The Top 50 Schools for Entrepreneurship Programs

NEW YORK (SEPTEMBER 20, 2011) – The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine announced today the results of their ninth annual survey that ranks the top 25 undergraduate and top 25 graduate entrepreneurship programs in the nation. From the more than 2,000 programs reviewed, the number one school in the undergraduate category is the University of Houston, for the 2^nd consecutive year, while Babson College retained its number one ranking in the graduate category for the 3^rd year.

Ranking second and third in the undergraduate category is Babson College and Baylor University, respectively. For the graduate program category, ranking second is Brigham Young University followed by the University Virginia in the number-three spot.

This year’s list includes newcomers University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Utah, University of Maryland –College Park, Bradley University, Texas Christian University and Oklahoma State University in the undergraduate category, while the graduate category welcomed University of Missouri – Kansas City, University of Maryland – College Park, Oklahoma State University, Loyola Marymount University and University of Oregon.

In addition to teaching strong entrepreneurship fundamentals in the classroom and staffing departments with instructors who are successful entrepreneurs, criteria for the school rankings included excellence in mentorship, and providing experiential or entrepreneurial opportunities outside of the classroom.

“Behind the top ranked schools is not only a great formal classroom experience, but a cross-disciplinary approach to teaching entrepreneurship that embraces and encourages a student’s vision to build a successful business,” said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s Senior Vice President – Publisher and nationally recognized expert on college admissions.

Franek noted many of the most successful programs have also emphasized curriculum that’s not exclusively related to business. “Schools like Babson, that require students to have at least 50 percent of their course work focused on the liberal arts, are breaking the mold when it comes to preparing future entrepreneurs,” he said.

“The right education enhances and reinforces curiosity and creative thinking in entrepreneurs,” says Amy Cosper, vice president and editor in chief at Entrepreneur. “This ranking provides a unique look at top schools that offer the type of training, encouragement and direction that nurtures entrepreneurial skills. It’s an excellent resource for those interested in academics as a pathway to their goals, and it can help tremendously in the discovery process to finding the right program.”

For more information and a complete listing of the schools, go to www.entrepreneur.com/topcolleges or visit www.princetonreview.com/entrepreneur.  Full details will also appear in the October issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands beginning today.