Middle Tennessee State University’s increasingly popular entrepreneurship program not only prepares students for the possibility of becoming their own bosses after graduation, but does so at a very affordable cost, according to a recently released national ranking.

University HQ, an independent online resource for prospective higher education students, ranked MTSU 35th nationwide in its ranking of the Top 50 Most Affordable Entrepreneurship Programs for 2024.

Students in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business who major in Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Department of Management can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration upon successful completion of program requirements.

Led by management professor Josh Aaron, holder of the Pam Wright Chair in Entrepreneurship, the program continues to show steady growth as students recognize the many opportunities in today’s economy to take an entrepreneurial path. MTSU graduates from the program earn an average salary of $66,000 a year, according to the website.

“Our latest ranking reflects the good work of those around me. I am blessed to have a great team of faculty, staff and contributors to help grow and improve our program and its reputation,” Aaron said. “The business community has rallied around the program and provided financial support but also invaluable advice to our budding entrepreneurs. We brought in a record 90 freshmen this fall and now have a record 218 total majors. Remaining a top 50 program on the University HQ list is another stamp of approval on all that has been accomplished in the past five years.”

Among key factors considered in forming the ranking were tuition, availability of online classes, loan default rate, and overall educational statistics such as retention and graduation rates. MTSU was the only Tennessee university or college whose entrepreneurship program made the listing. The top ranked college program for affordability City University of New York.

MTSU’s Department of Management offers undergraduate courses in management, human resource management, supply chain management, not-for-profit management, business administration, business innovation and entrepreneurship, and leadership.

The department also offers minors in management, entrepreneurship, leadership studies, not-for-profit management, and business administration. Graduate students in the Master of Science in Management program may choose from concentrations in organizational leadership or supply chain management.

Graduate students in the Master of Business Administration program may choose from several elective courses including human resources management and supply chain management.

For more information, email management@mtsu.edu or call 615-898-2736.

— Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)