Designed for future founders and innovators, an MBA in Entrepreneurship offers practical training in everything from business modeling and finance to leadership and growth planning. Learn how online programs combine flexibility with real-world relevance, so you can turn your ideas into a thriving venture without disrupting your current life.
Author: MM Staff
Expertise: Online LearningStudent SuccessGraduate EducationEditor: Kristin Marino
- Which Student Are You?
Finding Your Best-Fit Entrepreneurship MBA Program
Read more - Inside Real Programs
An inside look at actual online programs, exploring their structure, curriculum, costs, admission criteria, and more…
Read more - FAQs
Insightful and guiding answers to common questions prospective students like myself have about earning this degree…
Read more - Cost Breakdown
A clear overview of how much my degree might cost and the factors influencing total expenses…
Read more - Salary/Pay
A look at how much I can expect to earn after graduation...
Read more - Top Schools
Best Online Entrepreneurship MBA Programs
Read more
Finding Your Best-Fit Entrepreneurship MBA Program
Some entrepreneurship MBAs revolve around a startup incubator and pitch competitions, while others are more traditional coursework with an entrepreneurial lens bolted on. If you’re already building a company, the wrong pace or format can slow you down instead of helping. The entrepreneurship MBA personas below can help you find the pace built for a founder still running a company.
What Type of Entrepreneurship MBA Student Are You?
The Career Starter
You’re early in your career and want an MBA that builds core business fundamentals while giving you real exposure to startup building — through incubators, accelerators, or venture labs — rather than theory alone.
Look for a program with an affiliated startup accelerator or incubator, since direct access to mentorship, pitch competitions, and early-stage funding networks matters more at this stage than classroom theory alone. An accelerated, in-person format also puts you in the room with founders, investors, and classmates building companies in real time, which is where much of an entrepreneurship program’s value actually comes from.
The Career Changer
You’re leaving a stable corporate career to start or join a venture and need a program that builds the skills to go from employee to founder or early startup hire.
Programs built for this transition assume you haven’t run a business before and instead walk you through business-plan development, market validation, and fundraising basics step by step, alongside standard MBA fundamentals. A fully online format also lets you build and test your venture idea on the side while you’re still drawing an income from your current job, which reduces the financial risk of the transition.
The Promotion Seeker
You’re already running a business or leading innovation inside a larger company and want the strategic and financial training to scale it rather than just start it.
A growth-and-scaling curriculum focuses on the different problems that come with scaling — raising later-stage capital, building management systems, expanding into new markets — rather than the earlier-stage skills of ideation and launch. A hybrid format with concentration options also lets you pair entrepreneurship coursework with a second area, like finance or operations, depending on what’s actually limiting your business’s growth.
The Working Balancer
You’re building or running a venture while working another job or managing existing business operations, and need an MBA that fits around both.
A fully online, part-time, asynchronous format lets you apply coursework directly to your venture as you build it, without requiring you to step away from either your day job or your business to attend class. This is especially valuable in entrepreneurship, where the most useful learning often comes from applying frameworks to your own venture in real time, on your own schedule.
The Family Business Successor
You’re preparing to take over or grow a family or small business rather than launch a new venture from scratch, and need training specific to succession, not startup fundraising.
A family-business or succession-focused track covers governance, succession planning, and transitioning leadership within an existing business — problems that startup-focused entrepreneurship coursework doesn’t address at all. A hybrid format also lets you stay close to day-to-day operations of the business you’re inheriting or already helping run while you complete the degree.
The Venture Backed Founder
You’re building a venture-backable startup and need a program built around fundraising, investor relationships, and pitch readiness rather than general small-business skills.
Fundraising and venture capital coursework — cap tables, term sheets, investor pitching — is a distinct skill set from general small-business management, so make sure the concentration you choose actually covers it rather than assuming it’s implied. In-person programs also typically offer the strongest access to pitch competitions, investor demo days, and alumni VC networks, all of which matter more for a fundable startup than for a lifestyle business.
Profiling Three Top Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Programs
Babson College — Online Entrepreneurship MBA
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the part-time online MBA with an Entrepreneurship emphasis focuses on entrepreneurial leadership and innovation from day one. Students learn to solve complex business problems, develop new ventures, and drive growth within organizations.
The 45-credit curriculum can be customized with electives in venture creation, finance, or social entrepreneurship. Live, synchronous online classes facilitate real-time discussion and networking, and Babson’s global alumni network of 46,000+ offers valuable mentorship for aspiring founders. Experiential learning projects with real companies ensure graduates gain hands-on experience turning ideas into viable businesses.
Duration: Three to four years PT
Mode: Online
Cost: $2,050/credit, $92,250 total
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Letter of recommendation
- Resume
- Transcripts
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Indiana University: Kelley School of Business — Online MBA in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation
Indiana University’s Kelley School offers a highly ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA with a major in Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation. This program provides a 54-credit curriculum blending foundational MBA courses with 12 credits of specialized entrepreneurship and innovation electives.
Students benefit from the same esteemed faculty who teach on campus and a collaborative cohort of experienced professionals. A hallmark of Kelley’s MBA is its real-world application: through two required in-person residencies students engage in hands-on consulting projects and networking with peers and faculty. The program is known for its flexibility and value, delivering an elite MBA education at a lower cost than many other programs.
Duration: Two to four years
Mode: Online courses, in-person residencies
Cost: $1,758/credit, $94,944 total
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Admissions interview
- GMAT or GRE test scores
- Personal Statement
- One recommendation
- Transcripts
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — MBA Entrepreneurship Concentration
UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School offers MBA@UNC, an online MBA with the same prestige and rigor as its on-campus program. The 62-credit curriculum can be completed in as few as 18 months or up to 36 months, allowing flexibility for students to learn at their own pace. Core business courses are paired with an Entrepreneurship concentration covering new venture discovery, innovation management, and entrepreneurial finance.
Weekly live online classes and interactive coursework are supplemented by optional in-person “Summits,” which are multi-day immersion experiences held in cities worldwide. Here, students network and apply learning in real business projects. Graduates are equipped to start their own companies or innovate within established organizations.
Duration: 18–36 months
Mode: Online, optional immersions
Cost: $2,025/credit, $125,589 total
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Essays
- Two letters of recommendation
- GMAT/GRE scores or 5 years of professional experience
Student Support: MBA in Entrepreneurship FAQs
How does an Entrepreneurship MBA support launching a business while studying?
Most programs actively encourage students to develop their ventures during the program, offering resources like startup incubators, seed funding competitions, and mentorship networks. Coursework typically aligns with your startup journey, as you can develop your business plan in strategy class, create marketing campaigns in digital marketing, and refine financial projections in finance courses.
Many programs include entrepreneur-in-residence programs, pitch competitions, and access to venture capital networks. The curriculum becomes your business development roadmap.
What will I learn in an Entrepreneurship MBA program?
An MBA in Entrepreneurship teaches you how to develop and launch new business ventures as well as innovate within existing companies. You’ll build a foundation in broad MBA subjects (accounting, marketing, operations, strategy) and then take specialized courses on writing business plans, entrepreneurial finance, venture capital, innovation strategy, and scaling startups.
Many programs include hands-on projects or even incubator/accelerator experiences where you work on a startup idea. The goal is to graduate with not only business knowledge, but also an entrepreneurial mindset—skills in opportunity recognition, creative problem-solving, leadership, and resilience in the face of risk.
How does this differ from a traditional MBA with some entrepreneurship classes?
An Entrepreneurship MBA immerses you in the startup ecosystem throughout the entire program. While traditional MBAs might offer a few entrepreneurship electives, this specialization integrates entrepreneurial thinking into every course.
You’ll learn finance from a founder’s perspective, marketing for startups, and operations for scaling businesses. The program typically includes extensive networking opportunities with successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and angel investors. The entire experience focuses on building and scaling ventures rather than managing existing organizations.
Can this degree help me if I want to be an “intrapreneur” in a large company?
Absolutely. Many graduates apply their entrepreneurial skills within established organizations, leading innovation initiatives or new venture divisions. The program develops crucial skills for intrapreneurs: identifying opportunities, managing risk, driving innovation, and leading change.
You’ll learn to navigate corporate resources while maintaining entrepreneurial agility. Many programs include specific coursework on corporate entrepreneurship and innovation management, preparing you to drive growth and innovation in larger organizations.
What specific resources and support systems come with these programs?
Most Entrepreneurship MBAs offer extensive support ecosystems, including startup incubators, maker spaces, and innovation labs. You typically get access to legal clinics for startup advice, pitch coaching, and prototype development resources.
Many programs maintain networks of alumni entrepreneurs who serve as mentors and potential investors. You’ll often find dedicated entrepreneurship centers offering workshops, speaker series, and networking events. Some programs even provide seed funding or connections to angel investors for promising student ventures.
Cost Summary: Online MBA in Entrepreneurship
Online MBA programs in Entrepreneurship show significant price variation, ranging from under $20,000 at public universities to over $120,000 at prestigious private institutions. Most programs charge per-credit tuition, with costs influenced by school reputation, program length, and institution type.
Online formats often offer cost advantages through standardized tuition rates regardless of residency and eliminate housing expenses. While students need to budget for technology and occasional residency costs, the ability to continue working while studying makes the investment more manageable.
Master’s Match understands that financial planning is crucial for your academic success. We’ve developed essential resources, including our financial aid guide, to help you navigate funding options. Maximize your opportunities by exploring our guide to top grad school grants and reviewing 68 scholarships for master’s students. Complete your financial strategy with our College Budgeting 101 guide.
| School | No. of Credits | Cost per Credit | Total Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babson College – Online MBA (Entrepreneurship) | 45 | $2,050 | $92,250 |
| Indiana University – Kelley Direct – MBA (Entrepreneurship & Innovation) | 54 | $1,758 | $94,944 |
| UNC Chapel Hill – MBA (Entrepreneurship) | 62 | $2,025 | $125,589 |
Entrepreneurship Career Salary Potential with an MBA
An MBA in entrepreneurship provides the business fundamentals, network, and startup-specific knowledge to launch and scale ventures — or to lead innovation within established companies. Graduates found startups, lead corporate innovation teams, join early-stage companies as executive hires, and manage small business operations. The credential is particularly valuable for those combining entrepreneurial ambition with a desire for structured business training.
For those who build successful companies, the financial upside can be substantial. Even in corporate entrepreneurial roles, graduates typically reach executive compensation levels as they scale their impact.
Check the salary table below to see what chief executives earn across states, and use it as a benchmark for the financial ceiling entrepreneurship-focused MBA careers can reach.
Chief Executives
| Area | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $213,990 | $356,200 | $507,730 |
| Alabama | $166,420 | $222,490 | $317,400 |
| Alaska | $166,710 | $262,750 | $428,990 |
| Arkansas | $119,990 | $196,800 | $330,480 |
| California | $218,600 | $351,090 | $486,830 |
| Colorado | $213,370 | $302,380 | $402,230 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 | $456,890 | $680,080 |
| Delaware | $199,990 | $360,810 | $523,940 |
| Georgia | $208,180 | $378,450 | $517,910 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 | $394,780 | $493,870 |
| Idaho | $177,210 | $296,580 | $403,230 |
| Illinois | $331,920 | $428,710 | $589,720 |
| Indiana | $254,180 | $377,760 | $494,080 |
| Iowa | $211,190 | $331,660 | $365,320 |
| Kansas | $158,100 | $283,880 | $453,350 |
| Kentucky | $179,530 | $298,750 | $466,660 |
| Maine | $138,770 | $233,540 | $401,950 |
| Maryland | $248,660 | $396,650 | $486,860 |
| Michigan | $255,560 | $405,120 | $547,090 |
| Minnesota | $195,670 | $313,510 | $449,270 |
| Mississippi | $139,250 | $185,680 | $304,040 |
| Missouri | $172,320 | $275,660 | $416,060 |
| Montana | $182,340 | $312,050 | $432,240 |
| Nebraska | $214,680 | $335,760 | $515,360 |
| Nevada | $149,770 | $279,600 | $517,310 |
| New Hampshire | $168,590 | $232,570 | $397,850 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 | $448,910 | $666,030 |
| New Mexico | $123,500 | $195,970 | $302,440 |
| New York | $257,980 | $419,730 | $657,630 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 | $442,080 | $624,990 |
| North Dakota | $164,560 | $240,090 | $464,030 |
| Ohio | $176,440 | $350,670 | $484,820 |
| Oklahoma | $163,790 | $240,480 | $387,310 |
| Oregon | $341,630 | $520,980 | $772,840 |
| Pennsylvania | $232,560 | $397,100 | $528,200 |
| Rhode Island | $235,360 | $414,180 | $561,080 |
| South Carolina | $168,840 | $258,950 | $393,490 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 | $428,840 | $546,760 |
| Tennessee | $198,830 | $307,390 | $474,740 |
| Texas | $257,850 | $399,880 | $558,550 |
| Utah | $171,880 | $299,040 | $424,690 |
| Vermont | $175,070 | $303,920 | $428,080 |
| Virginia | $310,740 | $434,580 | $604,090 |
| Washington | $339,810 | $442,180 | $607,100 |
| West Virginia | $151,950 | $253,870 | $403,020 |
| Wisconsin | $208,350 | $318,910 | $426,290 |
| Wyoming | $147,940 | $205,620 | $276,940 |
Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes111011.htm
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Best Online Entrepreneurship MBA Programs
Walsh College
Best for: working students
Bellevue University
Best for: working students
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Best for: working students
DePaul University
Best for: advancement-focused students
University of West Alabama
Best for: advancement-focused students
East Texas Baptist University
Best for: working students
Regent University
Best for: advancement-focused students
Sul Ross State University
Best for: advancement-focused students
New Mexico Highlands University
Best for: advancement-focused students
University of West Florida
Best for: advancement-focused students
