Entrepreneurship is a topic that’s been in the news quite a bit lately. From Silicon Valley to Shark Tank, we hear stories of what it takes to be successful. Entrepreneurship can be an exciting and rewarding pursuit that allows you to build something from the ground up.
Entrepreneurship is a preferred option for many, even though the low U.S. unemployment rate indicates there are enough job options available for Americans. In fact, nearly 16% of the adult population in the U.S choose to become entrepreneurs.
In the past, entrepreneurship used to be seen as a solitary activity in which you worked your way to success through hard work and sheer moxie, but now it is understood that most successful entrepreneurs have received specialized training or education before they started their businesses.
What Is A Degree In Entrepreneurship
A degree in entrepreneurship provides learners with the knowledge and skills needed to start a new business. It’s a field of study that combines business and management skills with knowledge about starting and running a new business. Networking is also a crucial component of the college experience. Students can find internships and jobs through their network, as well as mentors who guide them during their time at school.
Difference Between Entrepreneurship And Business Management.
Entrepreneurship and business management are two different concepts that are sometimes confused with each other. While both have some similarities, their differences are very clear-cut.
| Entrepreneurs | Business Management | |
| Meaning | Entrepreneurship is the process of creating a business by making an investment that has the potential to generate income. | Business management is the process of directing, controlling and managing people in a formally organized group. |
| Function | Entrepreneurship involves starting up and running a business. | Oversees ongoing operation. |
| Status | An entrepreneur owns the business | Is an employee of a business |
| Mode of operation | Makes decisions based on their gut instincts and a willingness to take risks. | Make decisions based on the collection of information and advice, which is then processed through deductive logic. |
Online Degrees In Entrepreneurship
If you’re looking to get into the world of entrepreneurship, or if you already are an entrepreneur and want to expand your knowledge, then getting an online degree in entrepreneurship is a great idea. The best part about getting an online degree in entrepreneurship is that you can do it at your own pace. You also have the flexibility to work around other responsibilities you may have.
Students can choose from a range of online Associates, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in entrepreneurship.
Available online degrees include
| Degree | Credits (vary by school) | Admission prerequisites (vary by school) |
| Associate of Applied Business (AAB); Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS), | 60 | High school transcripts; Personal essay; Letters of recommendation |
| Bachelor of Arts (BA); Bachelor of Science (BS); Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA); Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA); | 120 | High school transcripts, GPA 2.0 Personal essay; Letters of recommendation |
| Master of Arts (MA); Master of Science (MS); Master of Business Administration (MBA); Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA); | 40-60 | Personal essay; Resume; Transcripts from previously attended schools; Letters of Recommendation |
As more adults take up entrepreneurship as a career, the demand for flexible educational opportunities has increased. Because of this, US Degrees has researched the available programs for entrepreneurs that can be obtained online.
Using data from NCES, Niche.com, and other sources, we have compiled a list of 33 online degree programs that are best suited for future entrepreneurs.
10 Best Online Associate Degrees In Entrepreneurship
<h3>#1. Forsyth Technical Community College
Program: Entrepreneurship, AAS
Tuition: $76.00 per credit (in-state); $268.00 per credit. (out-of-state)
Accreditation: Accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Financial Aid: Available, with 75% of students receiving aid.
The Entrepreneurship AAS program is offered by Forsyth Technical Community to prepare students to succeed as self-employed business owners and grow as entrepreneurs. Students study entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, business funding strategies, and marketing in their coursework.
#2. Catawba Valley Community College
Program: Entrepreneurship (AAS)
Tuition: $76.00 per credit (In-state); $268.00 per credit (Out-of-state)
Accreditation: Accredited by SACSCOC
Financial Aid: Available, with 91% of students receiving aid.
Students who complete the Entrepreneurship AAS program at Catawba Valley Community College will acquire the tools to successfully start and run their own businesses. An emphasis is placed on the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship in the program. By developing an entrepreneurial vision and desire, graduates can recognize opportunities, make informed decisions, and realize their dreams.
#3. Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Business Management/Entrepreneurship (AAS)
Tuition: $105 per credit (US residents); $210 per credit (International Students)
Accreditation: Accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
Financial Aid: Available, with 95% of students receiving aid.
With this Business Management/Entrepreneurship (AAS) degree, students can learn how to identify opportunities, launch a successful company, or join a successful organization as a leader. As a result of this two-year degree, students will gain a broad understanding of all aspects of business and be prepared to operate or manage a profit or nonprofit organization after graduation.
#4. College of Southern Idaho
Program: Business Management/Entrepreneur Program, AAS
Tuition: $140.00 per credit (in-state); $285.00 per credit. (out-of-state)
Accreditation: Accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Financial Aid: Available, with 93% of students receiving aid.
The Business Management/Entrepreneur Program at Southern Idaho University provides students with the skills necessary to own and operate their own businesses or to undertake entry-level leadership positions. Topics include basic management philosophy and theory, organizational psychology, working well in teams, business strategy development, and analytical decision-making.
#5. Northcentral Technical College
Program: Small Business Entrepreneurship Associate Degree
Tuition: $143.45 per credit (resident); $215.18 per credit (non-resident)
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by Higher Learning Commission and ranks #3 best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
Financial Aid: Available, with 76% of students receiving aid.
This Associate Degree program in Small Business Entrepreneurship, which consists of 62-credits, is intended to provide small business owners and entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and abilities they need to succeed and help them achieve their dreams. This program emphasizes the skills needed to build and grow a small business while covering basic business skills such as accounting, management, and marketing.
#6. Tidewater Community College
Program: AAS – Specialization In Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $156.00 per credit (In-state); $332.60 per credit (Out-of-state)
Accreditation: Accredited by SACSCOC
Financial Aid: Available, with 63% of students receiving aid.
The AAS in Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship degree combines accounting, finance, business law, and marketing fundamentals with entrepreneurship and business planning courses to provide a comprehensive business education. This course covers theoretical and practical aspects of accounting and marketing for small businesses, legal considerations, planning, control, communication, financial management, and supervision.
#7. Fox Valley Technical College
Program: Small Business Entrepreneurship, AAS
Tuition: $160.85 per credit
Accreditation and ranking: Accredited by Higher Learning Commission and ranks #3 Best Community Colleges in America.
Financial Aid: Available, with 67% of students receiving aid.
As part of the AAS in Small Business Entrepreneurship program, students explore the relationship between entrepreneurial thinking and opportunity. Those creative sparks are converted into business ventures. This course teaches students how to write detailed business plans for start-ups. Furthermore, students learn how to start and grow their own successful businesses through marketing, accounting, and finance classes.
#8. Zane State College
Program: Entrepreneurship (AAB)
Tuition: $189 per credit (In-state); $371 per credit (Out-of-state)
Accreditation: Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Financial Aid: Available, with 75% of students receiving aid.
The AAB program in Entrepreneurship at Zane State College prepares students to start and operate a small business. The graduates will be able to recognize and resolve problems and needs in their local communities. Among the topics covered in the course are small business management, marketing, professional sales principle, accounting, and microeconomics.
#9. Hudson Valley Community College
Program: Entrepreneurship (AAS)
Tuition: $200.00 per credit (In-state); $400.00 per credit (Out-of-state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Financial Aid: Available, with 81% of students receiving aid.
This Entrepreneurship AAS will teach students the fundamentals needed to help them improve their odds of creating a successful business. The program guides students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, learn how to manage small businesses, market their businesses, and understand legal issues small business owners face.
#10. Central Penn College
Program: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Associate Degree
Tuition: $509 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Financial Aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving aid.
If you’re thinking of starting your own company or if you are already running your own business and want to do it better, the Entrepreneurship & Small Business program at Central Penn is for you. Learning the fundamentals of innovation and initiative gives you hands-on experience designing and shaping a company.
13 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees In Entrepreneurship
#1. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Program: BS in Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $222.00 per credit hour (in-state); $854.00 per credit hour (out of state)
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by SACSCOC; programmatic accreditation by AACSB and ranks #5 Best Colleges for Business in North Carolina
Financial Aid: Available, with 86% of students receiving aid.
One of the largest cross-disciplinary programs in the U.S., the online Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship provides skills necessary for starting or growing a business. Over the course of nine courses, students create concept models, feasibility studies, business plans, and implementation plans for businesses and innovative ventures.
#2. Fort Hays State University
Program: BBA in management, Concentration In Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $226.88 per credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and ranks #5 Top Public Universities in Kansas
Financial Aid: Available, with 96% of students receiving aid.
This BBA in management with entrepreneurship concentration prepares students to understand the basic framework of entrepreneurship. Students are able to identify and evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as exploit them. This entrepreneurship concentration will benefit students interested in starting a business or non-profit organization or acting entrepreneurially within an established organization.
#3. American Public University System
Program: Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $285 per credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Regionally Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; programmatic accreditation by ACBSP and ranks #1 Best Value Colleges in West Virginia
Financial Aid: Available, with 98% of students receiving aid.
The 100% online BA in Entrepreneurship at APUS covers idea generation, marketing, business management, operations, capital funding, and legal aspects. The program involves developing a pitch, creating ads, and creating a final business plan.
#4. Louisiana State University of Alexandria
Program: BS in Business Administration with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $291 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by SACSCOC; programmatic accreditation by ACBSP
Financial Aid: Available, with 94% of students receiving aid.
LSU Alexandria offers a 120-credit online BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, one of the country’s most affordable undergraduate business programs. The topics covered in this concentration include marketing, financing, and operational skills.
#5. Columbia College
Program: BS-Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $375 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; programmatic accreditation by ACBSP
Financial Aid: Available, with 98% of students receiving aid.
Students in this innovation and entrepreneurship program take a variety of courses to prepare them for the entrepreneurship world. Graduating students are ready to sustain, implement, and see their ideas through to maturity by using foundational business skills learnt from this program.
#6. Lynn University
Program: BS in Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $375 per credit
Accreditation: Accredited by SACSCOC
Financial Aid: Available, with 99% of students receiving aid.
Lynn University’s bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship prepares students for starting or expanding a business. It lays a solid foundation for business success by integrating innovation, strategy, marketing, and entrepreneurship essentials. Through this program, students will gain the skills necessary to launch their own brand, take a startup from launch to success, or pursue a career in a large company.
#7. National American University
Program: Business Administration with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $380 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Financial Aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving aid.
Through this online BA program, students will gain the knowledge base and strategic mindset necessary to succeed in a business career. Upon graduation, graduates are prepared for a variety of careers in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Graduates of this program would also be well prepared for a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) program.
#8. Franklin University
Program: BS Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $398 per credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; programmatic accreditation by IACBE and ranks #3 Best Colleges for Business in Ohio
Financial Aid: Available, with 25% of students receiving aid.
Through this transfer-friendly online Entrepreneurship program, students will understand the social and economic factors contributing to a new business’s success and the concepts required to build and sustain a successful entrepreneurial venture. A network of Franklin alums and faculty who practice what they teach will support students as they work toward their degrees.
#9. California Intercontinental University
Program: BBA -Internet Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $438 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission; programmatic accreditation by ACBSP
Financial Aid: Available, with 86% of students receiving aid.
In this online BBA program, students gain an understanding of business principles and practices as well as the skills necessary to apply them to Internet marketing and entrepreneurship. Modern business practices are covered in the program with knowledge of current practices in business organizations.
#10. Grand Canyon University
Program: BS Applied Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $485 per credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; programmatic accreditation by the ACBSP and ranks #2 Best Colleges for Business in Arizona
Financial Aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving aid.
Learn about innovation, cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit, and develop your business skills in this online BS program in Applied Entrepreneurship. In this program offered by Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business, students explore business principles, build analytical skills, and learn to solve problems in a global economy.
#11. Johnson & Wales University
Program: BSBA Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $495 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
Financial Aid: Available, with 83% of students receiving aid.
This online BS in Business Administration – Entrepreneurship program will prepare students to manage small businesses and startups. The knowledge they gain will enable graduates to start their own businesses and work at small businesses and startups. Entrepreneurship majors will also gain a deeper understanding of intrapreneurship and how to lead organizational change.
#12. University Of Michigan- Flint
Program: BBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management
Tuition: $516.00 per credit hour (in-state); $569.50 per credit hour (out of state)
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and ranks #8 Colleges with the Best Professors in Michigan
Financial Aid: Available, with 98% of students receiving aid.
UM-Flint’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management program emphasizes entrepreneurship, innovation, new product development management, conflict resolution and negotiation, team-building, and project management.
#13. Cambridge College Global
Program: BS-Social Entrepreneurship Management
Tuition: $1,449 per course
Accreditation: Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
Financial Aid: Available, with 33% of students receiving aid.
This online BS in Social Entrepreneurship Management prepares graduates for innovation, leadership, and success in social good. Through this program, students will be prepared for careers in organizations such as B-corporations, benefit corporations, non-profits, and for-profits that practice conscious capitalism, where they can maximize their vision of helping others.
10 Best Online Masters Degrees In Entrepreneurship
#1. American Public University
Program: Master of Arts in Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $250 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; programmatic accreditation by ACBSP
Financial Aid: Available, with 98% of students receiving aid.
Among the few entrepreneurship master’s programs available online, the MA in Entrepreneurship at APU focuses on idea generation, financing, and funding. Students learn about ideation, marketing, management, and capital funding as well as the practical application of business concepts.
#2. East Texas Baptist University
Program: MBA with a specialization in entrepreneurship
Tuition: $387 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by SACSCOC
Financial Aid: Available, with 99% of students receiving aid.
In this MBA program, 33 credit hours are delivered over three semesters. The Entrepreneurship Specialization allows students to tailor coursework to their entrepreneurial goals. As part of the program, students will develop a comprehensive business plan through three-hour-long courses.
#3. Houston Baptist University
Program: MS Management & Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $585 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by SACSCOC
Financial Aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving aid.
This MBA program is designed for students who did not major in business at their undergraduate levels. The program espouses moral solid leadership and Christian ethics. Students learn how to use business theories to connect with practical strategies for designing and developing new business ventures.
#4. Salve Regina University
Program: MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Enterprise
Tuition: $670 per credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and ranks #3 Best Colleges in Rhode Island.
Financial Aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving aid.
This MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Enterprise program focuses on developing leadership skills in students using business ethics, social responsibility, and quantitative skills. Students learn how to deal with cyber security, globalization, and business law in real-life situations.
#5. Concordia University Wisconsin
Program: MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $799 per credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and ranks #3 Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin.
Financial Aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving aid.
In this MBA program, students learn from faculty who have hands-on experience and work alongside a diverse student body that offers a variety of points of view. As part of the school’s CU Launch initiative, students can receive free business coaching and pitch their own business ideas.
#6. Everglades University
Program: Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $800 per credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by SACSCOC and ranks #1 Best Online Colleges in Florida.
Financial Aid: Available, with 99% of students receiving aid.
The Entrepreneurship Master’s Degree at Everglades University connects the application of entrepreneurial concepts in different business models. Students learn to use various theories as business strategies in real-life scenarios.
#7. Full Sail University
Program: MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $972 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Financial Aid: Available, with 71% of students receiving aid
With the MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship program at Full Sail, students can apply special skills and innovation strategies in existing businesses. The program prepares students using product design and development concepts for the rapidly changing market. Students will learn how to analyze case studies and be able to come up with new products and services that consumers need or want.
#8. University of Arizona
Program: MS in Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $1,000 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Financial Aid: Available, with 95% of students receiving aid.
Students can earn a Master of Entrepreneurship (MSE) in just 12 months, enabling them to launch new business opportunities in large organizations or start their own companies. In these courses, students meet other professionals with similar interests in innovation and entrepreneurship. MSE content emphasizes specific career-building outcomes and skills.
#9. Penn State World Campus
Program: Masters in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Tuition: $1,007 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education; programmatic accreditation by AACSB
Financial Aid: Available, with 72% of students receiving aid.
This MBA program helps students to develop their creative skills in business development. Students learn to be mentors for innovators and present innovative solutions to stakeholders. The program focuses on practical skills that aid the success of a new business with groundbreaking products.
#10. Drexel University Online
Program: MS in Entrepreneurship And Innovation
Tuition: $1,133 per credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and ranks #8 Best Colleges for Business in Pennsylvania
Financial Aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving aid.
With Drexel’s Master’s in Entrepreneurship online, students develop their entrepreneurial mindset and develop the skills they need to launch a new company or create a culture of innovation within one. Among the entrepreneurial skills developed in this program are initiative, calculated risk-taking, recognizing opportunities, creating value, adaptability, and more.
What Degree Does An Entrepreneur Need
For many entrepreneurs, a college education provides the background and training needed to succeed. Most begin by earning a bachelor’s degree and then enrolling in an MBA program, where they learn to apply their creativity in building ventures. According to data from Zippia, 38% of self-employed workers have a bachelor’s degree, 22% have earned their high school diploma, and 22% hold associate degrees.
The self-employment rate for people with less than a high school diploma is very low. This may not come as a surprise, considering the responsibilities involved in running your own business.
Occupational Outlook For Self-Employed Individuals
Before starting a business, you may want to research which occupations are expected to have strong growth with good returns. The best place to begin is by looking at projections data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. The following chart highlights the projected growth of self-employment by industry between 2016-2026.
How Much Money Can You Make with an Entrepreneurship Degree?
According to glassdoor, the average entrepreneur in the US earns about $73,000 a year. The figure varies from year to year but is consistently around that mark.
In the following table, you will find the estimated median salary of self-employed individuals and typical education and training requirements.
| Occupation | Median Salary | Degree level |
| Management analysts | $ 93,000 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Lawyers | $127,990 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Accountants and auditors | $77,250 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Personal financial advisors | $94,170 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists | $78,200 | Doctoral |
| Dentists, general | $163,220 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Appraisers and assessors of real estate | $61,340 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Chiropractors | $75,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Veterinarians | $100,370 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Are Entrepreneurship Degrees Worth It?
As an entrepreneur, you need to be well-educated in order to run a successful business. You can’t just rely on “gut feeling” or “intuition.” An entrepreneurship degree will teach you how to analyze financial statements, budget effectively, manage human resources, and so much more.
A degree in entrepreneurship is also a great stepping stone into other careers like business development and consulting. For example, if you want to start your own business but don’t have the experience or capital, you could leverage your degree to find jobs at a company that operates in the same niche until you feel confident enough about your skills to go out on your own.
When you consider the intrinsic value of education, entrepreneurship degrees are an excellent investment for any person who wants to be successful in today’s world.
