Entrepreneurship Programs Highly Ranked by The Princeton Review

PROVO, Utah – Sep 25, 2012 – Brigham Young University's entrepreneurship students are among the most prepared for success in self-started businesses, reports The Princeton Review's survey for Entrepreneur magazine. BYU's Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology graduate and undergraduate programs came in a No. 3 and No. 6, respectively. This is the third straight year both programs have made it into the top 10, with the undergraduate program moving up one spot.

"We are very pleased that The Princeton Review has acknowledged the contributions that our students and faculty are making in the field of entrepreneurship," says Gary Cornia, dean of the Marriott School. "We are excited to have both programs ranked so high; it shows how good our students are and should help them as they establish their careers."

The Princeton Review surveys 2,000 institutions from across the United States to determine the nation's top programs. The rankings are based on a compilation of academic courses offered; entrepreneurial success of faculty and students; availability of experiential and cooperative learning experiences; and outside activities like clubs and competitions.

Scott Petersen, managing director of the Rollins Center, asserts that the center's forward-thinking programs give BYU students an edge.

"We base our program around world-class curriculum, significant campus events and networking opportunities," Petersen says. "The steps we've taken in building the infrastructure of our program have resulted in these top 10 rankings."

The Rollins Center offers several opportunities that cater to any entrepreneurially minded student, including its mentoring program as well as its various competitions. Now known as the Miller New Venture Challenge, BYU's business plan competition is the one of the largest singular university competitions. In addition, Petersen explains the Rollins Center mentoring program supports the competition by matching several seasoned entrepreneurs with each competing team.

The complete list of rankings is available in the October issue of Entrepreneur magazine. It also can be found at www.entrepreneur.com/topcolleges/honors.

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems and entrepreneurship. The school's mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.