Key takeaways
- Entrepreneurship has become a sought-after path, with over 400,000 people having filed business applications in July 2024 alone.
- Nearly 16% of the US workforce are entrepreneurs, per a Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report.
- Entrepreneurship is driven by innovation and creativity, involving identifying opportunities, developing strategies, and managing risks.
- An increasing number of aspiring entrepreneurs are pursuing formal education in the field. Nearly 400,000 students enrolled in entrepreneurship programs last year.
- Pursuing an entrepreneurship degree online offers students flexibility, convenience, affordability, along with practical skills needed to succeed in the entrepreneurial field.
- Platforms such as Stanford’s ‘Venture Lab’ and Arizona State University’s ‘10,000 Solutions’ offer online networking opportunities for entrepreneurship students.
- Central Michigan University and Northwood University offer amazing online bachelor’s degrees in entrepreneurship.
- Business schools for an entrepreneurship degree online include Southern New Hampshire University and Lamar University.
- Before you select an online entrepreneurship bachelor’s degree, consider the accreditation, recognition, cost, and program requirements.
In today’s dynamic business landscape, entrepreneurship has become a sought-after path. The potential for innovation, flexibility, and financial reward has made it a popular choice. While traditional on-campus education has been the go-to for many years, getting an entrepreneurship degree online is fast becoming a popular choice.
By pursuing an entrepreneurship degree online students enjoy convenience, affordability, access to a global network, and more. These programs are designed to prepare entrepreneurial minds for real-world challenges and equip them with the skills needed to lead their entrepreneurial ventures to success.
In this article, we offer degree advice, discuss whether pursuing an entrepreneurship degree online is worth it, and more. From what is entrepreneurship to what is included in an entrepreneurship program, on-campus vs online entrepreneurship degree, and list the best online bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship.
What does an entrepreneurship degree online offer?
The terms entrepreneur and business owner are often used interchangeably. Though business ownership is often a part of entrepreneurship, they are not one and the same. Business ownership is just one part of entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship is a term governed by innovation and creativity. The entrepreneurial mind always thinks outside the box to find viable business ideas and chart the path needed to turn them into profitable ventures.
Typical entrepreneurial capabilities include identifying opportunities, strategic planning, market research, financial management, consumer identification, problem-solving, communication, leadership, sales, and so on. These skills are essential for the success of a business.
An entrepreneurship degree focuses on honing these skills in individuals. Through a rigorous four-year program, students learn to identify their strong suits and weak spots. They can then choose elective courses or seek guidance from experts to develop a holistic skill set.
Is pursuing an entrepreneurship degree online worth it?
As per a report by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, 16% of the total US workforce, 31 million to be exact, are entrepreneurs. In July 2024 alone, the government received over 420,000 business applications.
The competition is fierce and there are many challenges an entrepreneur must overcome in today’s economy. Having an in-depth understanding of the market, consumer consumption trends, marketing strategies, cash flow management, venture capital, and more combined with a viable business idea can increase the probability of success.
An online entrepreneurship bachelor’s degree provides all that, and more. The four-year program combines basic business courses with entrepreneurship-specific courses and electives. Students can decide which concentration courses they want to pursue.
Moreover, they can then pursue further specialization through a master’s degree or even a doctorate. Examples of entrepreneurship specializations include sustainable entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, tech entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship through acquisition, and many more.
An online bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship offers a strong foundation for aspiring entrepreneurs. Through the degree, students gain a strong understanding of business fundamentals, operations, finance, and more. Additionally, the varied skill set they develop enables them to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape successfully.
Benefits of an entrepreneurship degree online
Whether you pursue an entrepreneurship degree online or the traditional way, the program curriculum is the same. During the first year, students take up a variety of core business courses such as accounting, finance, business law, and more.
In the following years, students will also take courses specific to the entrepreneurial field such as business planning, entrepreneurial finance, new venture creation, and more. Additionally, they will choose electives of their liking. The choices available can include entrepreneurial ethics, supply chain management, conflict resolution, and more.
Moreover, graduation requirements for the entrepreneurship degree online can include internships or completion of a capstone project. Students must also keep in mind the required credit hour completion when selecting courses.
Pursuing an entrepreneurship degree online presents many benefits to students.
Flexibility
Candidates enrolled in an online entrepreneurship degree are not bound by strict timelines and schedules. They can take classes whenever they want or find it feasible and from wherever they want. The flexibility and convenience offered by an online degree leave students free to take up part-time or full-time jobs.
Affordability
An entrepreneurship degree online is generally more affordable than an on-campus degree. Additionally, students don’t have to account for additional costs such as transport and accommodation.
Access to diverse networks
Online platforms such as Stanford’s Venture Lab and Arizona State University’s 10,000 Solutions provide engagement opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Students from any college, enrolled in any program can participate in entrepreneurial and problem-solving discourse on such platforms.
Practical skills
A key focus of an online bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship is vocational training. Entrepreneurship programs are designed to impart comprehensive knowledge of the various aspects of a business enterprise. Students are also provided opportunities to hone said skills through projects, apprenticeships, and social engagement.
Career advancement opportunities
With an undergraduate degree in hand, graduates can apply for various corporate roles. Some potential career opportunities for entrepreneurship graduates include financial analyst, business consultant, operations manager, team lead, and more.
Colleges offering an entrepreneurship degree online
More than 400,000 students enroll in entrepreneurship courses each year. A significant number of them pursue education online. An increasing number of colleges are offering students the chance to pursue an entrepreneurship degree online to make the program accessible for everyone.
Several public and private colleges also offer students the chance to pursue a business entrepreneurship degree online. They combine the best of both degrees with practical skills from an entrepreneurship program with the theoretical and conceptual framework of business degrees.
Candidates hoping to gain employment in high-paying corporate roles in business administration, and finance may benefit from a business degree with an entrepreneurship minor. Here are a few colleges offering an entrepreneurship degree online. From here candidates can choose the best online bachelor’s degree entrepreneurship.
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University offers an entrepreneurship degree online and on campus. The program focuses on building entrepreneurial acumen. It places great emphasis on learning to identify business opportunities, predict potential problems, and find innovative solutions.
Graduates will possess the skills needed to launch their own startups, find new markets for existing businesses, lead them to success, or lead non-profit organizations. It is ideal for those with a keen interest in business administration and strategic planning.
| Location | Acceptance rate | Graduation rate | Tuition |
| Mount Pleasant, Michigan | 78.9% | 63.4% | $13,560/yr |
Northwood University
Northwood University offers a flexible entrepreneurship degree online. Featured courses in the program include successful business models, entrepreneurial marketing, new venture finance, entrepreneurial leadership, risk analysis, and business model creation.
The program is ideal for those with an entrepreneurial inclination. The program is tailored to help students succeed in entrepreneurial ventures. Whether it is starting a new business, taking over a family business, or investing in a non-profit organization, the online entrepreneurship major from Northwood can help you succeed.
| Location | Acceptance rate | Graduation rate | Tuition |
| Midland, Michigan | 79.7% | 56.9% | $34,400/yr |
Southern New Hampshire University
The online BS in Business Administration in Entrepreneurship from Southern New Hampshire University teaches how to start and run successful businesses. The program imparts knowledge of essential business components including finance, human resource recruitment and management, marketing, and more.
Students enjoy flexibility in learning and schedule, excellent networking opportunities and support from the college, a chance to engage with the faculty, and many other benefits. It is ideal for students interested in learning the day-to-day operational management of businesses.
| Location | Acceptance rate | Graduation rate | Tuition |
| Hooksett, New Hampshire | 96.4% | 34.2% | $15,380/yr |
Lamar University
Lamar University’s Bachelor in Business Administration program is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs. It is designed for individuals willing and eager to take the reins on their education and career.
The program focuses on building an in-depth understanding of the workings of different business models. Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn the ins and outs of business operations and gain the technical skills needed to run an enterprise.
Data analytics are another core focus of the program. Graduates will be able to analyze data and leverage it to make important business decisions. With an online entrepreneurship degree from Lamar, graduates can pursue several career paths in different industries.
| Location | Acceptance rate | Graduation rate | Tuition |
| Beaumont, Texas | 83.7% | 34.2% | $10,586/yr |
How to choose the right entrepreneurship degree online?
Sorting through the many available online degrees can be a challenge. When choosing an entrepreneurship degree online, make sure you take accreditation, recognition, cost, and program requirements into account.
Accreditation
If you are thinking of pursuing a degree from an online college, you need to look into accreditation and recognition. If the program you pursue is not accredited by relevant authorities, it will add no value to your CV.
For example, Cambridge College in Boston, Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Thus, all its degrees and certifications are legal and authorized by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.
Cost
The tuition cost for an entrepreneurship degree online varies by program type and college. Even though online degrees generally cost less than on-campus programs, some are quite pricey. Make sure you browse through the available options to find the one that offers the best value.
Program Requirements
Different online entrepreneurship bachelor’s degrees have different requirements. Most commonly, students must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum GPA
- Standardized test scores such as SAT or ACT
- Letters of recommendation
- Essay of interest
However, those with lower GPAs and test scores may still be able to pursue online entrepreneurship degrees by taking up some foundational courses for additional credit. The exact requirements for each program vary so do ample research to ensure you fulfill all the requirements before applying.
Enjoy flexibility with an entrepreneurship degree online!
Post covid, the educational landscape has changed drastically. College planning looks a lot different now than it did 5 years ago. Now a significant portion of students prefer online mode of delivery for the many benefits it brings. Online degrees are not only cheaper, but they allow students more flexibility and save time spent traveling to and from campus, as well as traveling costs among others.
Pursuing an entrepreneurship degree online prepares you for successful careers in the business landscape. Whether you choose to gain employment in the corporate sector or pursue your entrepreneurial dreams, you will have the skills needed to succeed.