Affordable Online Entrepreneur Bachelor’s Degrees

Affordable Online Entrepreneur Bachelor’s Degrees

Staff Writers picture
Staff Writers
Updated May 27, 2021

Are you ready to find your fit?

Most Affordable Entrepreneurship badge

Entrepreneurs identify new business opportunities and secure capital to fund innovations. The field requires an innovative mindset, creativity, and strong business training. A bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship provides focused training in opportunity assessment, financial management, and venture development. Entrepreneurship majors also study topics like leadership, management, and marketing.

After completing an online entrepreneurship degree, professionals can launch a new company, expand a small business, or acquire a business venture. Online learning formats appeal to busy professionals seeking a flexible route to a bachelor's degree. Full-time students can typically complete an online bachelor's in entrepreneurship program in four years. However, many online programs offer self-paced or accelerated options for students seeking a faster route to the degree.

This guide ranks the best online bachelor's degrees in entrepreneurship to help prospective students find the right program to reach their career goals.

Top 10 Most Affordable Online Master's in Entrepreneurship Degrees

#1 Peirce College Philadelphia, PA
#2 Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ
#3 Gulf Coast State College Panama City, FL
#4 University of Maine at Fort Kent Fort Kent, ME
#5 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, WI
#6 National Louis University Chicago, IL
#7 Lamar University Beaumont, TX
#8 University of Maine at Machias Machias, ME
#9 Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN
#10 Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN

Have Questions About Bachelor's Degrees in Entrepreneurship? We've Got Answers.

What is entrepreneurship?Entrepreneurship is the process of evaluating business opportunities and establishing a new business venture. Entrepreneurs research business opportunities, pursue outside funding, and manage businesses.
What can I do with an entrepreneurship degree?An entrepreneurship degree prepares graduates for careers as an entrepreneur and positions in business, like consultant and management analyst.
How long does it take to earn a bachelor's in entrepreneurship?A bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship generally takes four years of full-time study to complete. Transfer students with prior college credit or students who choose an accelerated program can earn the degree in less time.
What is the difference between a business degree and an entrepreneurship degree? Business degrees and entrepreneurship degrees provide foundational training in business and management. However, entrepreneurship degrees also include specialized courses in areas like opportunity analysis, creativity and innovation, and new venture management.

Degree Overview

If you're wondering what a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship is, it's important to start with what an entrepreneur is. An entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own business, often with limited capital, while taking on all the risks.

A degree in this field helps you learn to become an entrepreneur. It teaches you how to assess risk, meet market needs, create business plans, and grow your business. This degree is one of many types of business degrees, and it's a great fit for someone who has the goal of starting their own business, but doesn't know how to execute it.

Courses in Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship courses build the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in business, finance, and marketing. Graduates also gain the abilities required to establish or acquire business ventures. During an online bachelor's in entrepreneurship, students take courses on topics like opportunity analysis, business management, innovation, and research. The following list outlines several common courses found in online bachelor's in entrepreneurship programs.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Many entrepreneurship programs begin with an introductory course that covers the process of founding a new business, the role of funding, and consumer analysis. Students may learn how to access major funding sources, create a business plan, and develop a funding proposal. The course prepares entrepreneurship majors for upper-division classes.

Opportunity Analysis

Opportunity analysis courses explore the social and economic climate around creating new business ventures. Learners build knowledge of market research, demographic trends, and technological change from the perspective of small business opportunities. The course prepares graduates to research and analyze business ventures.

Small Business Management

Classes on small business management examine the establishment and management of small organizations from an entrepreneurial perspective. Students learn about innovative business ideas, the difference between founding and acquiring a business, and the process of franchising. Topics may also include small business economics, financial management, and market research.

Creativity and Innovation

Entrepreneurs regularly draw on their creative abilities. This course introduces students to the creative process, exploring different methods for productive thinking and promoting innovation. Learners examine the role of creativity in innovation and explore their own creative abilities to strengthen the core skills necessary for entrepreneurial careers.

Entrepreneurship Internship

Many entrepreneurship programs incorporate an internship that builds hands-on skills. During the internship, entrepreneurship majors work under the supervision of an experienced business professional. Online learners can arrange local internships at program-approved sites. The course builds career-ready skills.

Job Outlook & Salary

Earning an entrepreneurship bachelor's degree online prepares graduates for a variety of career paths. For instance, entrepreneurship graduates can establish a new business venture or invest additional resources in a current business.

An entrepreneurship degree also leads to opportunities in other business fields. For example, entrepreneurship graduates can work as management analysts or market research analysts. Both positions draw on the training of an entrepreneurship degree, which builds consulting, research, and analytical skills.

In addition, an online bachelor's in entrepreneurship meets the requirements for in-demand careers like marketing manager and fundraising manager. In these roles, professionals earn above-average salaries, with many bringing in over $100,000 per year. Entrepreneurship graduates can also work as mid-level managers, venture capital analysts, and research and development specialists.

The salary and demand for entrepreneurship professionals varies by factors like industry and location. Students planning to earn an entrepreneurship degree online should research the career and salary outlook for their intended field.>

JOB TITLEMEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers$135,900
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers$116,180
Financial Analysts$85,660

Source: BLS

Specializations in Entrepreneurship

Prospective students considering an online bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship can choose from programs that offer an entrepreneurship major or a business administration major with a concentration in entrepreneurship. Both options provide specialized entrepreneurship training in addition to foundational business training.

Online bachelor's in entrepreneurship programs may offer additional specializations in areas like finance or business management. Students can also focus their degree on a particular industry by taking courses in areas such as healthcare management, manufacturing, or technology. By strategically choosing specialization areas, students can prepare for specific career paths after graduation.

Accredition for Entrepreneurship Programs

Prospective entrepreneurship majors should always check a school's accreditation status before applying. Accredited institutions meet the highest standards for academic excellence. To earn accreditation, schools undergo a rigorous and thorough review from an independent accrediting agency. The review examines the school's student learning outcomes, faculty qualifications, and graduation requirements. Accredited institutions must maintain their status by regularly repeating the review process.

In addition to institutional accreditation, entrepreneurship programs may hold accreditation from a specialized accrediting agency. For example, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs grant accreditation to business programs. Additionally, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission grants accreditation to schools that offer online degree programs.

Accreditation benefits students in several ways. For instance, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only accept degrees and transfer credits from accredited institutions. Additionally, some employers prefer to hire candidates with an accredited degree. Learn more about the accreditation process.

Scholarships for Entrepreneurship Students

Students earning an online entrepreneurship degree may qualify for multiple scholarship opportunities offered by professional organizations and private foundations. These opportunities can help entrepreneurship majors earn their degree with less debt, positioning graduates to establish a new company or develop a business idea without worrying about repaying loans.

GreenPal Business Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Candidates for this scholarship must be pursuing a major in a college of business, economics, or finance, including entrepreneurship, and hold a minimum 3.5 GPA. Recipients must be attending an accredited school full time.

Amount: $2,000

Apply for Scholarship

Financial Aid for Entrepreneurship Students

In addition to scholarships, entrepreneurship majors can apply for other forms of financial aid. For instance, online entrepreneurship students attending an accredited school qualify for federal financial aid, which includes grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.

To receive federal financial aid, students must fill out the FAFSA every year. The FAFSA asks for financial information to determine the applicant's educational expenses and expected contribution. Based on that information, the federal financial aid program offers applicants different forms of aid, including subsidized and unsubsidized loans. If possible, students should choose subsidized loans, which do not accrue interest while the recipient attends school.

Entrepreneurship students can also apply for private loans through banks and other financial lenders. Other forms of financial aid include institutional aid granted by the school, private fellowships, paid internships, and employer tuition reimbursement programs.

The Top 20 Most Affordable Entrepreneurship Master's Degrees

  1. Peirce College
    Location

    Philadelphia, PA

    Tuition

    $6395

    A private college based in Philadelphia, Peirce offers an online bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship/small business management. Learners in the program can either conclude their studies after completing enough credits for an associate degree or complete the entire bachelor's degree. The degree also prepares students for graduate programs, including Peirce's master's in organizational leadership and management.

    Students in the program complete 121 credits, including 63 credits of core courses and 15 credits of electives. The entrepreneurship curriculum covers financial analysis, ethical leadership, entrepreneurial marketing, operations management, and human resource management. Learners can also complete a three-credit cooperative work experience or an additional elective course.

    Learners complete this bachelor's degree online or in a hybrid format that mixes in on-campus courses. For many general education courses, students can choose from online and campus courses on a weekly basis, adding flexibility for students who live in the Philadelphia area.

    • Graduation rate: 35%
    • School status: Private
    • Location: Philadelphia, PA
    • Number of programs: 26
    • Admission requirements: First-year students must have earned at least a “C” or higher in college-level English and mathematics, and will be asked to complete a placement exam if they have not. Applicants must submit a $50 fee along with their application, as well as their official high school diploma, transcript, or GED/state equivalency to be considered.
    • Contact: 1.888.467.3472
    • Website
  2. Thomas Edison State University
    Location

    Trenton, NJ

    Tuition

    $7519

    A professionally focused college geared toward working students, TESU offers a bachelor of science in business administration in entrepreneurship that develops finance and management skills, training students to identify and assess business opportunities. This New Jersey-based college serves students around the country through its flexible online programs.

    TESU's online bachelor's in entrepreneurship includes 54 major credits, divided between 36 credits of professional business requirements and 18 credits of entrepreneurship concentration courses. The business core includes courses in principles of management, business law, and business communications. The entrepreneurship concentration focuses on managerial finance, marketing, and consumer behavior.

    TESU offers several opportunities to earn credit for prior learning, including the Thomas Edison Credit-by-Examination Program. Students can also earn academic credit for relevant experience such as military training or professional certifications.

    • Graduation rate: 54%
    • School status: Public
    • Location:: Trenton, NJ
    • Number of programs: 100+
    • Admission requirements: Undergraduate students must possess a high school degree, GED, or secondary home school diploma. Applicants must be 20 years old or older, or be 18 years old and an active member of the United States military. Individuals under 18 will not be permitted to enroll in the university.
    • Contact: 609.777.5680
    • Website
  3. Gulf Coast State College
    Location

    Panama City, FL

    Tuition

    $3128

    Based in Panama City, Florida, GCSC offers a bachelor of applied science in organizational management with an option in corporate entrepreneurship, which prepares students to lead and manage innovation in all types of organizations. The program primarily serves professionals already working in the field.

    GCSC's entrepreneurship curriculum includes 42 major credits, including 24 credits of organizational management core courses and 24 credits of corporate entrepreneurship specialization courses. Core courses cover organizational communication and contemporary leadership challenges, while the specialization includes courses in entrepreneurial marketing, selling, and finance.

    GCSC's online entrepreneurship degree is a completion program, so applicants must hold an associate degree from another accredited college. Prospective students do not need a business-related degree to apply to the program.

    • Graduation rate: 44%
    • School status: Public
    • Location: Panama City, FL
    • Number of programs: 140+
    • Admission requirements: Students must submit a formal application along with their official high school transcripts in order to be considered.
    • Contact: 1.850.769.1551
    • Website
  4. University of Maine at Fort Kent
    Location

    Fort Kent, ME

    Tuition

    $10731

    Home to some of Maine's top online bachelor's degrees, UMFK trains proficient business leaders and entrepreneurs through its bachelor of science in business management with a concentration in entrepreneurship and marketing. The program explores the use of technology and management principles for small businesses and other entrepreneurial ventures.

    UMFK's business major requires 63 credits, including a 30-credit entrepreneurship concentration and an eight-credit internship. All students complete core courses in business law, management, and financial analysis. The concentration includes courses in web design, managerial economics, and global electronic marketing.

    During the program's final semesters, all students complete an internship in an approved business environment. The internship gives students an opportunity to apply their course knowledge to real business issues, gaining deeper knowledge of entrepreneurship in the process. Online students typically complete the internship at a business near their home.

    • Graduation rate: 46%
    • School status: Public
    • Location: Fort Kent, ME
    • Number of programs: 60+
    • Admission requirements: First-year students are required to graduate from an approved secondary school with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants can also submit letters of recommendation and life experience for consideration.
    • Contact: 1.207.834.7500
    • Website
  5. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
    Location

    Whitewater, WI

    Tuition

    $12094

    UWW's bachelor of science in business administration in entrepreneurship provides students with the skills to evaluate opportunities and create start-up plans for businesses. The program emphasizes marketing, financing, and organization.

    UWW's online entrepreneurship degree offers four concentration tracks: startup, innovator, social, and family entrepreneurship. Concentrations serve as suggestions for curriculum and co-curricular activities, but students can create their own customized track based on professional interests. Regardless of concentration, all learners complete core courses such as entrepreneurial marketing and entrepreneurial financial management.

    UWW offers several opportunities for business students, including the Launchpad startup accelerator, which provides support for student startup businesses, and Enactus, a student organization that explores the positive impacts of entrepreneurship. Learners can also join the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization and participate in the school's Warhawk Business Plan Competition.

    • Graduation rate: 58%
    • School status: Public
    • Location: Whitewater, WI
    • Tuition: $$$$$
    • Number of programs: 60+
    • Admission requirements: Applicants must have taken at least 4 units of English, 3 units of Math, 3 units of Natural Science, 3 units of Social Science, and 4 units of Academic Electives as demonstrated by their high school transcript in order to be considered. They must also send their SAT and ACT scores with their application.
    • Contact: 1.262.472.1234
    • Website
  6. National Louis University
    Location

    Chicago, IL

    Tuition

    $14285

    A private college based in Chicago, NLU offers one of the country's top online entrepreneurship degrees. The university offers several undergraduate majors that pair with an entrepreneurship concentration, including applied communication, business administration, healthcare leadership, human services, and management. These programs emphasize the varied roles of entrepreneurship in different industries.

    Students pursuing the entrepreneurship concentration complete four specialized courses that take the place of general electives. These courses focus on key topics in small business management, creativity and innovation, and entrepreneurship's role in different aspects of business, including management, leadership, and sales. Students also complete an entrepreneurship laboratory course that explores varied approaches to the field.

    NLU focuses on the needs of working students, with a fully online curriculum and seven annual start dates. Learners can also apply credits from entrepreneurship concentration courses toward the school's master of business administration program, accelerating the graduate degree.

    • Graduation rate: 22%
    • School status: Private
    • Location: Chicago, IL
    • Number of programs: 60+
    • Admission requirements: Candidates must submit a formal application along with their official transcripts from all institutions attended in order to be considered for admission.
    • Contact: 1.850.769.1551
    • Website
  7. Lamar University
    Location

    Beaumont, TX

    Tuition

    $11510

    Located in Beaumont, Texas, LU ranks among the top public colleges in the Lone Star State. The university offers one of the state's best bachelor's in entrepreneurship degrees. Available fully online, LU's bachelor of science in business administration in entrepreneurship builds foundational skills in management, finance, accounting, and analysis.

    The 120-credit curriculum includes a program core and an entrepreneurship specialization. The core covers major topics like business technology, economics, and organizational behavior management. The specialization delves into cost accounting, intermediate financial management, and entrepreneurial market opportunities.

    LU's online program caters to independent, self-motivated learners, offering several annual start dates to accommodate students' varied schedules. Prospective students can also work with enrollment specialists to ensure that the program meets their needs. Some full-time students complete the degree in two years.

    • Graduation rate: 27%
    • School status: Public
    • Location: Beaumont, TX
    • Number of programs: 100+
    • Admission requirements: Applicants must have a high school diploma; have completed at least 14 high school credits; and meet the test-optional admissions criteria or achieve a minimum composite score on the ACT or SAT.
    • Contact: 1.409.880.7011
    • Website
  8. University of Maine at Machias
    Location

    Machias, ME

    Tuition

    $8877

    Promoting the development of entrepreneurial culture, UMM's bachelor of science in business and entrepreneurial studies highlights both the technical knowledge and creative spirit of entrepreneurship. The program offers two concentration options in nonprofit organization management and small business/entrepreneurship.

    The program's curriculum includes 12 credits of foundation courses, 33 credits of professional courses, and nine credits of concentration courses. The foundation section covers marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, along with an introductory course in either psychology or sociology. The professional core delves into managerial decision-making and project management.

    The entrepreneurship concentration explores topics in small business management and innovation, while the nonprofit concentration covers business ethics, social responsibility, nonprofit governance, and grant writing. Students must complete all courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0 to graduate.

    • Graduation rate: 29%
    • School status: Public
    • Location: Machias, ME
    • Number of programs: 50+
    • Admission requirements: Applicants must hold at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent and submit an application with their official transcripts. Letters of recommendation, personal essays, and SAT/ACT scores are optional for consideration.
    • Contact: 1.207.255.1318
    • Website
  9. Metropolitan State University
    Location

    Saint Paul, MN

    Tuition

    $14900

    A public college based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Metropolitan State offers some of the top online bachelor's degrees in the Midwest. The university's bachelor of science in entrepreneurship and innovation explores the functional areas of businesses along with strategies for effective management, preparing graduates to start their own business or spur innovation within existing organizations.

    Metropolitan State's entrepreneurship major requires 70 credits, including courses in management foundations, a business core, an entrepreneurship concentration, specialized electives, and a culminating capstone. The concentration core covers strategic management, venture creation, and entrepreneurial mindset. Students can also choose from several relevant electives, such as business plans, marketing plans, and developing new products and services.

    Along with a fully online option, Metropolitan State maintains a partnership with the Minnesota State System that enables students to complete classroom courses at several campus locations around the state. The university's MetroConnect program makes it possible to earn a Metropolitan State degree while completing campus courses at another institution.

    • Graduation rate: 39%
    • School status: Public
    • Location: St. Paul, MN
    • Number of programs: 100+
    • Admission requirements: First-year students may be considered if they are part of the upper 50th percentile of their high school class, have an ACT/PSAT/SAT composite score at or above the national average, have a GED transcript, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
    • Contact: 1.651.793.1300
    • Website
  10. Bemidji State University
    Location

    Bemidji, MN

    Tuition

    $14814

    One of Minnesota's top public colleges, BSU offers an online bachelor of science in business administration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship. The program trains students to develop and implement scalable business plans, procure funding, and add value to business ventures. The curriculum emphasizes small business case studies and new venture capital.

    The curriculum includes 44 credits of core business administration courses, which introduce foundational topics such as accounting, business law, statistics, strategic management, and macroeconomics. Learners select four entrepreneurship electives with the assistance of an advisor, with options in decision support systems, risk management and insurance, international management, and advertising management.

    During their final semester, all students complete a senior seminar in business administration, which includes preparation for a major business assessment exam. All business majors must complete the comprehensive final exam, which assesses overall program knowledge in topics like management, finance, marketing, and business technology.

    • Graduation rate: 46%
    • School status: Public
    • Location: Bemidji, MN
    • Number of programs: 70
    • Admission requirements: Students are guaranteed admission if they receive an ACT composite score of 21+; are ranked in the top 50% of their high school class; or have a 2.75 GPA or higher.
    • Contact: 1.218.755.2040
    • Website

Learn More...

2020 Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Business Administration

Entrepreneurship Scholarships

Affordable MBA Entrepreneurship Online Degrees

Get prepared for your next steps

Use articles and resources to uncover answers to common questions, get guidance on your goals, and learn about applying to schools.

Discover a program that is right for you.

Explore different options for you based on your degree interests.