Key takeaways:
- California provides a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem with its strong economy and venture capital investment, making it an ideal place for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- The Golden State is home to some of the best universities in the world, including 3 from the Times Higher Education List of top 10 universities in the US, namely Stanford, Caltech, and University of California, Berkeley.
- However, rankings should not be your only consideration factor when evaluating public and private colleges in California for entrepreneurship. Also consider cost, student-to-faculty ratio, curriculum, campus life, etc.
- University education can be made available through scholarships, funding, tuition assistance, and more. So, make sure to exhaust all options before you give up on your dream university.
- The best private colleges in California include Loyola Marymount University, the University of San Francisco, and the University of Southern California
- Excellent public colleges for entrepreneurs include California State University, Fullerton, University of California, Irvine, and University of California, Davis.
California has the highest number of top-ranked colleges in the country as per Times Higher Education, totaling 14. These include 3 from the top ten in the Best Universities in the US list namely Stanford, Caltech, and the University of California, Berkeley.
Here we bring to you a list of some excellent private and public colleges in California for a bachelor’s entrepreneurship degree and discuss in detail what makes California a great study destination.
Private colleges in California for entrepreneurship programs
When you think of private colleges in California, the mind automatically goes to Stanford, University of California Berkeley, and the like. However, these high-end exclusive private colleges are not the only ones providing quality education.
The bar for academic excellence in California is high, raising the competition among educational institutes. Healthy competition always pushes institutes to bring out the best in each other. Here is a list of top colleges for entrepreneurship in California.
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a top-ranked private college located in Los Angeles, California. It has an average annual undergraduate enrollment of over 7,000 students in several disciplines.
Aspiring entrepreneurship students can benefit from the vigorous curriculum of their entrepreneurship major. LMU is one of the pioneers in the field of entrepreneurship academics being one of the first to offer an entrepreneurship program. The university now also offers two MS programs that students can choose to pursue after undergraduate studies.
Loyola Marymount offers a vibrant campus life with over 200 student clubs, recreational activities, an arts scene, and much more. With a graduation rate of 82%, it is easily one of the best private colleges in California for entrepreneurship.
| Location | GPA requirements | Acceptance rates | Average tuition fees |
| Los Angeles | 3.00 | 41% | $61,867 / yr |
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco is set on an astounding 55-acre campus. It has a socio-economic diversity rate of 28% making it ideal for students for a culturally rich university.
The university has an enjoyable campus life to offer. You can become a member of a sorority or fraternity, become part of a club, join an honors society, take on a leadership role by joining organizing committees, etc.
The BSBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation program helps build a variety of skill sets and knowledge bases needed to succeed in the entrepreneurial field. Entrepreneurship students can gain first-hand entrepreneurial experience by joining clubs and organizing committees.
| Location | GPA requirements | Acceptance rates | Average tuition fees |
| San Francisco | 3.0 | 71% | $52,920 / yr |
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private research university famous for its interdisciplinary programs. The core goal of the college is to equip students with real-life knowledge and skills needed to succeed. Its vision is what makes it an ideal choice for aspiring entrepreneurship students.
Its Bachelor of Business Administration program with a core concentration on innovation in entrepreneurship is one of the best in California. Students can choose from a variety of courses such as leadership and innovation which can enhance their skill set.
With an acceptance rate of 12% and a graduation rate of 91.4%, it is one of the best entrepreneurship schools in California.
| Location | GPA requirements | Acceptance rates | Average tuition fees |
| Los Angeles | 3.8 | 12% | $69,904 /yr |
Public colleges in California for entrepreneurship programs
If private colleges in California for entrepreneurship do not meet your requirements, look into our list of public colleges. They offer similar educational excellence at affordable rates. They also feature a diverse student base and provide avenues for learning outside the classroom.
If you want to broaden your horizons, read on to find some of the affordable top colleges for entrepreneurship.
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton offers an entrepreneurship concentration with a business administration degree. The university also has a center for entrepreneurship that aims to provide entrepreneurship students with the ideal social environment needed to succeed.
The average cost of tuition at California State University is lower than that of private colleges in California. However, the curriculum is just as advanced, and academic excellence is guaranteed.
The university has an equal acceptance and graduation rate of 66.7%, making it ideal for students seeking an institute that offers high-value education at affordable prices.
| Location | GPA requirements | Acceptance rates | Average tuition fees |
| Fullerton | 3.0 | 66.7% | $27,831/yr |
University of California, Irvine
The program focuses on teaching innovation within new and existing companies preparing candidates for a successful entrepreneurial career. Throughout the program, you will also learn how to start a new venture, venture capital, lean startup methodology, and more.
The acceptance rate for the college is 21.2% and the graduation rate is 85%. Even though you cannot put a value on education quality, the graduation rate gives a pretty good idea.
The University of California, Irvine is also one of the best colleges for criminology in California. Its criminology, law, and society department is one of the best in the state.
| Location | GPA requirements | Acceptance rates | Average tuition fees |
| Irvine | 3.0 for California residents – 3.4 for out-of-state residents | 21.2% | $13,939/yr |
University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis offers education excellence in a variety of programs. It’s entrepreneurship and innovation minor with a major in business is one of them. Through the program, candidates learn what is needed to create and lead a new venture toward success.
The university offers a world-class facility with an all-inclusive environment, providing students with everything they need to succeed. The university’s graduation rate of 86.2% is a testament to its education excellence.
| Location | GPA requirements | Acceptance rates | Average tuition fees |
| Davis | 3.0 | 37.3% | $14,858/yr |
What makes public and private colleges in California ideal for entrepreneurship students?
California, as a study destination, has a lot to offer, including rich cultural diversity, picturesque landscapes, ideal for digital photography enthusiasts, and great weather suitable for outdoor excursions. Students will never suffer from a shortage of things to do. But they will have a tough time deciding which college to choose.
There are hundreds of public and private colleges in California, each with its own unique benefits. But what makes California an amazing place for students is not just the availability of excellent educational institutes, but also an ideal economic environment enabling graduates to thrive.
California’s thriving economy makes it ideal for students. It is the fifth-largest economy in the world for the seventh year in a row, with a nominal GDP of $3.9 trillion in 2023. In 2019, Forbes labeled California as the best for business, with a $58 billion investment in venture capital.
Because the state has an above-average growth rate of 6.1%, it will likely continue to emerge as a top-performing economy in the years to come. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the monthly average employment rate in California is 18,000+.
California is a densely populated state, which in turn means small business owners will never run out of potential customers. The entrepreneurial landscape in the Golden State is fueled by heavy investment in startups. As per Statista, the venture capital investment in California is valued at 81.57 billion, the highest in the country.
With an entrepreneurship degree in hand, you can pursue career opportunities in human resources, management, and finance. And more. But before you choose to pursue entrepreneurship as a career, maybe look into whether entrepreneurship is the right fit for you or not.
How to choose the best colleges in California?
Which college to choose for your bachelor’s is not a decision you can just make on a whim. Before you enroll in an entrepreneurship program, explore the entrepreneurship program in detail, and learn about the college, financial aid options, and more.
A simple search on the internet will overwhelm you with the amount of information available on entrepreneurship colleges. Sorting through the scattered resources is challenging and time-consuming. Thus, we have compiled a detailed guide on finding the best public and private colleges in California for entrepreneurship students.
Ratings are just one factor to consider when finding public and private colleges in California for entrepreneurship. They are not what we solely base our degree advice on. Our suggestion is to take into account, faculty, location, job placement programs, acceptance rates, tuition fees, and more when choosing a college for entrepreneurship.
Program coursework
Program coursework for a four-year bachelor’s degree typically involves completing 120 credit hours, including or in addition to a capstone project.
For example: the entrepreneurship program imparts interdisciplinary teachings to its students, especially at the beginning of the program. However, students can later choose further concentration areas or specializations, either formally or by managing their elective choices.
Typical foundation courses include subjects such as accounting, business administration, management, introduction to entrepreneurship, etc. Specialization courses include entrepreneurial finance, entrepreneurial law, global entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial ethics and law, technology in entrepreneurship, and more.
The career prospects of an entrepreneurship graduate are bright and vast. We suggest you keep your academic goals, and future career choices in mind when choosing a program.
Student-to-teacher ratio
The campus size may seem like an unnecessary thing to look into, but it can tell you the expected student-to-teacher ratio. Large universities have bigger classrooms with more students in each class. Whereas, smaller colleges with smaller classrooms have a lower student-to-teacher ratio.
Students looking for a college with a more intimate teaching experience, may not be interested in big universities with a higher student-to-teacher ratio. However, keep in mind that in most colleges, foundational courses have a higher number of students. Whereas, specialization courses will have a smaller number of students.
Thus, over time you will be able to enjoy a smaller student-to-teacher ratio even if you enroll in a college with a larger campus.
Acceptance rate
Each application that you submit will cost you around $25 to even over $100. Thus, consider college applications as an investment and select ones with the best value for money, and the highest rate of return.
High-end, exclusive universities have acceptance rates of less than 5%. For an average student, the odds of getting admission to one are nearly non-existent. Students with a lower-than-average GPA should be looking for colleges with around 80% acceptance rates.
Cost of attendance
Pursuing higher education in the US can prove quite costly. But, in California, it costs more. When calculating your cost of study, you have to account for not just tuition fees, but also accommodation, cost of living, and traveling.
However, there is a wide range of public and private universities present in California. With ample research, you should be able to find excellent schools that fit your budget.
Financial aid options
A college education is not cheap. But, do not be disheartened by the price tag on some of the best colleges for entrepreneurship. The prices may seem steep, but you may still be able to afford to study in your dream college.
Some ways to finance your education include scholarships, tuition assistance programs, or financial aid packages. Even if you don’t qualify for a merit scholarship, most universities offer need-based assistance to qualifying applicants.
Other options include student loans, and private and non-profit institutions offering scholarships.
Student life
An enriched campus life greatly enhances one’s overall learning experience. Students look for colleges that offer the most opportunities for engagement and interaction. Colleges in California offer a vibrant student life from student clubs to on-campus activities, annual events, sports competitions, and more.
Most colleges have some form of activities for their students. A larger university generally means a wider variety of activities. Make sure you look into what campus life looks like before you decide which college to attend.
Accommodation options
Whether you opt for on-campus or off-campus accommodation, being aware of your choices, and their costs beforehand is the best thing to do. Housing in the city can be quite costly. However, suburban areas preferably near public transport stations present excellent affordable options.
The key is to search way before the term starts. As demand for accommodation grows, the options become limited and prices rise even higher.
Enroll in public and private colleges in California today!
With so many excellent options available, finding the right entrepreneurship degree at colleges in California can be exciting yet daunting. By carefully considering factors like program curriculum, campus life, and financial aid, you can make an informed decision and set yourself up for success in your entrepreneurial journey.
Remember, the best college for you is the one that aligns with your goals, values, and learning style. So, start your research, visit public and private colleges in California, and explore the diverse opportunities that the state offers. Your entrepreneurial future awaits!