By Kayla Matthews
So, you want to be an entrepreneur? You have a drive that others find different at best and see opportunity at every corner; you have a plan for success and are ready to set off on a life of your own adventure. That’s great. However, first, you need a plan. That plan probably starts with finding the right college – one with a solid business plan that helps you move in the direction you’ve been dreaming about while equipping you for success.
Check out the 10 schools below, the best colleges for wannabe entrepreneurs and start working now for the future you envision.
1. Babson College
Ranked number 1 by US News World Report, is a private school known for business, offering graduate degrees in entrepreneurship. Babson College’s focus on entrepreneurialism and the global marketplace means that students are equipped with knowledge relating to ethics, integration and innovative thinking. Evening programs are available for students looking to maintain full-time employment, or focus on their own company during the day.
2. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago doesn’t just provide an excellent, well-rounded business education through the Booth School of Business, it focuses exclusively on aspiring entrepreneurs through the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Bryan Johnson, founder of Braintree and Matt Maloney, co-founder of GrubHub are notable alumni, proving the success of the program. The University of Chicago is known for producing well-rounded entrepreneurs that go on to do big things; what else is there to say?
3. The University of South Carolina, Marshall
Also rounding out the US News World Report’s top entrepreneur programs, The University of South Carolina, Marshall school of business should be a top consideration for anyone with a career as an entrepreneur in mind. With just over 200 students, the school of business offers a concentration in entrepreneurship which allows students to participate in case discussions and competitions, presentations and multiple team projects – fostering collaboration and real-world application. With a focus on practicality, the program is more hands-on than others, leading to great potential following graduation.
4. The University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business is an aspiring entrepreneur’s dream. Featuring the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship, courses are industry specific, like “Opportunity Recognition: Technology and Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley.” Opening in 1991, the program has produced well-known entrepreneurs like Gordon Moore – co-founder of Intel – and Steve Wozniak – co-founder of Apple.
5. Brigham Young University
When looking at business schools, Brigham Young University might not be at the top of your list. However, as a prospective entrepreneur, it probably should be. The Marriott School of Management’s Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology offers undergraduate and graduate courses that focus on today’s business standards – intellectual property and mobile application development being among the highly sought-after topics. The school sets the standard for business, especially relating to entrepreneurship.
6. University of Michigan
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business and College of Engineering Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan work in tandem to provide entrepreneurial education opportunities that don’t necessarily fit within the traditional realm of business.
With courses like “Psychology of Entrepreneurship” and “Urban Entrepreneurship,” graduate and undergraduate offerings focus on cross-sector education. This makes the school an excellent choice for someone interested in entrepreneurship beyond the standard business school offerings.
Having produced alumni including David Barger – co-founder of Jet Blue Airways, Brad Keywell – founder of Groupon, and Jerry Murrell – founder of Five Guys, the school has a tradition of excellence proven by the success of its graduates.
7. Harvard University
It’s impossible to overlook Harvard University on any “top schools” list; top schools for wannabe entrepreneurs is no different. Recognized as the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, Harvard’s track-record is impeccable.
The Business School at Harvard University offers various departments relevant to entrepreneurs including: consulting, entrepreneurship, international business, leadership, e-commerce, sports business and more, providing plenty of opportunities for practical application following graduation. With 78.7% of graduates employed at graduation, it’s clear that this program should be taken into serious consideration.
8. Stanford University
The Stanford Graduate School of Business was designed with entrepreneurs in mind. Undergraduate and graduate courses available include “The Spirit of Entrepreneurship” and “Entrepreneur Leader-Identity Development: A Critical-Incident Approach.”
Not for the faint of heart, the program is grueling, but the end result is worth the effort if your dream is to strike out on your own. Notable alumni include William Hewlett and David Packard – founders of Hewlett Packard, Kevin Systrom – co-founder of Instagram and Jawed Karim – co-founder of YouTube. Known as celebrities in the digital world, these individuals all started at the same place: Stanford University.
9. Vista College
Becoming an entrepreneur requires focus and work, often starting early. To some, that means working through school to build on a dream. Vista College Online was created with this idea in mind. Students are able to earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Management while engaging in entrepreneurship, marketing and industry management during school.
Vista College’s program is built upon the idea that the business industry is rapidly changing and that attention to global competition is critical. Students looking for a vast view of business, coupled with the convenience of working around their own schedules would benefit from checking out the program.
10. University of Texas, Austin
Rounding out this top ten list is the University of Texas, Austin. The McCombs School of Business offers concentrations ranging from consulting and entrepreneurship to general management and non-for-profit management and boasts an 80.7% employment rate for students at graduation.
Program-specific offerings like Venture Fellows and the Texas MBA+ Leadership Program train students in entrepreneur-specific applications like venture capital, private equity and micro-consulting that boast major benefits following completion. Also, evening course options make it an excellent course for wannabe entrepreneurs looking to get started while earning a degree.
Regardless of the school that you choose, take the time to study Go to the full article.
Article Curated From…: Business2Community