneurship programs.
As for median annual wage, business and finance professionals earned $76,570 (May 2021), it’s higher than the $45,760 median annual wage for all occupations. The income earned by entrepreneurs and small business owners varies, however, but it’s safe to say that theirs is a job that can pay well, too.
What traits and aptitudes do ideal candidates for online MBA in Entrepreneurship programs possess?
Students in online programs must have effective time management and study skills, even with an asynchronous learning format. There are still assignments to submit, capstone projects to make, and exams to pass with flying colors.
Learners in MBA in Entrepreneurship programs must develop certain traits and aptitudes to get the most out of their education. These include a strong sense of curiosity, adaptability, the ability to take calculated risks and to take failures, decisiveness and determination, a hunger for innovation, and long-term focus.
Will earning an MBA in Entrepreneurship help me begin my own business?
Earning an MBA in Entrepreneurship can help you launch your own business. MBA programs focus on providing students with the tools and skills necessary to become entrepreneurs. MBA programs in entrepreneurship integrate business fundamentals with specialized coursework in strategy and planning, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, and vital entrepreneurial concepts. This program can help you develop a bespoke business plan to help you launch your business effectively.
Wrap Up
Earning an online MBA in Entrepreneurship degree is the first step toward getting your current and future entrepreneurial ventures off to a good start! But it’s also a versatile degree that can be used to establish a career as a successful business and finance professional, even as a stepping stone toward a Doctor of Business Administration or a Ph.D. in Business Administration degree.
Before you go, see the following:
- Intro to Entrepreneurship Management: Free Online Course
- Top MBA in Entrepreneurship Career Paths – Job & Salary Information
- The Cheapest Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Schools