Key takeaways
- There are over 145 private and over 100 public colleges in Texas to choose from, giving aspiring entrepreneurship students plenty of options.
- CNBC’s report titled America’s Top States for Business ranks Texas as the third best state to start a business in.
- Texas has a higher-than-average job growth rate of 3.2% and the second-largest GDP at $2.03 trillion as of 2023.
- When selecting a college in Texas consider the location, admission requirements, cost of attendance, and more.
- Students will be pleased to know food and transportation costs are significantly lower in Texas than the nation’s mean average.
- University of Houston, Dallas Baptist University, and Baylor University are some private and public colleges in Texas offering entrepreneurship degrees.
- Graduates with an entrepreneurship degree will benefit from the state’s well-established entrepreneurial infrastructure and the no personal or corporate income tax policy
Undertaking a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship at one of the private or public colleges in Texas can do wonders for a student’s career. But college planning can be incredibly stressful, especially in Texas. Several good colleges exist in Texas, including private, public, historically black universities, and community colleges. However, various factors must be considered when selecting a college.
In this article, we discuss what makes Texas an excellent study destination and list a number of private and public colleges in Texas that are ideal for entrepreneurship students.
List of highlighted private and public colleges in Texas offering entrepreneurship degrees
Entrepreneurship is a comprehensive subject with transferable skills that prepare graduates for a rewarding professional career. Here is a list of some of the best colleges in Texas offering business entrepreneurship degrees.
University of Houston
The University of Houston offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs. It is one of the best colleges in Houston with one of the best entrepreneurship programs.
The program features a multitude of entrepreneurial-specific courses in various fields, including revenue, cost, capital, business planning, entrepreneurial perspective, and more.
Additionally, students take part in several entrepreneurial competitions, and social networking opportunities as part of the program’s experiential learning component. Through a holistic educational journey, they learn a multitude of skills.
From idea conception to implementation, entrepreneurship graduates from the University of Houston learn to face every challenge head-on. Additionally, they benefit from on-campus resources such as the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, Rockwell Center, and Academic Advising Board.
Students with a GPA of 3.4 will be individually reviewed and still stand a chance of getting accepted. However, they must have SAT scores above 1170 and ACT scores above 24. The higher the better.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition cost |
| Houston, Texas | 3.40 – 3.45 | 66.2% | $9,699 |
Baylor University
Baylor University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation. The program is designed to impart conceptual knowledge of new venture creation and build efficacy in tools and techniques required for venture management.
Classes begin with an introduction to entrepreneurship and end with a mandatory internship and capstone project. Additionally, students will learn to market their entrepreneurial capabilities to find suitable employment opportunities in the entrepreneurial field.
Baylor University also offers the specialized course Technology in Entrepreneurship for students interested in broadening their knowledge base even further. Moreover, students get to choose from a variety of interesting courses such as:
- Franchising: Franchisee and Franchisor Perspectives
- Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
- Entrepreneurship in the European Union
- Global Perspectives of New Ventures
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition cost |
| Waco, Texas | 3.67 | 45.9% | $51,738 |
University of North Texas
By pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship degree at the University of North Texas, candidates will build entrepreneurship acumen. During the first year, they will undertake general courses such as English, History, and Math.
From junior year onwards students will take a multitude of courses in various fields including accounting, management, finance, and more. The curriculum for the senior year will be filled with entrepreneurship-specific courses including strategic process, business ethics, operations management, complex organizations, human resource management, and more.
To complete the bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship, students will have to complete the general core requirements, meet required credit hour requirements, and complete an internship.
Additionally, a student advisor is present on campus at all times to not only plan the academic calendar but also educate on available employment opportunities.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition cost |
| Denton, Texas | 3.0 | 79.1% | $11,140 |
Dallas Baptist University
The Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship from Dallas Baptist University is ideal for students looking for aspiring entrepreneurs. With a 91.4% acceptance rate and a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5, it is one of the easiest programs to get into.
Entrepreneurship students at Dallas Baptist University must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours in 4 years. Additionally, they must also complete an internship to round out the learning experience and degree requirements.
Additionally, the university offers students a flexible learning schedule. They can either pursue the degree on-campus, online, or in a hybrid format. Students working part-time or full-time can benefit from the flexible learning format.
Moreover, students can choose from a variety of focus areas within the field of entrepreneurship. Popular options include social entrepreneurship, business as a mission, or traditional entrepreneurship.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition cost |
| Dallas, Texas | 2.5 | 91.4% | $35,130 |
Why study at private or public colleges in Texas?
Texas offers plenty of exciting opportunities for students as a study destination. Even though it is called the Lone Star State, it is anything but. With a rich cultural diversity, a thriving economy, and excellent educational institutes, it offers students a wealth of opportunities.
Whether you join one of the colleges in Austin, Houston, or any part of Texas, you will have an excellent learning experience. Here’s what makes Texas a great place to pursue an entrepreneurship degree.
Amazing career opportunities
CNBC’s report titled, America’s Top States for Business, ranks Texas at #3. In fact, Texas has often been termed the best state for business for several reasons. The state ranks at #1 for technology innovation and workforce.
Texas’s economy ranks at #2 right after California with a GDP of $2.03 trillion in the year 2023. Additionally, the state has a 3.2% job growth rate, the second-highest job growth rate in the US.
With an unemployment rate lower than the national average, Texas presents a number of employment opportunities for entrepreneurship graduates. Or graduates can utilize the diverse skill set learned and embark on an entrepreneurial journey.
An entrepreneurship degree equips graduates with transferable skills that they can use to gain employment in several corporate roles. In fact, the majority of jobs for entrepreneurship graduates are well-paid.
Cultural diversity
Texas is the fifth-most diverse state in the US as per US Census Bureau. Cultural diversity in the classroom plays an important role in personality development. By engaging with students from diverse backgrounds, students learn different perspectives, customs, and traditions.
The engagement broadens their horizons and enables them to think outside the box by exposing them to other points of view. Moreover, such engagements can help aspiring entrepreneurs build better connections with the community in the future.
In the future, it will also help them be better leaders for they will understand the cultures and customs of different cultures allowing them to better understand the requirements of their workforce.
Additionally, to cater to the unique requirements and areas of study for different cultural groups, universities offer a wide range of unique major and minor programs.
Affordability
The cost of living is tricky to calculate and will vary for everyone depending on individual lifestyle. Housing in several cities in Texas is lower than the national average. However, if you are looking for colleges in Dallas or Austin, housing costs will be significantly higher.
However, these major metropolitan cities are hubs of economic activity offering plenty of job opportunities. Plus, the cost of living is so much more than just housing costs.
According to an article by Forbes, Texas has a lower-than-state average cost of food. Here is a comparison of the state vs national average.
| Expense | State average cost | National average cost |
| Pizza and movie | $18 | $21 |
| Steak | $10.69 | $11.72 |
| Margarine | $1.09 | $1.12 |
| Coffee | $3.63 | $4.32 |
| Doctor’s visit | $84.22 | $111.23 |
Given that students usually reside in shared housing, Texas is actually one of the most affordable places for students. The low cost of food and transportation can drastically reduce the overall cost of attendance for a college student.
Nevertheless, if affordability is the most important consideration, then look for colleges in Houston or San Antonio.
Guaranteed academic excellence
Whether you are thinking of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business entrepreneurship, an online entrepreneurship degree, or an on-campus one, Texas is a great option. As per Texas Higher Education Data, there are over 145 private and over 100 public colleges in Texas.
From specialized and technical institutions to private and public colleges, there are several options for candidates to choose from. Those who are confident entrepreneurship is the right choice will have a plethora of options to choose from.
Those who are unsure of whether they should or should not pursue entrepreneurship should read 5 signs that you should opt for entrepreneurship majors.
Great weather
Texas’s weather is the cherry on top of the list of what makes Texas an amazing study destination. After all, it is called the sunny state. Students enjoy pleasant sunshine all year round. Yes, summers can be quite hot, especially in desert areas like El Paso.
However, the weather in other parts of Texas is pleasantly sunny, ideal for beach/pool activities. Students looking for states with plenty of opportunities for outdoor excursions will definitely enjoy Texas.
Factors to consider when choosing private and public colleges in Texas
Choosing a college requires significant thought and research. When it comes to selecting from the best colleges in Texas, the task becomes even more challenging. The state has several cutting-edge research institutes and many achievements under its belt. Among the major ones are the first-ever artificial heart transplant and aerospace advancements.
Texas has been at the forefront of academic excellence and innovation, making it especially ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs. Innovation lies at the heart of entrepreneurship and in Texas, aspiring entrepreneurs can learn the art from industry experts renowned for their achievements.
Before you select a college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business entrepreneurship, consider the following factors.
Location
The location is of the essence in Texas. Not only does it dictate the cost of attendance, but also the availability of options. As we have mentioned before, Texas is a culturally diverse state, and cultural diversity is an asset for aspiring entrepreneurs.
When sorting through colleges in Texas, our degree advice would be to find one located in cities with the highest rate of cultural diversity and job opportunities. By stepping out of your comfort zone, and engaging with students from different cultures, you will have taken the very first step towards a successful entrepreneurial journey.
Available specializations
Another major consideration when searching for good colleges in Texas is the availability of specializations. With cultural diversity come unique perspectives and unique requirements. To prepare yourself to succeed in such an environment, you may require additional knowledge specific to your situation.
Luckily, many private and public colleges in Texas offer specializations such as service-oriented entrepreneurship, agricultural entrepreneurial leadership, and so on.
Admission requirements
To pursue a 4-year business entrepreneurship degree, students must usually meet the following requirements:
- Minimum GPA requirements (vary by college and program)
- High school diploma
- Standardized test scores (vary by college and program)
- Recommendation letters
- Essay of interest
These requirements are not set in stone. Some colleges may not have minimum GPA requirements. Whereas others may be willing to overlook a lower GPA for higher standardized test scores.
Make sure you look into the specific requirements for each college you shortlist from the list of private and public colleges in Texas for entrepreneurship.
Tuition cost
A 4-year entrepreneurship degree from a private college will cost more than from one of the public colleges in Texas. Besides tuition, students must also calculate the cost of housing, transport, supplies, and food to calculate the total cost of attendance.
Students looking for an affordable option from one of the private colleges in Texas can explore an online entrepreneurship degree.
Acceptance Rate
Each college application costs around $25 to $100, and in some cases even higher. Make sure you choose the colleges you apply to wisely. Thus, acceptance rate is one of the most important considerations.
The acceptance rate indicates how many applicants successfully gained admission to an institute. For example, colleges with an 80% acceptance rate usually accept 80 out of every 100 applicants each year. The higher the acceptance rate, the higher the likelihood of successfully getting admission to the college.
Study entrepreneurship from a private or public college in Texas!
Texas, the sunny state, is an excellent place to pursue entrepreneurship. It has an excellent entrepreneurial infrastructure, no personal or corporate income tax, a diverse economy, a talented workforce, and an amazing quality of life. You can take advantage of all this and more by studying at one of the colleges in Austin, the state capital.
Additionally, there are several private and public colleges in Texas where students can pursue an entrepreneurship degree. Moreover, there are several jobs for entrepreneurship degree holders in the state. Look for colleges in Dallas if you want to pursue a corporate job.
If formal employment is not the path you want to take, you can start a new business venture in the Lone Star State. Whether you choose to pursue jobs for entrepreneurship or start your own business venture, Texas is the ideal place to be.