Best Online Entrepreneurship Programs of 2024

Entrepreneurs launch new business ventures, grow small businesses, and innovate in established organizations. And an entrepreneurship degree strengthens the business skills and knowledge you’ll need to become an entrepreneur.

Is it worth going back to college for an entrepreneurship degree? Currently, 80% of entrepreneurs have a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to Zippia. That means earning your bachelor’s in entrepreneurship can pay off.

The specialized coursework during an entrepreneurship program can help you break into high-paying entrepreneurship careers. For example, top executives report a six-figure median salary based on May 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

If you’re thinking about majoring in entrepreneurship, check out our rankings of the best online entrepreneurship programs. Our resources can help you find a program that fits your interests, budget, and professional goals.

Graduates with a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship are uniquely prepared for top executive jobs or self-employment. Entrepreneurs trained in business, finance, and management qualify for the highest-level corporate CEO or executive director positions, but they may also forge their own path in a specialized field.

Some entrepreneurs specialize in fields like business, nonprofit management, or PR and fundraising. Others gain experience as general managers. The BLS projects positions for top executives will grow 6% between 2023 and 2033.

Entrepreneurship is an especially popular major because of the high earning potential in fields like business and finance. CEOs can earn annual salaries well over $150,000. Below is a list of some of the most common careers for entrepreneurs.

Find out how to launch your career as an entrepreneur. Learn more about entrepreneurship careers.

Though programs may vary slightly, online bachelor’s degrees typically require students to submit transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and essays with their application. Admission into an online bachelor’s in entrepreneurship program may require students to complete additional steps, such as participating in a virtual interview.

Most colleges accept applications through the Common App, a well-known application tool tailored to undergraduates. The Common App allows students to apply to multiple schools through a single application form. However, students should still customize their essays to fit the criteria of each school on their list.

Entrance exam requirements are common for admission into undergraduate programs. Most bachelor’s programs in entrepreneurship require students to submit SAT or ACT scores, but even programs that do not require standardized test scores may still consider them. Some programs require that applicants meet minimum scores for entry.

Entrepreneurship candidates can use letters of recommendation to their advantage during the application process. Students should ask trusted teachers, mentors, employers, counselors, or coaches they know well to write recommendation letters. Students should request recommendations well in advance to give writers plenty of time to meet deadlines.

Like letters of recommendation, application essays help convey a student’s unique aptitude for an entrepreneurship program. Admissions officers look for original, meaningful essays that allow them to gain insight into students’ academic and professional goals. Some programs include general essay requirements, while others require students to respond to specific prompts.

Colleges always require applicants to submit transcripts for admission consideration. Recent high school graduates must have their high school transcripts sent straight to any college they apply to. Students returning to college after a prolonged absence or with college experience should review each school’s credit-transfer policy.

Since entrepreneurs can launch their careers and assume high-level executive jobs with only a bachelor’s degree, few go on to earn a master’s in entrepreneurship. However, students may return to school to pursue an advanced degree such as an MBA in finance, technology, or nonprofit management.

Though self-employed entrepreneurs do not need a formal education, those who hope for a corporate executive career may pursue an advanced degree. Some employers require or prefer candidates with MBAs for high-level positions. Entrepreneurs may also pursue professional certification in a supplemental skill like small business or project management.