Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship in 2024: A Guide for Your MBA Career

Last Updated on November 2, 2023 by Robert C. Hoopes

Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis has once again secured its position as the best MBA program for entrepreneurship, marking its fifth consecutive year at the top spot, according to the prestigious ranking by Poets&Quants.

The program at Olin Business School has consistently impressed with its commitment to fostering and supporting entrepreneurial talent. One student who exemplifies this is Kai Skallerud, a former medical student who decided to pursue an MBA in healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship at Olin. Skallerud identified inefficiencies in charting and administrative tasks in the healthcare industry and saw an opportunity to make a difference.

The ranking also highlighted the top five schools in entrepreneurship, with Olin Business School taking the lead with a remarkable score of 44.45 points. ESMT Berlin followed closely behind with 43.55 points, Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Management secured the third spot with 40.21 points, Esade Business School came in fourth with 39.53 points, and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business rounded off the top five with 38.79 points.

The methodology employed for this ranking focused on evaluating the allocation of resources to individual students. Schools with smaller class sizes and concentrated entrepreneurial resources were given preferential treatment. This approach ensured that students at these institutions received the necessary support and attention to nurture their entrepreneurial ambitions.

While this year’s ranking saw Olin Business School emerge victorious once again, other prominent MBA programs like Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School were not featured. This was due to their non-submission of data directly to Poets&Quants, which deprived them of a ranking this year.

ESMT Berlin, a newcomer to the ranking, showcased its unique attributes that set it apart from the competition. The international perspective it offers, through its access to Berlin’s startup ecosystem and entrepreneurship hub VALI Berlin, combined with its faculty’s strong expertise, made it a formidable contender in the entrepreneurship education landscape.

These rankings serve as a valuable resource for prospective MBA students interested in entrepreneurship. They provide insights into the most esteemed institutions and the advantages they offer in terms of resources, faculty, and class sizes. Olin Business School’s consistent dominance in this ranking underscores its dedication to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and highlights the opportunities it presents for aspiring business leaders.