Rankings / MBA
Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship
- 41
- Schools
- $81,512
- Avg. Earnings
- 80%
- Avg. Graduation
- $25,706
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,940
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $53,770 at the low end to $123,938 at the top. That 2.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Michigan Technological University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $78,198 against $14,182 in annual tuition, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is University of Florida, at $13,237 annually in tuition.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, well above the 80% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Rice University: graduates owe only 0.12× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Cornell University ($104,043 earnings), not the highest earner, Babson College ($123,938). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. University of Florida ($13,237/yr) and University of Pennsylvania ($87,970/yr) produce graduates earning $71,588 and $111,371 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $74,733 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Michigan Technological University outperforms Babson College: similar career earnings at a much lower tuition.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the programs that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these programs, begin with Michigan Technological University and University of Pennsylvania. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $78K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- U.S. News & World Report. Best Business Schools MBA Rankings. Used for MBA program validation.
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Cornell University #1 overall | $104,043 ▲ +28% vs avg | $28,690 | 95% | 88 |
| 2 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus #2 overall | $102,772 ▲ +26% vs avg | $12,116 | 93% | 87 |
| 3 Rice University #3 overall | $89,718 ▲ +10% vs avg | $13,370 | 95% | 87 |
| $111,371 ▲ +37% vs avg | $28,699 | 97% | 87 | |
| $99,980 ▲ +23% vs avg | $26,780 | 96% | 87 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship
This analysis ranks 41 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $81,512 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 80% and an average net price of $25,706.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Florida — Net Price: $6,541 | Graduation Rate: 91%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Babson College — Median alumni earnings: $123,938
Our Analysis Found
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Management Education Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?
$78,257
Median earnings (10yr)
82%
Median graduation rate
$25,620
Median net price
2.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Management education makes a blunt promise: pay now, earn more later. Top-tier programs keep that promise through network effects and placement outcomes. Many others raise earnings barely enough to cover their cost. The spread in outcomes across programs is wider here than in almost any other discipline.
Start with the medians across these 41 programs. Graduates earn a median of $78,257 ten years after enrollment, or about $30,257 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 82%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $25,620 a year with about $22,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 21% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.0%.
In management education, network effects amplify everything. Graduates earn a median of $78,257 ten years after enrollment, and Cornell University leads the field. The gap between the top and the middle is wide enough that school selection may be the most consequential financial decision in this category.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Cornell University lands at #1 with a 88/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $104,043 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #2
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #2 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $102,772 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,116 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Rice University lands at #3 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $89,718 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
University of Pennsylvania lands at #4 with a 87/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of Notre Dame lands at #5 with a 87/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $99,980 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,780 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Washington University in St Louis lands at #6 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $86,182 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #7 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Brigham Young University lands at #8 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $75,790 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,564 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #9
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #9 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,698 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,953 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Santa Clara University lands at #10 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $109,183 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $50,062 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Florida lands at #11 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (76/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Lehigh University lands at #12 with a 83/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Boston University lands at #13 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $83,238 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Christian Brothers University lands at #14 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,478 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,854 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
New Jersey Institute of Technology lands at #15 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $84,276 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,504 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of Rochester lands at #16 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $79,042 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,278 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
The University of Texas at Dallas lands at #17 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $68,227 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,267 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Stevens Institute of Technology lands at #18 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $108,772 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,346 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Michigan Technological University lands at #19 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $78,198 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,182 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
University of Dayton lands at #20 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $75,537 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,533 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of Detroit Mercy lands at #21 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $71,030 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,232 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Marquette University lands at #22 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $78,257 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,487 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Milwaukee School of Engineering lands at #23 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $89,070 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,453 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Michigan State University lands at #24 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,253 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,680 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
University of Southern California lands at #25 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $92,498 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,740 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
West Virginia University lands at #26 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $55,939 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,634 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Case Western Reserve University lands at #27 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $87,989 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,190 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
University of Evansville lands at #28 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,770 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,499 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Western New England University lands at #29 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $73,157 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,290 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Clemson University lands at #30 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $71,513 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,253 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Brandeis University lands at #31 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $77,231 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $35,736 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Wentworth Institute of Technology lands at #32 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $82,721 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,170 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Babson College lands at #33 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $123,938 a decade after enrolling, 52% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,514 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Bradley University lands at #34 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $66,852 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,719 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Valparaiso University lands at #35 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $63,191 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,578 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Alfred University lands at #36 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $54,897 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,620 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Gonzaga University lands at #37 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $78,892 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $35,119 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
LeTourneau University lands at #38 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $57,103 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,185 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Rochester Institute of Technology lands at #39 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $76,571 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,906 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
University of Tulsa lands at #40 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $61,408 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,000 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
University of Denver lands at #41 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $71,155 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,131 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 41 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Management Analyst career guide →When considering an MBA program focused on entrepreneurship, students are looking for schools that not only teach business fundamentals but also foster innovation. These programs help future founders hone their skills and connect with like-minded peers who share their passion for building businesses. The average earnings for graduates across the top programs in this list is $82,462 — a figure that underscores the potential financial return on investment for students.
The best MBA programs for entrepreneurship stand out based on critical metrics like graduation rates, student debt, and post-graduate earnings. For example, schools like the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University show impressive graduation rates of 97% and 95%, respectively, while keeping debt levels relatively low. This balance of strong outcomes and manageable costs is essential for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to launch their careers.
Take Cornell University and the University of Florida, for instance. While Cornell graduates earn $104,043 on average, the University of Florida graduates earn $71,588. However, the financial picture is more complex when considering net price and debt. The University of Florida has a net price of $6,541, compared to Cornell's $28,690, highlighting a tradeoff between immediate costs and long-term earnings potential. This contrast reflects the diverse choices available to students as they consider their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 41 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2%. New Jersey Institute of Technology leads the group at 6.5%, with Stevens Institute of Technology (4.3%) and University of Southern California (3.9%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 4.6% of students start in the bottom income quintile. New Jersey Institute of Technology leads at 10.1%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 44.2% across this list. Babson College posts the highest success rate at 68.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.72 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Santa Clara University reaches 1.89, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
To understand the differences among these MBA programs, consider the stark contrast between CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and the University of Notre Dame. While Baruch graduates earn an average of $75,971, they face only about $11,512 in debt. In contrast, Notre Dame graduates earn $99,980 but carry a heavier debt burden of $19,000. This data suggests that while Notre Dame may offer higher earnings, it comes with greater financial risk.
As you navigate these options, think carefully about your priorities. Are you willing to take on more debt for potentially higher earnings, or would you prefer a lower-cost program with a shorter debt timeline? Factors like location, program culture, and available resources should also weigh into your decision-making process. Visit campuses, talk to alumni, and understand how each program aligns with your personal and professional goals.
The path from college to a stable life is often shaped by the decisions we make about education. Investing in an MBA can provide valuable skills and networks, but the right choice is personal and unique to each family. Weighing the data against your own circumstances will be key in making a decision that sets you up for success.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship ranking? +
Cornell University in Ithaca, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $104,043 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 95% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which program has the highest graduate earnings? +
Babson College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $123,938 ten years after enrollment, well above the $81,512 average across the 41 ranked programs with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which program offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Michigan Technological University leads: graduates earn a median $78,198 against tuition of about $14,182 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 80% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does an MBA cost at these schools? +
Across the 26 programs with verified tuition, annual MBA tuition averages $46,872, ranging from about $13,237 a year at University of Florida to $87,970 at University of Pennsylvania. These are tuition figures pulled from official program pages (in-state where the school is public), not estimated net price.
How is the Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 41 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
U.S. News & World Report. Best Business Schools MBA Rankings. Used for MBA program validation. →
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