If you’re ready to turn an idea into a business — or take an existing one further — an MBA in Entrepreneurship can help you do it with strategy and structure. Designed for future founders and innovators, this degree offers practical training in everything from business modeling and finance to leadership and growth planning. In this guide, OMD will show you how online programs combine flexibility with real-world relevance, all so you can turn your ideas into a thriving venture without disrupting your current life.
- 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 - Career Options
What doors open after graduating with my master’s degree…
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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: $1,990/credit, $89,550 total
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Letter of recommendation
- Resume
- Transcripts
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, where 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 eliminated 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.
OMD 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 | $1,990 | $89,550 |
| Indiana University – Kelley Direct – MBA (Entrepreneurship & Innovation) | 54 | $1,758 | $94,944 |
| UNC Chapel Hill – MBA (Entrepreneurship) | 62 | $2,025 | $125,589 |
Career Moves: Leveraging an MBA in Entrepreneurship
An MBA in Entrepreneurship equips graduates with a versatile skill set, ideal for launching businesses or driving innovation in established companies. Career paths include startup founder, consultant, or business development leader, with opportunities to work in venture capital or corporate leadership. This degree combines strategic, financial, and operational expertise, making graduates attractive to employers and investors.
Startup Founder / Small Business Executive (Top Executive)
Startup founders and small business executives lead organizations, making strategic decisions to drive growth. Responsibilities include business planning, securing funding, and managing teams. Many entrepreneurship MBA grads launch startups, where earnings vary widely based on success, but top executives earn a median salary of $103,840. This career offers high reward potential, especially for those with the leadership and strategic skills gained through an MBA.
Management Consultant (Management Analyst)
Management Consultants help businesses improve efficiency and strategy, often advising on innovation or streamlining operations. MBA Entrepreneurship grads bring expertise in strategy, finance, and operations to tackle diverse business challenges. Management analysts earn a median salary of $99,410, with 11% job growth projected from 2023 to 2033. This field is ideal for those who enjoy problem-solving and advising startups or corporations on achieving growth and operational excellence.
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers drive growth by developing strategies, identifying new markets, and managing teams. In startups, this role often involves customer acquisition; in larger companies, it may focus on launching new products or corporate innovation. Business Development Managers earn an average base salary of $87,019. Entrepreneurship MBAs excel in these roles by combining creative thinking with analytical planning, making them well-suited to lead growth initiatives in dynamic environments.