By TBD Staff
July 2017
What can an advanced degree in Entrepreneurship do for you? If you’re interested in starting your own business or improving your skills to manage the one you are currently operating, this is an excellent choice. Choosing to enroll in an online degree program gives you the option of working towards your educational goals at a time that fits your schedule.
We researched online master’s degrees in entrepreneurship to come up with the top 10 programs in the United States. We used College Navigator, an online database of colleges and universities, to search for schools offering this exciting area of study. We narrowed down our list to only accredited schools with online programs. We felt that entrepreneurship was a unique area of study and thus only included schools with a stand-alone entrepreneurship program rather than those offered as a concentration area within an MBA program. Schools we selected for our list feature highly educated faculty, a curriculum supporting the spirit of entrepreneurship, and opportunities beyond the classroom for personal and professional growth. Below is our list of the top 10 master’s in entrepreneurship online programs.
Our picks for Top Online Master’s in Entrepreneurship Degree Programs
#10 Colorado Technical University-San Jose, California
Master of Arts in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Online
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $34,000
What’s Unique
Colorado Technical University offers an online master’s in entrepreneurship and innovation designed for students in small business or who want to apply this education to advance to a larger organization. This 30 credit hour program features 100% online coursework with no on-campus residency requirement and team based learning, conducted in a virtual environment. Faculty serve as mentors for students and encourage students to achieve their personal and professional goals. Course offerings include finance and accounting, sales and negotiations, social media and online marketing, and leadership and management. Each course is eight weeks long and students can begin the program during any of the five start dates offered throughout the year.
#9 University of Dallas-Irving, Texas
Online Master of Leadership
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $30,200
What’s Unique
The online master’s in leadership from the University of Dallas Braniff Graduate School is designed to provide personal and professional growth for executive level professionals and emerging leaders. Students can expect to learn leadership skills needed to use their vision and ambition to create successful organizations. The program consists of three parts including a leadership core, a capstone experience, and elective coursework. Coursework is focused on leadership with core courses including the ethics of leadership, critical and strategic thinking, and managing complex organizations.
#8 Everglades University-Boca Raton, Florida
Online Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $16,800
What’s Unique
Everglades University features an online master’s in entrepreneurship designed to prepare students for a careers as professional entrepreneurs. This 36 credit hour program can be completed in about a year and requires no on-campus residency. Students develop an understanding of entrepreneurial business concepts and strategies in order to make effective decisions. Courses cover areas such as marketing management, new venture creation, global business ventures, and leadership skills.
#7 Full Sail University-Winter Park, Florida
Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Online
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $16,401
What’s Unique
The 12 month online master’s in innovation and entrepreneurship program at Full Sail University is a unique program teaching students how to turn concepts into reality. Students develop an understanding of product design and development to meet the needs of a global environment. Students complete one course each month and explore topics such as business feasibility, marketing strategies, finance, innovative work environments, and business model implementation. Each course features hands on-learning and is an ideal program for students with or without a startup already in mind.
#6 Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana
Online Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $8,695
What’s Unique
Indiana University offers a 30 credit hour online master’s in economic development and entrepreneurship designed for students who want to begin their own business or utilize corporate innovation within their current employment setting. Students can earn their degree in just 15 months and can expect to learn how to share the spirit of entrepreneurship and apply frameworks to determine which opportunities are worthy of an investment. While courses are offered online, students are required to participate in three on campus residency courses. A one week “kick off course” provides students with the opportunity to start the program on the right foot. The Silicon Valley Venture Challenge provides students with the opportunity to pitch concepts and learn about the tech industry. The third intensive is The Intensive Immersion Challenge in which students compete against other teams to pitch new business launch ideas.
#5 Peru State College-Peru, Nebraska
Master of Science in Organizational Management-Entrepreneurial and Economic Development
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $7,800
What’s Unique
The Master of Science in Organizational Management — with a focus on entrepreneurial and economic development– is a unique program blending principles of organizational management with economic development and entrepreneurship. Courses are delivered in eight week terms and include: program evaluation; e-commerce and internet communication; economic development; conflict management; and management of innovation and growth. Students can choose whether to complete a thesis project or an internship experience lasting 16 weeks. Students can elect to complete an additional course in Human Resource Development and earn their Certificate of Advanced Studies in Organizational Development in addition to their master’s degree.
#4 American Public University System-Charles Town, West Virginia
Online Master’s of Arts in Entrepreneurship
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $6,300
What’s Unique
The ACBSP accredited online master’s in entrepreneurship program at American Public University System is a 36 credit hour program that can be completed in just two years of study. Courses are offered entirely online and there are no residency requirements. Students can choose a concentration in small business or sports fitness, or complete a general program. Program objectives include teaching students to effectively target customer needs, develop mission and vision statements, prepare financial forecasts, design a strategic plan, and evaluate current and future business needs. Students can transfer in up to 15 credit hours of approved coursework, saving both time and money.
#3 University of Houston-Victoria, Texas
MS Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $5,798
What’s Unique
The University of Houston-Victoria offers an online master’s in economic development and entrepreneurship focused on real world application. This 36 credit hour program focuses on both economic development and entrepreneurship because “entrepreneurship enhances economic development.” Students can expect to learn how to start and launch a sustainable business in their community. Fully accredited by the AACSB International, this online master’s in entrepreneurship is one of the best programs in the country to learn about how to create and grow a profitable business.
#2 Oklahoma State University-Stillwater, Oklahoma
Online Master’s in Entrepreneurship
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $5,033
What’s Unique
Oklahoma State University offers an online master’s in entrepreneurship designed to immerse students in the spirit of entrepreneurship. Students come from a variety of backgrounds and interests including both non-profit and for-profit organizations. The 33 credit hour program features a 12 credit hour business core, an 18 credit hour entrepreneurial core, and a three credit hour practicum experience. Students are engaged in learning outside of the classroom through a variety of entrepreneurial organizations and initiatives including the OSU entrepreneurial network. Tuition is very affordable and OSU offers an active duty military tuition rate to make education affordable for members of the military.
#1 Western Carolina University-Cullowhee, North Carolina
Online Master of Entrepreneurship
Tuition
Average Graduate Student Tuition for an Academic Year: $4,348
What’s Unique
The online master’s of entrepreneurship program at Western Carolina University is the most affordable program to make our list. The program was designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs and, unlike most other programs, all coursework is directly related to entrepreneurship. Courses are offered entirely online, allowing students to continue working while attending school. Fortune Small Business magazine considers WCU one of the top five schools offering a program in entrepreneurship. Courses are divided into three sets. One set is focused on developing an actionable business plan. A second set uses a business simulation to experience what it is like to run a start-up. The third set provides students with the resources needed to run a startup. Most students can earn their degree in less than six semesters of study.