Top 25 Best Grad Programs for Entrepreneurs in 2018 The Princeton Review, in partnership with Entrepreneur, ranks the top graduate programs at universities.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Nobody instinctively knows how to build a company. They either throw themselves into the role as a first-time leader, or they begin inside a classroom at the growing number of colleges and universities now catering to entrepreneurs' needs.
Inside these institutions, future founders and CEOs are taught the skills and -- perhaps just as important --meet the people that empower them to turn smart ideas into real companies.
Each year, Entrepreneur partners with The Princeton Review to rank the top 25 undergraduate and top 25 graduate programs for entrepreneurs. The annual survey looks at more than 300 colleges and universities (including one in Mexico) and weighs each institution's commitment to surrounding its students with world-class mentors, professors, and alumni, as well as an environment for budding entrepreneurs to thrive. (To read more about our methodology, pick up our Dec. 2017 issue of Entrepreneur.)
Related: Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made?
Click on the slideshow to see who made the list for the top 25 graduate programs for entrepreneurship.
Arthur Rock Center for EntrepreneurshipHarvard University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Harvard University was established in 2003. It currently offers 37 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 84 companies and have collectively raised nearly $1.5 billion in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 319 companies and have collectively raised nearly $5.8 billion in funding.
Fifty-seven percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 143 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Entrepreneurship InitiativeRice University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Rice University was established in 2001. It currently offers 30 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 245 companies and have collectively raised over $3.8 billion in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 319 companies and have collectively raised nearly $4.1 billion in funding.
Eighty-three percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 156 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and InnovationUniversity of Chicago
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at the University of Chicago was established in 1998. It currently offers 25 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 317 companies and have collectively raised nearly $327 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 387 companies and have collectively raised nearly $930.2 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Chicago students won $1.4 million in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Fifty-seven percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 469 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Arthur M. Blank Center for EntrepreneurshipBabson College
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Babson College was established in 1978. It currently offers 36 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 643 companies and have collectively raised $15.2 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 1,104 companies and have collectively raised nearly $103 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Babson College students won $55,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 77 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
The Larry and Carol Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial PracticeNorthwestern University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Northwestern University was established in 2003. It currently offers 60 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 224 companies and have collectively raised over $191 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 428 companies and have collectively raised nearly $1.2 billion in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Northwestern University students won $248,050 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Eighty-eight percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 328 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship & TechnologyBrigham Young University
In-state: $12,310 (LDS)
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Brigham Young University was established in 1989. It currently offers 30 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 168 companies and have collectively raised nearly $505.7 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 225 companies and have collectively raised over $608 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Brigham Young University students won $107,750 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Ninety-two percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 196 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Related: 5 Schools That Offer Serious Cash for Business Plan Competitions
Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and InnovationUniversity of Virginia
In-state: $62,800
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Virginia was established in 1995. It currently offers 28 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 123 companies and have collectively raised over $222.4 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 281 companies and have collectively raised nearly $651.5 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Virginia students won $20,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 95 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship InstituteTemple University
In-state: $32,558
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Temple University was established in 1997. It currently offers 76 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 158 companies and have collectively raised over $1.6 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 221 companies and have collectively raised over $57.4 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Temple University students won $84,500 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 276 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Ross School of Business, Zell Lurie Institute; College of Engineering, Center for EntrepreneurshipUniversity of Michigan
In-state: $56,918
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Michigan was established in 1999. It currently offers 59 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 172 companies and have collectively raised over $98.6 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 295 companies and have collectively raised over $148 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Michigan students won $46,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Forty-one percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 204 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Lawrence N. Field Center for EntrepreneurshipBernard Baruch College, The City University of New York
In-state: $15,039
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Bernard Baruch College, The City University of New York was established in 1993. It currently offers 19 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 383 companies and have collectively raised $49 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 709 companies and have collectively raised over $67.6 million in funding.
Eighty-three percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 70 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
University of South FloridaUniversity of South Florida
In-state: $11,253
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at the University of South Florida was established in 2002. It currently offers 58 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 342 companies and have collectively raised $26 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 407 companies and have collectively raised over $30 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of South Florida students won $82,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 63 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Kenan Flagler Business SchoolUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
In-state: $43,106
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was established in 1985. It currently offers 31 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 41 companies and have collectively raised over $20.5 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 59 companies and have collectively raised over $50 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students won $555,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Ninety-five percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 100 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
NU Center for Entrepreneurship EducationNortheastern University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Northeastern University was established in 2012. It currently offers 72 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 130 companies and have collectively raised over $9.8 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 145 companies and have collectively raised over $10.2 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year Northeastern University students won $50,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Forty-seven percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 201 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Center for EntrepreneurshipUniversity of Oklahoma
In-state: $16,229
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at the University of Oklahoma was established in 2003. It currently offers 10 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 16 companies and have collectively raised $412 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 24 companies and have collectively raised over $419.5 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Oklahoma students won $10,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Eighty percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 51 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Related: 5 Schools That Offer Undergrad Entrepreneurs Hands-On Experience
Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship; Blackstone LaunchpadSyracuse University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Syracuse University was established in 1996. It currently offers 24 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 90 companies. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 131 companies.
During the 2016-17 academic year Syracuse University students won $243,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Its entire graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 40 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
McCombs School of BusinessUniversity of Texas at Austin
In-state: $35,324
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at the University of Texas at Austin was established in 2001. It currently offers 46 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 70 companies. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 110 companies.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Texas at Austin students won $93,500 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Ninety-two percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 208 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
W. R. Berkley Innovation LabsNew York University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at New York University was established in 1983. It currently offers 18 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 34 companies and have collectively raised nearly $121 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 82 companies and have collectively raised over $217 million in funding.
Thirty-six percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 50 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Center for New Ventures and EntrepreneurshipTexas A&M University
In-state: $22,213
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Texas A&M University was established in 1999. It currently offers 16 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 500 companies and have collectively raised $5 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 1,000 companies.
During the 2016-17 academic year Texas A&M University students won $110,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Thirty-three percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 100 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Community Education and Outreach Programs)University of Texas at Dallas
Out of state: $32,974
In-state: $18,064
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at the University of Texas at Dallas was established in 2005. It currently offers 24 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 357 companies and have collectively raised $12 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 462 companies and have collectively raised $50 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Texas at Dallas students won $46,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Sixty-nine percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 91 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Coleman Entrepreneurship CenterDePaul University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at DePaul University was established in 2003. It currently offers 43 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 92 companies and have collectively raised nearly $12.5 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 157 companies and have collectively raised nearly $144 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year DePaul University students won $20,000 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Sixty-one percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 40 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Ain Center for EntrepreneurshipUniversity of Rochester
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Rochester was established in 2006. It currently offers 27 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 105 companies and have collectively raised nearly $41 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 181 companies and have collectively raised $180 million in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of Rochester students won $6,750 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Seventy-nine percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 134 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Related: The 5 Grad Schools With the Most Opportunities for Mentorship
Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation & EntrepreneurshipWashington University in St. Louis
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at Washington University in St. Louis was established in 2003. It currently offers 33 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 52 companies and have collectively raised over $55.2 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 78 companies and have collectively raised over $99.7 million in funding.
Eighty percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 340 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Lassonde Entrepreneur InstituteUniversity of Utah
In-state: $26,933
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of Utah was established in 2002. It currently offers 15 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 81 companies and have collectively raised over $18.3 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 146 companies and have collectively raised nearly $134.5 million in funding.
Seventy-three percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 90 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (CFEE)George Washington University
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at the George Washington University was established in 1986. It currently offers 8 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 50 companies and have collectively raised nearly $20.4 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 60 companies and have collectively raised nearly $141.8 million in funding.
Eighty percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 36 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
California Institute for Innovation and DevelopmentUniversity of California San Diego
In-state: $46,775
About the program
The entrepreneurship center at University of California San Diego was established in 2012. It currently offers 19 entrepreneurship-related graduate courses. Over the last five years, its graduates have started 67 companies and have collectively raised $500 million in funding. Over the last 10 years, its graduates have started 128 companies and have collectively raised nearly $2 billion in funding.
During the 2016-17 academic year University of California San Diego students won $66,250 in prize money at competitions they participated in.
Seventy-seven percent of the total graduate entrepreneurship faculty has started, bought or run a successful business, and 30 individual mentors worked with students through an officially sponsored school program.
