Top Business Schools for Entrepreneurs

In the year 2000, Success Magazine released its ranking of the top 50 business schools in the United States for entrepreneurship. This list, drawn from a range of metrics including program strength, faculty expertise, alumni success, and entrepreneurial resources, identified the institutions that were excelling in fostering the next generation of business leaders, particularly those focused on creating and scaling new ventures. Babson College, with its long-standing reputation as a leader in entrepreneurial education, claimed the top spot, solidifying its position as the most entrepreneurial business school in the country at the time. The rankings provide a glimpse into the landscape of entrepreneurial education at the turn of the century, highlighting the schools that were at the forefront of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among their students.

Babson College, ranked number one, is widely recognized as the premier institution for aspiring entrepreneurs. Babson's MBA program with an emphasis on entrepreneurship had already built a global reputation by the year 2000, thanks to its specialized courses, faculty expertise, and robust network of entrepreneurs and investors. Babson's approach emphasized practical experience, innovation, and a focus on teaching students how to turn ideas into real-world businesses. The school’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) was central to its success, offering a range of programs, from undergraduate to MBA-level entrepreneurship courses, as well as venture incubation services and networking opportunities. Babson's reputation for entrepreneurship education remains unparalleled even today, consistently ranking first in the world for entrepreneurial studies.

Following Babson, UCLA was ranked second, which is a testament to the strength of its entrepreneurial resources and the quality of its MBA program. UCLA’s Anderson School of Management offers a range of entrepreneurial programs designed to support students with both the knowledge and the practical skills needed to launch businesses. The school’s location in Los Angeles, a major hub for innovation and business, provided students with invaluable access to entrepreneurs, investors, and startups. UCLA’s strong ties to the local business community, coupled with its distinguished faculty and dynamic MBA program, made it a top choice for students seeking careers in entrepreneurship.

The University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign earned the third spot for its highly regarded entrepreneurial offerings. The university's College of Business and its Entrepreneurship Center provided resources for students to explore their entrepreneurial ambitions, and the school’s focus on technology commercialization, product development, and business scaling was a significant draw for students looking to enter the tech and startup spaces. Illinois had long been recognized for its engineering and business schools, both of which contributed to its entrepreneurship program's emphasis on innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

DePaul University was ranked fourth, showcasing its commitment to fostering entrepreneurial leadership. Located in Chicago, a city known for its diverse economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem, DePaul’s entrepreneurship program provided students with access to a vast network of business leaders and venture capitalists. The university offered a comprehensive set of entrepreneurial courses that spanned topics such as venture financing, business strategy, and innovation management. The school’s focus on practical, hands-on learning allowed students to engage with real startups, further enhancing the relevance and applicability of the education they received.

University of St. Thomas, ranked fifth, distinguished itself with its solid entrepreneurial foundation. The university’s MBA program, particularly in the Opus College of Business, was known for offering a strong entrepreneurial focus. The school provided a balance of traditional business education and specialized courses in entrepreneurship, including venture capital, growth strategy, and business development. The University of St. Thomas placed a strong emphasis on ethical leadership and sustainability in entrepreneurship, which was becoming an increasingly important consideration for entrepreneurs at the time.

Ranked sixth, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was known for its blend of engineering, technology, and entrepreneurship education. The Lally School of Management at Rensselaer had long been a hub for students interested in combining technological innovation with entrepreneurial ventures. Its focus on technology commercialization and fostering tech-based startups helped cement its place among the top institutions for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Indiana University, with its Kelley School of Business, was ranked seventh. The school’s entrepreneurship program, known for its focus on both large corporations and small startups, provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the business world. Indiana University’s entrepreneurial curriculum was supported by its strong network of alumni and connections to venture capital firms, providing students with a bridge to the real business world.

Case Western Reserve University, ranked eighth, was another institution recognized for its strong entrepreneurship program. With its location in Cleveland, Ohio, Case Western was deeply embedded in a regional ecosystem of emerging businesses, particularly in industries such as healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. The school’s Weatherhead School of Management emphasized leadership and innovation, offering students the tools to develop sustainable entrepreneurial ventures and drive economic growth.

University of Southern California (USC), ranked ninth, boasted one of the most prestigious and comprehensive business schools in the country. The Marshall School of Business was well-known for its entrepreneurial focus and its ability to connect students with the broader Los Angeles business ecosystem. USC’s entrepreneurial program offered courses in startup management, venture capital, and social entrepreneurship, and students were encouraged to take part in competitions, incubators, and hands-on entrepreneurial projects.

Ranked tenth, San Diego State University offered an accessible and practical entrepreneurial education. The university’s College of Business Administration placed a strong emphasis on practical learning, offering students the chance to work on real-world projects, internships, and startup competitions. The school’s location in San Diego, a growing hub for technology and innovation, provided students with opportunities to interact with local entrepreneurs and investors.

The rankings continued with University of Texas - Austin, University of Arizona, and University of Louisville, each offering unique and strong programs for aspiring entrepreneurs. Texas’ McCombs School of Business, for instance, provided an expansive and innovative approach to entrepreneurship with its focus on technology and venture management. The University of Arizona, with its Eller College of Management, was recognized for its focus on business strategy and the startup process, particularly in relation to the southwestern United States' unique business landscape. Meanwhile, University of Louisville had a strong focus on entrepreneurship as part of its overall business strategy, offering a blend of entrepreneurial education, business planning, and growth strategies.

Further down the list, schools like Ball State University, Loyola Marymount University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also earned recognition for their strong entrepreneurial programs, reflecting the diverse array of institutions that were excelling in this field. Loyola Marymount, located in Los Angeles, took advantage of its proximity to Silicon Beach and other tech hubs to offer students real-world exposure to entrepreneurs and startup founders. Meanwhile, University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School provided students with the knowledge to not only launch their own ventures but also to understand the complexities of the global business environment.

The rankings also included schools like Cornell University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and MIT, each of which offered strong interdisciplinary programs that integrated entrepreneurship with engineering, technology, and other specialized fields. MIT’s Sloan School of Management, in particular, was renowned for its emphasis on innovation and tech-driven entrepreneurship, and its integration with the Institute for Technology and Entrepreneurship gave students a direct pathway to launch their own high-tech ventures.

Other notable mentions include schools like Wake Forest University, University of Chicago, and Stanford University, which, despite being ranked lower in the entrepreneurship rankings of 2000, had strong entrepreneurial offerings that continued to evolve and enhance their reputations in subsequent years. Stanford, in particular, would later be recognized as one of the top institutions for entrepreneurs worldwide, particularly due to its proximity to Silicon Valley and its strong ties to the tech industry.

Overall, the rankings released by Success Magazine in 2000 highlighted the diversity and strength of the entrepreneurial education landscape in the United States. As we look back, it is evident that many of these schools have only strengthened their commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and have continued to produce some of the most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders of the 21st century. These rankings not only reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of these institutions but also mark the growing importance of entrepreneurship education as a key driver of economic growth and innovation across industries.