The University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business has been ranked No. 1 in the West for undergraduate entrepreneurship in the Princeton Review's 2027 list, according to prior reporting by Techbuzz News. This regional leadership follows consistent national recognition from U.S. News & World Report, which has previously ranked the school's undergraduate entrepreneurship program No. 8 overall and No. 5 among public schools.
Collaborative Educational Programs
The school's entrepreneurship programs are a collaborative effort between the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy and the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. This partnership provides a wide range of resources, including grants, workshops, elective courses, and a unique graduate program. Students can engage with these opportunities through various formats, such as the Lassonde Founders program, which is a residential community for incoming students who are active entrepreneurs.
Graduate and MBA Success
In addition to its undergraduate success, the Eccles School has secured high rankings for its graduate studies. The Princeton Review ranked the university No. 2 in the West for graduate entrepreneurship for 2027, placing it No. 8 overall. Furthermore, U.S. News & World Report ranked the school's MBA program No. 16 for entrepreneurship overall and No. 5 among public schools. In separate 2026 MBA rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the program was ranked No. 10 overall and No. 3 among public schools.
Innovation and Living Spaces
A central component of the university's entrepreneurship ecosystem is the Lassonde Studios, a five-story facility that serves as both an innovation space and student housing. The building features an innovation space on the first floor and dorm space on the upper levels, allowing students to "live, create, launch." The facility has received recognition from publications such as The New York Times, Architectural Digest, and Fast Company.
The Master of Business Creation
The Master of Business Creation (MBC) program serves as a specialized graduate degree designed for founders committed to growing their startups. Launched in 2019, the program functions as both a business accelerator and a graduate degree. It offers two formats for students living in the U.S.: an in-person, full-time, two-semester option and an online, flexible, three-semester option. The program expanded in 2023 to offer an online option and in 2024 to enroll its first global cohort in Africa.
Alumni and Student Support
The university's commitment to entrepreneurship extends to its alumni through the Lassonde for Life program, which was launched in 2022. This program is open to all University of Utah graduates, regardless of their major or college, and offers activities to help them explore entrepreneurship and grow business ideas. Additionally, the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute provides various supports including workshops, mentoring, makerspace access, and startup support to help students bring their ideas to life.
Eccles School Background
The David Eccles School of Business, founded in 1917, educates more than 6,000 students annually and offers various academic tracks, including nine undergraduate majors and eight specialized master's programs. The school's entrepreneurship initiatives are supported by a strong regional economy in Salt Lake City, which is known for fostering startups and entrepreneurs.
Leadership Perspectives
Kurt Dirks, dean of the David Eccles School of Business, stated that the school aspires for all students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset through classes, degrees, or experiential opportunities. Bill Hesterly, chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy, noted that the faculty is constantly innovating new methods to teach essential entrepreneurship skills and strategy to students across the university.
