SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business ranks No. 5 among public schools (No. 16 overall) in the latest 2025 MBA rankings for entrepreneurship released by US News and World Report.
In related rankings released earlier from US News and World Report, the Eccles School ranked No. 5 among public schools (No. 8 overall) for undergraduate entrepreneurship for 2025.
The rankings reflect ongoing growth and impact of entrepreneurship offerings at the Eccles School through the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy and Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, an interdisciplinary division serving all students on campus. Opportunities for student entrepreneurs include unique courses, startup grants, scholarships, workshops, mentors, offices, makerspace and Lassonde Studios, a five-story hub for student entrepreneurs that features an innovation space on the first floor for all students and four floors of student housing above.
Beyond these programs and more to support student entrepreneurs at the University of Utah, students can also take advantage of a strong economy in the Salt Lake City region, which is known for fostering startups and entrepreneurs.
“Students at the University of Utah have an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship from experienced entrepreneurs and one of the most acclaimed groups of strategy and entrepreneur scholars in the world while also getting the opportunity to immediately apply these skills by starting a company or working for a startup in a great location for business,” said Bill Hesterly, chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy at the Eccles School. “The combination of leading scholars and experienced entrepreneurs creates an environment where students get the support they need inside and outside the classroom.”
Students in the MBA program at the Eccles School join a thriving campus entrepreneurship community fostered by program innovation.
One of many program innovations that illustrates the Eccles School’s reputation as a leader for entrepreneurship education is the Master of Business Creation (MBC) program. It is focused on helping a founder grow and scale their company. The MBC program expanded for 2023 to offer an online option and then expanded again in 2024 to enroll its first global cohort in Africa.
For undergraduates, the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute launched Lassonde+X program in 2019. This is an experience program for all undergraduate students to learn the entrepreneurial mindset. Lassonde Founders is another unique program for undergraduate entrepreneurs at the University of Utah. This is a residential entrepreneur community for incoming students who are active entrepreneurs.
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute also launched an alumni program, Lassonde for Life, in 2022. The program is open to all graduates of the University of Utah, regardless of degree, to receive lifelong support. Registering for the program is free of charge and offers workshops, networking opportunities, and more.
These programs and more provide students at the University of Utah with rich, hands-on learning opportunities, while also giving them the support and network they need to start or grow a business.
In addition to participating in programs, students at the Eccles School can apply for scholarships from the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute to manage entrepreneurship programs. These opportunities give students, including many in the MBA program, a meaningful learning opportunity by working with entrepreneurs and professionals on and off campus.
“The University of Utah offers unmatched support for student entrepreneurs who want to take what they are learning in class and apply it by starting a business, launching a product or service, joining a startup, or being a leader in our community,” said Scott Holley, the executive director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. “At the Lassonde Institute, we offer grants, scholarships, networking opportunities, and a lot more. We invite students from all majors to get involved, launch something, and learn by doing.”
Find the MBA entrepreneurship rankings on the US News website here: usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/entrepreneurship-rankings. Find all of the MBA rankings here: usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools.
Learn more about entrepreneuring at the Eccles School, where entrepreneur is a verb, here: eccles.utah.edu/entrepreneur.
About the David Eccles School of Business
At the Eccles School, students do more than earn a degree or learn business – they live the experience with hands-on immersive learning. This empowers students to graduate not only with a degree, but the real-world experience, the mindset, skills and confidence to succeed. Founded in 1917 and educating more than 6,000 students annually, the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah offers nine undergraduate majors, four MBA programs, eight specialized master’s programs, five Ph.D. academic tracks and an executive education program. The Eccles School is also home to more than 16 institutes, centers and initiatives, which create societal impact through academic research, applied knowledge, leadership and innovation. Learn more at eccles.utah.edu.
About the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute is a nationally ranked hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Utah and an interdisciplinary division of the David Eccles School of Business. The first programs were offered in 2001, through the vision and support of Pierre Lassonde, an alumnus of the Eccles School and successful mining entrepreneur. The institute now provides opportunities for thousands of students to learn about entrepreneurship and innovation. Programs include workshops, networking events, business-plan competitions, startup support, innovation programs, graduate seminars, scholarships, community outreach and more. All programs are open to students from any academic major or background. The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute also manages Lassonde Studios, a five-story innovation space and housing facility for all students. Learn more at lassonde.utah.edu.