An online business entrepreneurship degree is perfect for students interested in business and sales. Students learn how to develop plans for funding a startup business and continuing its success. They also learn a number of other elements of small businesses and how to create concepts to improve them. Survival rates for small businesses vary by industry. Healthcare and social assistance industries have the highest consistent survival rate, while the construction industry has the lowest. Students who complete a business entrepreneurship degree online learn how to create new businesses in the right industry, location, and time frame.
Choosing a Program
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Courses for an online entrepreneurship degree are centered around teaching students fundamental business topics. Classes include advertising, developmental planning, management, microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics for business, business policy, basic information systems, and organizational behavior. Students learn how to obtain and organize resources that will aid in the creation and growth of a business. Owners must know how to hire employees, manage finances, and distribute services, goods, and information.
One of the most important skills that students learn is management. Students learn how to formulate a mission, goals, and vision for a business and how to productively identify strengths and weaknesses. They also learn about human resource management.
Specific requirements, program structure, and elective vary from school to school. Some schools offer certain concentrations or electives that students may find useful as they embark on business ventures. If you are interested in a particular industry, you might want to consider a program with classes in management for that field.
For career information, skip down:
Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Careers
Top Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Degree Programs Badge
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Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Degree Program Ranking Guidelines
We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.
RANKING METHODOLOGY
Methodology for College Rankings
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet—TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
Considers range of electives within that discipline
Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
Considers education background of the faculty
Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
Faculty
Curriculum
“Freshness” of academic knowledge
Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
Considers the following of the online classes:
Types of online technology used to deliver content
Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
Considers the following of instructors:
Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
Ratio to number of students in a class
Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
Accreditation
Public or private status
Acceptance rate
Retention rate
Graduation rate
ACT/SAT requirements
Cost in-state / out of state
Undergrad, grad, or both offered
Region
State
City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
?
The Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs
1 Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa
Buena Vista University - Storm Lake, Iowa
Buena Vista University ranks #1 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Buena Vista University offers courses through 16 campuses across the state of Iowa as well as online. An impressive 98% of Buena Vista graduates either land a job or enroll in graduate school within six months after graduation. Online students can choose from more than 30 online options. The online entrepreneurship program teaches students the fundamental skills they need–marketing, accounting, finance, and management–to build a successful enterprise or create a new venture.
Along with 14 foundational business courses, entrepreneurship students take six entrepreneurship-focused classes. One notable course, the social responsibility of business, teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to build mission-driven and socially-conscious enterprises. Students are encouraged to gain hands-on experience in the field. By the end of the program, all students must either complete a marketing internship or take an advanced elective. The curriculum consists of 55 credit hours. The school’s flexible programs have six start dates throughout the year and classes start every eight weeks.
Buena Vista’s programs, including the online entrepreneurship degree, are designed for students who have already completed some college. Applicants must have completed an associate degree or 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution. However, college level examination credits and life experience may be counted towards admission.
Buena Vista University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
2 Cleary University
Howell, Michigan
Cleary University, Howell, Michigan
Cleary University ranks #2 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Located in Michigan, Cleary University was founded in 1885 as a school of penmanship. Today, the university teaches students the skills they need to succeed in business. While Cleary University is an all-around business school, its online degree in entrepreneurship is particularly strong. The school’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship supports entrepreneurship students and Michigan’s business community through events, education, and other resources.
The school’s comprehensive entrepreneurship concentration, offered as part of the business administration major, focuses on teaching students critical thinking and communication skills, as well as the economic and legal theories they need to launch successful businesses. The program takes four years to complete. Students take 41 courses for a total of 120 credits. Some notable courses include creativity and innovation, startup seminar, and technology entrepreneurship. In addition, entrepreneurship students are required to complete a professional project in their last semester. Cleary encourages students to customize their coursework to reflect their specific interests. To this end, the entrepreneurship curriculum includes the opportunity to take seven different electives over four years.
Cleary prides itself on its flexible transfer policies. The school works with transfer students from community colleges, two-year institutions, and four-year universities in order to develop an appropriate academic plan. The school also has agreements with many Michigan colleges, making the transfer process for in-state students hassle-free.
Cleary University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
3Northwood University–Michigan
Midland, Michigan
Northwood University - Michigan
Northwood University – Michigan ranks #3 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Founded as Northwood Institute, Northwood University was established in 1959 in Alma, Michigan. Now based in Midland, NU is a private school known for its strong emphasis on business education. The school supports the values of the American free enterprise system through its undergraduate and graduate programs. Bachelor of business administration students can choose from 21 concentrations, including franchising management, innovation marketing, and entrepreneurship.
The entrepreneurship program is comprised of 126 semester hours and is typically completed in four years. The curriculum introduces students to fundamental business topics such as management, economics, and finance, but also includes some unusual courses for business majors. All undergraduates must take speech, ethics, and introduction to American government. While not directly related to business, the concepts students learn in these courses nonetheless can be useful in their careers.
Some interesting courses within the entrepreneurship concentration include new venture finance and successful business models, in which students analyze business plans of renowned entrepreneurs like John D. Rockefeller and John Jacob Astor. In addition, students can choose to complete an internship in the second semester of their junior years. Students can learn even more about the business world by speaking with Northwood’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, who serve as mentors to entrepreneurship students. Students considering an online entrepreneurship degree from NU may be interested in the four year BBA/MBA program. This accelerated track enables ambitious students to complete a BBA degree in three years and an MBA degree in one additional year.
Northwood University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
4 Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, North Carolina
Gardner Webb University
Gardner-Webb University ranks #4 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Founded in 1905 as Boiling Springs High School, Gardner-Webb University is a private institution located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. The school is Baptist-affiliated and was established through a partnership between two local Baptist associations. The school remains committed to Christian principles. Its mission is to prepare young people for fulfilling lives of service.
Through its five professional schools and two academic schools, Gardner-Webb offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate fields of study. The school accommodates all types of distance learners by offering many of these programs in hybrid or distance-only formats. Gardner-Webb also provides special training to professors who teach online courses in order to give its distance learners the most worthwhile experience possible.
Gardner-Webb’s BS in entrepreneurship program is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. The program teaches learners how to make a social impact through business. Students working toward the online degree in entrepreneurship learn to bring ethics, faith, and service to the business field. To this end, entrepreneurship students complete traditional business courses in enterprise creation, growth, and funding, but are also required to take courses in biblical studies. The entrepreneurship program is made up of 33 major credits, 15 of which must be completed at Gardner-Webb. This relaxed policy makes the school extraordinarily accommodating to transfer students.
Gardner-Webb University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
5University of Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, Minnesota
University of Minnesota Crookston
University of Minnesota Crookston ranks #5 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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The University of Minnesota-Crookston is a public baccalaureate institution that has been in operation since 1966. The school prides itself on its small size of just 1,800 students, which gives it an incredible student-to-faculty ratio of just 16 to 1. The school’s small class sizes allow professors to provide special attention and mentorship to each and every student. In addition, the school is attentive to its online learners, who make up half of the student body. The university has been offering online programs for 20 years, and its online programming includes 15 majors, nine minors, and five certificates.
The BS in entrepreneurship degree, available on campus or online, emphasizes learning through practice, and encourages students to take a hands-on approach to their studies. The 52-credit curriculum includes a course on field studies in entrepreneurship, where students consult with local small businesses to develop real world experience. In addition, all students, including those completing their entrepreneurship degree online, must participate in an internship.
The University of Minnesota Crookston charges in-state tuition to all of its students, making it an affordable option for out-of-state learners. More than 93% of graduates find employment within six months of graduation.
The University of Minnesota is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
GO TO SCHOOL PROFILE
6Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri
Columbia College ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Established in 1851, Columbia College is a private institution rooted in more than 160 years of academic tradition. The school was founded as a Christian school for women, but became coeducational in 1970. CC has retained its ties with the the Christian Church, but encourages students of all faiths to apply. The school serves 29,000 students each year through its 35 campus locations and online programs.
Students at CC can choose from nine different online programs of study. CC is unique in that it offers career advising to its students for life. Online courses last eight weeks, and there are six sessions each year. As a result, students can complete a bachelor’s degree in under three-and-a-half years.
Columbia College offers two tracks for bachelor’s in entrepreneurship students: a BS in business administration and a BA in business administration. Both tracks require a minimum of 120 credits of coursework, 39 of which are advanced level courses. The entrepreneurship major is comprised of 18 credits, including six credits of electives. Students pursuing the business entrepreneurship degree online can opt to take courses such as e-marketing and social media, which will them succeed in today’s technology-oriented business world.
Columbia College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
GO TO SCHOOL PROFILE
7 Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas
Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas
Lamar University ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Located in Beaumont, Texas, Lamar University is a public college that was founded in 1923. The school has expanded dramatically in the last 90 years, growing from just 125 students to more than 15,000. A member of The Texas State University System, LU is recognized as one of the fastest growing institutions of higher education in the state. LU offers more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs of study, 23 of which are available online. Courses are offered in accelerated 8-week semesters or traditional 15-week semesters.
The bachelor of business administration degree in entrepreneurship is made up of 48 core courses, 27 lower level electives, and 45 advanced level electives, for a combined total of 120 credit hours. What makes Lamar’s entrepreneurship curriculum unique is its focus on modern business technology. Students complete coursework in data analysis, business analysis, and strategic analysis. Distance learners can expect to complete the online degree in entrepreneurship in 48 months.
Students must have a GPA of at least 2.0 in order to be considered for the entrepreneurship program. The online tuition rate is law, making receiving an education affordable. Transfer students from two-year colleges may apply up to 66 credits.
Lamar University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
GO TO SCHOOL PROFILE
8 University of Maine at Machias
Machias, Maine
University of Maine Machias
University of Maine at Machias ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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The University of Maine at Machias was founded in 1909 as a teachers college. Over the last 108 years, the school has stayed true to its roots, priding itself on its small class sizes and impressive student-to-faculty ratio of just 12 to 1. The tiny student population of just 800 facilitates a more intimate classroom environment than one might find at a larger university. As a result, the school is a good fit for students who prefer a more personalized learning experience.
Three of the school’s 11 programs of study are available online, which means that students can get all the perks of a small school without ever setting foot on campus. Plus, Machias limits online cohort groups to ensure that distance learners get the same one-on-one experience that on-campus students get.
The bachelor of science in business and entrepreneurial studies teaches students the specific skills and talents they need to succeed in any facet of a new enterprise. Students can choose from five concentrations: accounting, management, marketing, business sustainability, or sports and fitness management. Alternately, students have the flexibility to design a concentration that is tailored specifically to their career aspirations. Some interesting and unusual courses include social media analytics, international marketing, and business spreadsheet applications. The curriculum is comprised of 120 credits, and students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to graduate.
The University of Maine is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CIHE).
9 Bluefield College
Bluefield, Virginia
Bluefield College, Bluefield, Virginia
Bluefield College ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Bluefield College, founded in 1922, is a Baptist-affiliated college located in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Though it serves under 1,000 students, the school offers more than 40 programs. On-campus and online students benefit from 15-person class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1. In 2011, the school made all of its accelerated programs accessible online. Today, more than 300 working professionals are enrolled in one of Bluefield’s online programs.
One of Bluefield’s notable distance programs is its online management and leadership major. Through its 126-credit curriculum, the program helps students master important skills such as strategic planning, team building, and contemporary leadership. Management students may choose to pursue the e-business and entrepreneurship minor. The minor introduces students to the basics of entrepreneurship, and then teaches them how to build and grow a business. Courses such as e-business and franchising teach students growth techniques for the modern era.
Students who enter the program with transfer credits can complete the accelerated bachelor’s in entrepreneurship in as few as 13 months. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.0 to qualify for Bluefield’s online programs.
Bluefield College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
10Northwood University–Texas
Cedar Hill, Texas
Northwood University - Texas
Northwood University – Texas ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Northwood University-Texas is a private college located in Cedar Hill. It is a satellite location for Northwood’s main campus, which is located in Michigan. Northwood established its Texas location during its push to expand in the late 1960s. In 2014, NU closed its residential buildings at the Texas campus and began putting more resources towards distance and adult education. Now, NU serves as a hub for the school’s online students in the Southwest.
NU is a business-only school committed to supporting the American capitalist system. The school’s BBA program allows students to choose from more than 20 concentrations. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, ensuring that it consistently provides a high-caliber business education.
The school’s online bachelor’s in entrepreneurship program is distinguished by its emphasis on case-based education. As part of the degree’s 126 credits, students are required to take courses that go beyond theory and teach students to analyze real-world scenarios. Courses include strategic management, risk analysis, and entrepreneurial business model. In addition, NU encourages students to gain hands-on experience through an internship. During the internship, students work alongside a CEO or manager in a new venture.
Northwood University-Texas is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Careers
Graduates with a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship have many career opportunities available to them. Entrepreneurship exists in almost every industry, so the demand for someone with business skills is high across the board. Graduates are qualified to not only be salespersons, but to work in managerial roles.
Sales Manager: Sales managers are in charge of the entire sales team in a company. They set goals for sales, collect and analyze data, and create training programs for incoming sales representatives. They travel often and commonly have to work nights and weekends. However, they receive a high salary for their efforts.
Median Annual Salary: $117,960
Projected Growth Rate: 7%
Marketing Manager: Marketing managers create advertisements and campaigns to generate an interest in various products and services. They often work in advertising agencies with art directors, financial staff members, and sales agents. Marketing managers create presentations, radio advertisements, press releases, billboard advertisements, and different forms of media.
Median Annual Salary: $127,560
Projected Growth Rate: 9%
Construction Manager: Construction managers are completely in charge of construction projects from start to finish. They plan, budget, coordinate, and supervise to make sure projects are carried out smoothly and effectively. Construction managers ensure that all employees are following the best safety practices to prevent injuries. They typically have a main office, but do almost all of their work in the field.
Median Annual Salary: $89,300
Projected Growth Rate: 11%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Choosing a Program
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Best Online Colleges 2018
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Courses for an online entrepreneurship degree are centered around teaching students fundamental business topics. Classes include advertising, developmental planning, management, microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics for business, business policy, basic information systems, and organizational behavior. Students learn how to obtain and organize resources that will aid in the creation and growth of a business. Owners must know how to hire employees, manage finances, and distribute services, goods, and information.
One of the most important skills that students learn is management. Students learn how to formulate a mission, goals, and vision for a business and how to productively identify strengths and weaknesses. They also learn about human resource management.
Specific requirements, program structure, and elective vary from school to school. Some schools offer certain concentrations or electives that students may find useful as they embark on business ventures. If you are interested in a particular industry, you might want to consider a program with classes in management for that field.
For career information, skip down:
Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Careers
Top Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Degree Programs Badge
Download this Badge
Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Degree Program Ranking Guidelines
We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.
RANKING METHODOLOGY
Methodology for College Rankings
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet—TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
Considers range of electives within that discipline
Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
Considers education background of the faculty
Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
Faculty
Curriculum
“Freshness” of academic knowledge
Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
Considers the following of the online classes:
Types of online technology used to deliver content
Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
Considers the following of instructors:
Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
Ratio to number of students in a class
Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
Accreditation
Public or private status
Acceptance rate
Retention rate
Graduation rate
ACT/SAT requirements
Cost in-state / out of state
Undergrad, grad, or both offered
Region
State
City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
?
The Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs
1 Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa
Buena Vista University - Storm Lake, Iowa
Buena Vista University ranks #1 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Buena Vista University offers courses through 16 campuses across the state of Iowa as well as online. An impressive 98% of Buena Vista graduates either land a job or enroll in graduate school within six months after graduation. Online students can choose from more than 30 online options. The online entrepreneurship program teaches students the fundamental skills they need–marketing, accounting, finance, and management–to build a successful enterprise or create a new venture.
Along with 14 foundational business courses, entrepreneurship students take six entrepreneurship-focused classes. One notable course, the social responsibility of business, teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to build mission-driven and socially-conscious enterprises. Students are encouraged to gain hands-on experience in the field. By the end of the program, all students must either complete a marketing internship or take an advanced elective. The curriculum consists of 55 credit hours. The school’s flexible programs have six start dates throughout the year and classes start every eight weeks.
Buena Vista’s programs, including the online entrepreneurship degree, are designed for students who have already completed some college. Applicants must have completed an associate degree or 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution. However, college level examination credits and life experience may be counted towards admission.
Buena Vista University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
2 Cleary University
Howell, Michigan
Cleary University, Howell, Michigan
Cleary University ranks #2 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Located in Michigan, Cleary University was founded in 1885 as a school of penmanship. Today, the university teaches students the skills they need to succeed in business. While Cleary University is an all-around business school, its online degree in entrepreneurship is particularly strong. The school’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship supports entrepreneurship students and Michigan’s business community through events, education, and other resources.
The school’s comprehensive entrepreneurship concentration, offered as part of the business administration major, focuses on teaching students critical thinking and communication skills, as well as the economic and legal theories they need to launch successful businesses. The program takes four years to complete. Students take 41 courses for a total of 120 credits. Some notable courses include creativity and innovation, startup seminar, and technology entrepreneurship. In addition, entrepreneurship students are required to complete a professional project in their last semester. Cleary encourages students to customize their coursework to reflect their specific interests. To this end, the entrepreneurship curriculum includes the opportunity to take seven different electives over four years.
Cleary prides itself on its flexible transfer policies. The school works with transfer students from community colleges, two-year institutions, and four-year universities in order to develop an appropriate academic plan. The school also has agreements with many Michigan colleges, making the transfer process for in-state students hassle-free.
Cleary University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
3Northwood University–Michigan
Midland, Michigan
Northwood University - Michigan
Northwood University – Michigan ranks #3 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Founded as Northwood Institute, Northwood University was established in 1959 in Alma, Michigan. Now based in Midland, NU is a private school known for its strong emphasis on business education. The school supports the values of the American free enterprise system through its undergraduate and graduate programs. Bachelor of business administration students can choose from 21 concentrations, including franchising management, innovation marketing, and entrepreneurship.
The entrepreneurship program is comprised of 126 semester hours and is typically completed in four years. The curriculum introduces students to fundamental business topics such as management, economics, and finance, but also includes some unusual courses for business majors. All undergraduates must take speech, ethics, and introduction to American government. While not directly related to business, the concepts students learn in these courses nonetheless can be useful in their careers.
Some interesting courses within the entrepreneurship concentration include new venture finance and successful business models, in which students analyze business plans of renowned entrepreneurs like John D. Rockefeller and John Jacob Astor. In addition, students can choose to complete an internship in the second semester of their junior years. Students can learn even more about the business world by speaking with Northwood’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, who serve as mentors to entrepreneurship students. Students considering an online entrepreneurship degree from NU may be interested in the four year BBA/MBA program. This accelerated track enables ambitious students to complete a BBA degree in three years and an MBA degree in one additional year.
Northwood University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
4 Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, North Carolina
Gardner Webb University
Gardner-Webb University ranks #4 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Founded in 1905 as Boiling Springs High School, Gardner-Webb University is a private institution located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. The school is Baptist-affiliated and was established through a partnership between two local Baptist associations. The school remains committed to Christian principles. Its mission is to prepare young people for fulfilling lives of service.
Through its five professional schools and two academic schools, Gardner-Webb offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate fields of study. The school accommodates all types of distance learners by offering many of these programs in hybrid or distance-only formats. Gardner-Webb also provides special training to professors who teach online courses in order to give its distance learners the most worthwhile experience possible.
Gardner-Webb’s BS in entrepreneurship program is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. The program teaches learners how to make a social impact through business. Students working toward the online degree in entrepreneurship learn to bring ethics, faith, and service to the business field. To this end, entrepreneurship students complete traditional business courses in enterprise creation, growth, and funding, but are also required to take courses in biblical studies. The entrepreneurship program is made up of 33 major credits, 15 of which must be completed at Gardner-Webb. This relaxed policy makes the school extraordinarily accommodating to transfer students.
Gardner-Webb University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
5University of Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, Minnesota
University of Minnesota Crookston
University of Minnesota Crookston ranks #5 on The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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The University of Minnesota-Crookston is a public baccalaureate institution that has been in operation since 1966. The school prides itself on its small size of just 1,800 students, which gives it an incredible student-to-faculty ratio of just 16 to 1. The school’s small class sizes allow professors to provide special attention and mentorship to each and every student. In addition, the school is attentive to its online learners, who make up half of the student body. The university has been offering online programs for 20 years, and its online programming includes 15 majors, nine minors, and five certificates.
The BS in entrepreneurship degree, available on campus or online, emphasizes learning through practice, and encourages students to take a hands-on approach to their studies. The 52-credit curriculum includes a course on field studies in entrepreneurship, where students consult with local small businesses to develop real world experience. In addition, all students, including those completing their entrepreneurship degree online, must participate in an internship.
The University of Minnesota Crookston charges in-state tuition to all of its students, making it an affordable option for out-of-state learners. More than 93% of graduates find employment within six months of graduation.
The University of Minnesota is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
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6Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri
Columbia College ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Established in 1851, Columbia College is a private institution rooted in more than 160 years of academic tradition. The school was founded as a Christian school for women, but became coeducational in 1970. CC has retained its ties with the the Christian Church, but encourages students of all faiths to apply. The school serves 29,000 students each year through its 35 campus locations and online programs.
Students at CC can choose from nine different online programs of study. CC is unique in that it offers career advising to its students for life. Online courses last eight weeks, and there are six sessions each year. As a result, students can complete a bachelor’s degree in under three-and-a-half years.
Columbia College offers two tracks for bachelor’s in entrepreneurship students: a BS in business administration and a BA in business administration. Both tracks require a minimum of 120 credits of coursework, 39 of which are advanced level courses. The entrepreneurship major is comprised of 18 credits, including six credits of electives. Students pursuing the business entrepreneurship degree online can opt to take courses such as e-marketing and social media, which will them succeed in today’s technology-oriented business world.
Columbia College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
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7 Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas
Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas
Lamar University ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Located in Beaumont, Texas, Lamar University is a public college that was founded in 1923. The school has expanded dramatically in the last 90 years, growing from just 125 students to more than 15,000. A member of The Texas State University System, LU is recognized as one of the fastest growing institutions of higher education in the state. LU offers more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs of study, 23 of which are available online. Courses are offered in accelerated 8-week semesters or traditional 15-week semesters.
The bachelor of business administration degree in entrepreneurship is made up of 48 core courses, 27 lower level electives, and 45 advanced level electives, for a combined total of 120 credit hours. What makes Lamar’s entrepreneurship curriculum unique is its focus on modern business technology. Students complete coursework in data analysis, business analysis, and strategic analysis. Distance learners can expect to complete the online degree in entrepreneurship in 48 months.
Students must have a GPA of at least 2.0 in order to be considered for the entrepreneurship program. The online tuition rate is law, making receiving an education affordable. Transfer students from two-year colleges may apply up to 66 credits.
Lamar University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
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8 University of Maine at Machias
Machias, Maine
University of Maine Machias
University of Maine at Machias ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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The University of Maine at Machias was founded in 1909 as a teachers college. Over the last 108 years, the school has stayed true to its roots, priding itself on its small class sizes and impressive student-to-faculty ratio of just 12 to 1. The tiny student population of just 800 facilitates a more intimate classroom environment than one might find at a larger university. As a result, the school is a good fit for students who prefer a more personalized learning experience.
Three of the school’s 11 programs of study are available online, which means that students can get all the perks of a small school without ever setting foot on campus. Plus, Machias limits online cohort groups to ensure that distance learners get the same one-on-one experience that on-campus students get.
The bachelor of science in business and entrepreneurial studies teaches students the specific skills and talents they need to succeed in any facet of a new enterprise. Students can choose from five concentrations: accounting, management, marketing, business sustainability, or sports and fitness management. Alternately, students have the flexibility to design a concentration that is tailored specifically to their career aspirations. Some interesting and unusual courses include social media analytics, international marketing, and business spreadsheet applications. The curriculum is comprised of 120 credits, and students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to graduate.
The University of Maine is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CIHE).
9 Bluefield College
Bluefield, Virginia
Bluefield College, Bluefield, Virginia
Bluefield College ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Bluefield College, founded in 1922, is a Baptist-affiliated college located in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Though it serves under 1,000 students, the school offers more than 40 programs. On-campus and online students benefit from 15-person class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1. In 2011, the school made all of its accelerated programs accessible online. Today, more than 300 working professionals are enrolled in one of Bluefield’s online programs.
One of Bluefield’s notable distance programs is its online management and leadership major. Through its 126-credit curriculum, the program helps students master important skills such as strategic planning, team building, and contemporary leadership. Management students may choose to pursue the e-business and entrepreneurship minor. The minor introduces students to the basics of entrepreneurship, and then teaches them how to build and grow a business. Courses such as e-business and franchising teach students growth techniques for the modern era.
Students who enter the program with transfer credits can complete the accelerated bachelor’s in entrepreneurship in as few as 13 months. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.0 to qualify for Bluefield’s online programs.
Bluefield College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
10Northwood University–Texas
Cedar Hill, Texas
Northwood University - Texas
Northwood University – Texas ranks among The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Programs!
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Northwood University-Texas is a private college located in Cedar Hill. It is a satellite location for Northwood’s main campus, which is located in Michigan. Northwood established its Texas location during its push to expand in the late 1960s. In 2014, NU closed its residential buildings at the Texas campus and began putting more resources towards distance and adult education. Now, NU serves as a hub for the school’s online students in the Southwest.
NU is a business-only school committed to supporting the American capitalist system. The school’s BBA program allows students to choose from more than 20 concentrations. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, ensuring that it consistently provides a high-caliber business education.
The school’s online bachelor’s in entrepreneurship program is distinguished by its emphasis on case-based education. As part of the degree’s 126 credits, students are required to take courses that go beyond theory and teach students to analyze real-world scenarios. Courses include strategic management, risk analysis, and entrepreneurial business model. In addition, NU encourages students to gain hands-on experience through an internship. During the internship, students work alongside a CEO or manager in a new venture.
Northwood University-Texas is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship Careers
Graduates with a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship have many career opportunities available to them. Entrepreneurship exists in almost every industry, so the demand for someone with business skills is high across the board. Graduates are qualified to not only be salespersons, but to work in managerial roles.
Sales Manager: Sales managers are in charge of the entire sales team in a company. They set goals for sales, collect and analyze data, and create training programs for incoming sales representatives. They travel often and commonly have to work nights and weekends. However, they receive a high salary for their efforts.
Median Annual Salary: $117,960
Projected Growth Rate: 7%
Marketing Manager: Marketing managers create advertisements and campaigns to generate an interest in various products and services. They often work in advertising agencies with art directors, financial staff members, and sales agents. Marketing managers create presentations, radio advertisements, press releases, billboard advertisements, and different forms of media.
Median Annual Salary: $127,560
Projected Growth Rate: 9%
Construction Manager: Construction managers are completely in charge of construction projects from start to finish. They plan, budget, coordinate, and supervise to make sure projects are carried out smoothly and effectively. Construction managers ensure that all employees are following the best safety practices to prevent injuries. They typically have a main office, but do almost all of their work in the field.
Median Annual Salary: $89,300
Projected Growth Rate: 11%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics