Best Colleges for Entrepreneurship

Serving students in Minnesota for over 50 years, North Hennepin Community College has a long history of satisfied graduates. It adds to that tradition with two options for those interested in entrepreneurship.

The entrepreneurship AAS can be earned entirely online, with all credits designed to transfer to a variety of colleges in Minnesota for pursuit of a bachelor's degree. The program boosts intellectual and practical skills that suit the broader business world, providing a strong foundation for students who intend to pursue careers in everything from administration to marketing. Meanwhile, the entrepreneurship certificate focuses on what students need to know to manage or own a strong, growing business.

Those who choose to attend this online college will be glad to know that North Hennepin Community College awarded the third highest percentage of degrees in entrepreneurship in 2015 out of all 33 colleges reviewed for this list, and scored in the top third for affordability of tuition to boot. North Hennepin also offers an open admissions policy, meaning that any and all applicants are accepted as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED certificate.

The Associate of Applied Science in business and entrepreneurship from Mojave Community College is designed to address the challenges of a fast-paced business world. With courses that focus on accounting, economics, human resources, business law, marketing and small business management, students who complete the program are likely to walk away from the experience with enhanced communication skills, a strong code of ethics and a strong understanding of fundamental business principles.

With open admissions and an impressive fourth-place ranking for tuition affordability — the best tuition score of all the colleges on this list — Mojave Community College is a great high-value venture for those who want to earn the associate degree and perhaps move on to an online bachelor's degree program. Interest in this college's entrepreneurship program is clear: in 2015, Mojave awarded the fifth highest percentage of entrepreneurship degrees out of all 33 colleges we looked at.

Students seeking out a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship might be well-served by the National American University's Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. Students are expected to graduate with a firm grasp of business plan development; product development innovation; small business and strategic entrepreneurship; and even how to handle international opportunities.

Those who prefer to pursue an associate degree can find several that focus on various points of entrepreneurship, including Small Business Management, Business Logistics and Business Administration.

The university boasts a dedicated business/entrepreneurship department, which might explain why it achieved our No.2 ranking for entrepreneurship degrees as a percentage of all degrees awarded in 2015. Just about any prospective student has the opportunity to give it a shot, as National American University has an open admissions policy.

The AAS degree in entrepreneurship at Southeast Technical Institute is designed to prepare students for jumping into the small business world, utilizing courses in marketing, management, communication, business law, computer science and more. Students are encouraged to consider a double major, which will allow them to apply their new entrepreneurship skills to a business path that will suit them well upon graduation.

The open admissions policy of Southeast Technical Institute means any student with a high school diploma or GED certificate can try their hand at earning a degree here. Evidence suggests that most take it quite seriously, considering the No.4 ranking this school earned for graduation rate. Students can also look forward to favorable tuition; the school ranked No.5 for affordable tuition rates.

The Bachelor of Science in Business and Entrepreneurial Studies at University of Maine at Machias focuses on helping students to build a strong base in marketing, business, accounting, statistics and economics. Students can then choose from one of six concentrations: accounting, business sustainability, marketing, management, sport and fitness management, or a self-designed option.

Entrepreneurial studies is a big deal at UMM, where a whopping 15% of all degrees awarded are in entrepreneurship or a closely related field — by far the highest of all universities we reviewed. The school also has the No.9 ranking for graduation rate and an open admissions policy to recommend it to prospective students.

Business-minded students at the College of Southern Idaho can look forward to the Associate of Applied Science in business management and entrepreneurship. Those who pursue the degree can expect to learn about the modern business environment, business law, general management skills and basic concepts of the business world. Though the program is designed to help students jump into the workforce upon graduation, those who are interested in a bachelor's degree might be able to transfer their credits.

CSI ranks No.9 out of 33 schools on our list for affordability, and ranks No.9 again in another of our metrics: percentage of entrepreneurship degrees awarded in 2015. Coupled with an open admissions policy, it's safe to say that any student who wants to try their hand at the small-business dream should consider doing so at the College of Southern Idaho.

Those with an eye toward work in the retail market can find the skills they need at Gennesee Community College, part of the State University of New York System (SUNY). Students in the entrepreneurship AAS program have access to a broad base of knowledge, including courses in accounting, operations management, merchandise management, information technology, e-commerce and much more.

Students seeking a fully online experience should note that Genesee Community College requires students to attend some courses in person; the entrepreneurship program is about 75% online. Those who choose to pursue the entrepreneurship certificate, however, can earn their certificate entirely online.

With an open admissions policy and a graduation rate in the top half of all schools surveyed, GCC is a great option for dedicated, business-minded students. The school also ranked in the top 10 out of all 33 schools we surveyed for tuition costs, which means that its in-depth education in retail entrepreneurship can be quite affordable.

Students at Minnesota State Community and Technical College have access to five programs that focus on entrepreneurship — one of the highest number of programs offered by a school on this list. The AAS in business entrepreneurship focuses on skills that will help graduates assess opportunities, obtain financial backing, prepare business plans and market business ventures. Meanwhile, those who want to dip their toes into the field but aren't ready to pursue the associate degree can opt for the business entrepreneurship diploma or one of three different certificates focused on various areas of the entrepreneurship world:

• Entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurship Essentials
• Entrepreneurial Fundamentals

An open admissions policy means all high school graduates are welcome, and the fantastic graduation rate — ranked 5th on our list — indicates that most students at M State take their education quite seriously. Tuition ranks comfortably in the middle of the list; the ability to complete all courses online helps drop the cost of M State's education even further.

Students who enroll in the AAS in entrepreneurship program at Great Basin College can look forward to understanding the legal issues, financial difficulties and organizational issues of running a small business. They should also learn how to find mentoring and sources of funding, engage in in-depth networking, and learn to develop marketing and business plans. Students who want to continue their education beyond the associate degree can use their credits to leap into the Bachelor of Applied Science in management in technology.

With open admissions, a thriving business department and an impressive number of degree options, Great Basin College shines in our rankings. But the real beauty of this college opportunity is the affordable tuition: GBC ranks sixth on our list for tuition, making it one of the more attainable options out there.

When seeking out online bachelor's degree programs in entrepreneurship, students can look to Lamar University's Bachelor of Business Administration in entrepreneurship. This online degree program is built to provide a strong foundation for future business owners and managers, encompassing courses in accounting, finance, management and analysis. Communication skills and development strategies hold a particular emphasis.

Various start dates throughout the year make it easier for busy students to fit Lamar's education into their schedule. It's unfortunate to note that admission to Lamar University is highly competitive, with just over 79 percent of applicants accepted. However, the graduation rate for the school ranked seventh out of 33 schools, which makes it one of the top producing schools for entrepreneurs.