What it is
Entrepreneurship is the study of starting, financing, and growing new ventures — turning ideas into businesses, whether a startup, a small business, or innovation inside a larger company. Its skills also transfer to any business role.
What you'll study
The major is applied and project-based:
- Year 1–2Business core, economics, and intro to entrepreneurship
- Year 2–3Opportunity recognition, business planning, startup finance, and marketing
- Year 3–4Product development, a venture project/pitch, and often an incubator experience
Concentrations & focus areas
- New Venture CreationStartups
- Small Business ManagementRunning a business
- Social EntrepreneurshipMission ventures
- Innovation / Corporate VenturingInside companies
- Startup Finance / FundingCapital
- Family BusinessSuccession
Skills you'll build
- InitiativeMaking things happen
- Business planningTurning ideas to plans
- Sales & persuasionSelling the vision
- ResilienceHandling setbacks
- Creative problem-solvingBuilding
Careers & job titles
- Founder / entrepreneurBuilding a business
- Startup rolesEarly-stage companies
- Small-business owner / managerRunning a business
- Innovation / product rolesCorporate venturing
- Business developmentGrowth
- Consultant / advisorAdvising ventures
Job outlook & demand
Outcomes vary enormously — some graduates build high-growth companies, others run small businesses, and many apply the skills in business development, product, and innovation roles. The related management group has a BLS median of $122,090.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Earnings vary by venture success. Entrepreneurship pairs well with a strong business foundation, and the skills transfer to well-paid management (~$122,090 group), sales, and product roles even if a venture doesn't take off.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's is the standard entry; a master's (often an MBA) accelerates advancement into management and leadership.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you like working with people and organizations, are practical and results-oriented, and want a flexible degree with clear advancement.
Edge: business rewards internships, analytics skills, and a concentration — and the MBA is a well-worn path to leadership.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusStarting, funding & growing ventures
- StudyOpportunity, planning, startup finance, product
- PathsFounder, startup roles, small business, innovation
- OutcomesVary widely by venture
- BaseRelated mgmt roles ~$122,090 (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: