Last Thursday, the Princeton Review released the results of their annual survey that names the schools with the top 25 undergraduate and top 25 graduate entrepreneurship programs in the nation. This year, The Princeton Review solicited data from over 2,000 schools, and 39 institutions’ undergraduate and/or graduate programs made the final list.
Babson College, located just outside of Boston, made the #1 spot on the undergraduate list for the second consecutive year (it also ranked #2 on the graduate program list), followed by The University of Houston. The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor stole the #1 spot on the graduate program list, up from it’s ranking as #2 in 2012.
The Princeton Review conducted its survey of colleges from April through June 2013, asking school administrators 60 questions covering their school’s level of commitment to entrepreneurship, the percentage of faculty, students, and alumni involved in entrepreneurial endeavors, and the number and reach of their mentorship programs. In addition, The Princeton Review asked schools about the scholarships and grants available for entrepreneurial studies and projects, and their support for school-sponsored business plan competitions. All these factors were taken into consideration to build the final list of top ranking programs and schools.
Robert Franek, Princeton Review Senior VP / Publisher, commended the schools for “not only their superb faculties and wide range of course in entrepreneurship, but also for their school-sponsored out-of-class offerings. The students have extraordinary opportunities to network with established entrepreneurs, interact on teams that turn promising ideas into possible start-ups, and develop skills to launch their own successful businesses.”
The Princeton Review has partnered with Entrepreneur Media Inc. on this annual project since 2006. “Our annual ranking provides current and potential entrepreneurs with an overview of the best programs out there that will help cultivate their passions,” said Amy Cosper, VP and editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine. “The opportunity to expand a skillset or network with business influentials can launch a career forward or infuse new perspectives into a company’s growth strategy. The competitive edge these institutions provide is reason enough to see their value, no matter how untraditional the entrepreneurial pursuit may be.”