Key takeaways
- Entrepreneurial growth increased by 18% for women and 20% for men between 2022-2023 in the US, according to Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s report.
- Being home to Wall Street and 53 Fortune 500 Companies, finding a New York college for an undergraduate entrepreneurship degree is the best option for aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to learn from industry experts.
- 109,000 new jobs became available in the first 6 months of 2024 in New York City alone. Graduates can benefit from the thriving job market in the state.
- New York features a diverse range of thriving industries including finance, investment, fashion, retail, food, and more.
- When choosing a New York college, cost is a significant consideration. The State University of New York, Plattsburgh, and the State University of New York, Binghamton are two affordable options.
- St. John’s University and Pace University offer excellent opportunities for experiential learning and peer engagement.
- However, students looking for an affordable New York College can look for online entrepreneurship degrees.
Entrepreneurship in the United States has grown steadily over the years. According to Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s 2022-2023 report, it reached an all-time high in the US. During that time, entrepreneurial growth increased by 20% for men and 18% for women.
In this article, we list the top colleges in New York for aspiring entrepreneurship students and discuss what makes New York an ideal place to pursue an entrepreneurship degree.
Pursue entrepreneurship in a New York College.
Here are some of the best colleges in New York State to pursue an entrepreneurship degree from.
State University of New York, Plattsburgh
The Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship from SUNY, Plattsburgh focuses on developing entrepreneurial acumen in students. The extensive four-year program is divided into basic courses, courses focusing on international perspective, entrepreneurial electives applied entrepreneurial electives, and some additional requirements.
Basic courses include entrepreneurial resourcefulness, business ethics and professionalism in a global society, foundations of entrepreneurial actions, and so on. International perspectives courses include international business management, franchising in the US and Canada, and so on.
Entrepreneurship through movies, entrepreneurship growth and exit strategies, and selected topics in entrepreneurship are some examples of available entrepreneurial electives.
In addition, students will also have to complete either an internship or an independent study in the entrepreneurial field. Candidates with a vested interest in marketing can explore additional degrees in marketing and entrepreneurship.
| Location | GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Plattsburgh, New York | 3.09 | 70.2% | $8,881/yr |
State University of New York, Binghamton
The State University of New York, Binghamton is the best public university in the state. With campuses spread across Binghamton, Vestel, and Johnson City, it offers plenty of opportunities to its students.
Binghamton University offers the best business entrepreneurship degree. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is the ideal program for aspiring entrepreneurs. The program prepares candidates for success by equipping them with theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
After getting a degree in business administration with a major in entrepreneurship, candidates can successfully launch their own startups or pursue employment in many fields. Potential job opportunities include financial analysis, operational management, human resources, and more.
During the program, students can also benefit from available networking opportunities. Faculty, alumni working as venture capitalists, local business owners, and successful entrepreneurs regularly connect with students to offer insight and guidance.
| Location | GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Binghamton, New York | 3.7 | 42% | $10,363/yr |
St. Lawrence University
The New York Lawrence College is in Canton, St. Lawrence County. The university offers a business and entrepreneurship major that aims to create visionary leaders.
Throughout the program, students will pursue education in various business subjects including finance, business administration, accounting, and so on.
In addition, they can choose a second major to broaden their horizon and pursue a secondary field of study in music, arts, government, and so on.
The freedom of choice attracts many students to New York Lawrence College. They can choose a range of subjects to pursue entrepreneurship or become the change and policymakers in specialized fields by pursuing courses such as government and policy making.
Education at St. Lawrence University is guaranteed excellence. But it comes with a hefty price tag. Candidates must explore all aid and assistance opportunities to determine program affordability before applying.
| Location | GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Canton, New York | 3.7 | 63.5% | $62,020/yr |
St. John’s University
St. John’s University offers a minor in entrepreneurship that can be taken in combination with a business degree. Graduates can take advantage of a rigorous curriculum that will teach them the ins and outs of business management.
The program features an ideal combination of theoretical and practical learning. Students can also take advantage of a number of activities in innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, they can earn entrepreneurial badges in a variety of fields including fashion entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and more.
Additionally, they can take advantage of experiential learning opportunities on campus such as the ‘Design Lab’ and centers and laboratories in Collins College of Professional Studies.
Students can design and create prototypes. Moreover, they can get feedback from industry professionals through St. John’s Young Entrepreneur Series. St. John’s University is one of the ideal colleges in New York, New York for a business entrepreneurship degree.
| Location | GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| New York, New York | 3.5 | 85% | $47,830/yr |
Pace University
Pace University is another one of the ideal colleges in New York, New York for entrepreneurship studies. The university has campuses in New York City, Pleasantville, and White Plains. Students can choose the campus of their choice provided it offers the degree they want to pursue.
The tuition cost is steeper at Pace University than some other options, but the availability of financial assistance makes education affordable. Look into merit scholarships, state scholarships, financial grants, and payment assistance plans.
The Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship teaches students how to turn business ideas into profitable ventures. Students gain guidance and practical experience in a variety of subjects from writing a business plan, to creating a financial strategy, attracting venture capital, and so on.
Additionally, they can take advantage of resources such as the Pace Entrepreneur Studio, Small Business Development Center, and Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship. The Center for Student Enterprise enables like-minded entrepreneurship students to engage with their peers and discuss ideas.
| Location | GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| New York, New York | 3.0 | 83% | $51,382/yr |
Clarkson University
Clarkson University offers a Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The program is ideal for candidates who want to be at the forefront of the business landscape. Whether it is aspiring entrepreneurs or those hoping to take up upper managerial roles in the corporate sector, Clarkson University is a New York college.
The program curriculum is designed to encourage practical implementation of business principles and concepts taught in the program. The process is analyzed and documented in research centers to further improve the curriculum.
The skills candidates learn through experiential learning, research, and academic exploration prepare them for successful careers. Whether they seek employment in established companies or launch business startups, they will be prepared to take on real-life challenges.
The flexibility and hands-on approach of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at Clarkson, make it one of the best colleges in New York State for entrepreneurship.
| Location | GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Potsdam, New York | 3.79 | 78.4% | $56,258 |
What you need to know about studying in a New York college
New York is the most populous state in the US and the fifth most culturally diverse state in the country. It is the financial and corporate hub with over 50 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state. Moreover, it is dubbed the financial capital of the world because of Wall Street.
All these and more make it an ideal place for students pursuing an entrepreneurship degree. A formal education in the entrepreneurial field prepares graduates for a variety of roles within a business organization.
A degree in entrepreneurship opens many career pathways for graduates. New York as a study destination provides opportunities they can benefit from. Over 109,000 new jobs emerged in the first half of 2024 in New York City alone.
With a degree from a New York college, entrepreneurship graduates can explore many job opportunities in the corporate sector. They can either pursue their own business startup, or seek employment in fields such as finance, marketing, management, and more.
Additionally, students can also enjoy a variety of other activities in the region. They can explore historic landmarks, and partake in outdoor excursions such as hiking, and river rafting. Arts enthusiasts can enjoy exhibits at world-renowned museums. Local theaters also provide great entertainment.
Furthermore, New York offers a vibrant nightlife, a great culinary landscape, outdoor adventures, and much more. All this and the employment opportunities combined with the guarantee of academic excellence make New York an ideal place for entrepreneurship students.
How to choose a New York college for entrepreneurship?
Choosing a New York college for entrepreneurship can be difficult. New York is one of the most sought-after study destinations in the world. The state, not just the city, is a cultural hub offering diverse educational opportunities to aspiring students. Out of the eight US Ivy League schools, two of them are New York colleges.
The state has many excellent educational institutes offering different degrees for entrepreneurship. Applicants must consider various factors such as coursework, tuition cost, admission requirements, and so on before making a choice.
Coursework
Program coursework tells students what they can expect to learn from the program. The skills you gain from your degree will shape your career prospects. Moreover, aspiring entrepreneurs can determine what skills they will learn from the program and whether it is the right fit for them or not.
For example, a student seeking to improve leadership capabilities might benefit from an entrepreneurship degree with a specialized focus on organizational leadership. But, a student hoping to build financial management capabilities might benefit from a specialized focus on entrepreneurial finance and related topics.
Typically, entrepreneurship degrees feature basic business courses, entrepreneurship-specific courses, and some elective choices. The electives offer students some flexibility, allowing them to gain the knowledge they need.
Our degree advice would be to check the options available thoroughly before selecting a New York college.
Total cost of attendance
Cost is an important consideration when selecting a program. Some of the top colleges in New York such as Columbia and Cornell are also some of the costliest. The average tuition for Columbia University is $66,139 and $63,200 for Cornell University.
However, attending a New York college is not an unachievable dream. The state ranks #36 in the list of most to least expensive states for attending college, making it one of the more affordable states to study in. The average in-state tuition for New York is $8,416. Additionally, students looking for affordable options can explore New York colleges offering online entrepreneurship degrees.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements for an entrepreneurship degree vary by program and college. Typically, undergraduate applicants must meet the following:
- High school diploma
- Minimum GPA requirements
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
- An essay of interest
- Recommendation letters
- Language testing scores (for international students)
The minimum GPA requirement is different for each college and program. So are the standardized test score requirements. Candidates must check the exact admission requirements for each program before applying.
Acceptance rate
The acceptance rate of each college indicates the number of applicants accepted out of the total applications received. The higher the acceptance rate, the higher the chance of getting admission to the college.
College applications typically cost between $25 to $100. However, some may be priced higher. Sending out an application is an investment. Make sure you choose the colleges wisely keeping in mind your application strength and chances of getting accepted.
Mode of delivery
Whether you choose to get an on-campus or an online entrepreneurship degree is completely up to you. More colleges are now offering distance learning opportunities for entrepreneurship, as a one-size-fits-all approach in the education sector was failing.
Each student has their comfort zone. Candidates that prefer the traditional learning method, like to participate in social activities on campus and engage in in-person student-teacher interaction. However, students seeking flexibility, convenience, and affordability might prefer online learning.
Either way, finding an ideal New York college for entrepreneurship with your desired mode of delivery will require significant research.
Enroll in a New York college today!
The state of New York is vast and the academic opportunities it presents even more so. Being the finance capital of the world, it attracts many aspiring entrepreneurship and business students. Moreover, the state has a thriving economy and presents several job opportunities for entrepreneurship graduates.
An entrepreneurship degree from a New York college is ideal for those hoping to enter the corporate world, launch their own start-up, and learn how to transform ideas into a successful business enterprise. Whether you want to pursue an online entrepreneurship degree or an on-campus one, New York is the ideal option. However, if you aren’t completely sold on New York as a study destination, explore entrepreneurship colleges by state.
Before applying keep admission requirements, acceptance rates, graduation rate, faculty, available resources, mode of delivery, and most importantly, cost in consideration. An important point to remember is that private universities generally cost more than state universities.
We hope this guide helps you and wish you the very best!