The University of Wisconsin’s entrepreneurship program ranks 16th among undergraduate schools and 11th among graduate schools, according to a report released by The Princeton Review.
Melissa Anderson, director of public relations for the Wisconsin School of Business, said the entrepreneurship program is an important one at UW because of the way the university strives to increase business and commerce throughout the state of Wisconsin as a public priority.
“These rankings play a role in perceptions of quality among perspective students as well,” Anderson said. “Whenever we can appear in a ranking like this, in such a positive light, it’s a boon for our programs and gives prospective students more reasons to apply.”
This is the first year both the undergraduate and graduate programs made the rankings list.
Last year, UW’s graduate program ranked 13th out of the 25 listed schools.
David Bunn, a representative on campus for The Princeton Review, said the rankings for Madison were fantastic and impressive for the university.
He also mentioned that UW-Whitewater had also been recognized for its entrepreneurial programs, particularly as a result of its online-based business classes.
“Both schools have seen a lot of success with their entrepreneurial and business programs and there have been many articles written about it,” Bunn said.
In a statement about the rankings, Michael Knetter, dean of the Wisconsin School of Business, said “Wisconsin is committed to being a vital partner in the success of individuals and companies across the state and the world and is dedicated to making our research discoveries relevant to the commercial world.”
He added the business school focuses on bringing students in contact with local companies to create opportunities for new ideas and future technologies.
Many of the entrepreneurial classes offered at UW are in the School of Business, according to Dan Olszewski, director of the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship. However, there are also many classes spread out in different schools and colleges.
With over 25 courses, most of the students learn and apply some of the basics of entrepreneurship and many students, after their graduation, will follow an entrepreneurial path.
“Some [graduates] go to work for big companies, some start their own businesses, others work hard but keep the dream alive and look for opportunities in their fields to continue to grow and follow an entrepreneurial path,” Olszewski said.
He went on to say there are lots of classes and activities available to all students, no matter what major.
Students have the opportunity to take advantage of speakers, internships, student organizations and competitions to broaden their educational experience.
“The rankings are great to see because we believe that there is a lot of really great training and entrepreneurial education that students from campus partake in,” Olszewski said. “This is recognition from the outside.”
