U of A Entrepreneurship Grad Program Climbs to No. 20 in Princeton Review Rankings

The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has been ranked No. 20 by The Princeton Review in their list of the Top 50 Entrepreneurship Graduate Programs, rising two spots from last year's ranking of No. 22 and 15 spots in the past two years since making its debut on the list at No. 35 in 2023. The university was ranked among more than 400 institutions evaluated for the list. 

The graduate entrepreneurship program ranking reflects strong collaborative efforts spanning multiple colleges and units on campus, spearheaded by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Department of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Venture Innovation at the Walton College.

"This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and partners who have built a program centered on experiential learning and meaningful impact," said Brent Williams, dean of Walton College. "Our students benefit from a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Arkansas and strong cross-campus collaboration. This ranking validates our commitment to preparing the next generation of innovators and business leaders."

Phil Shellhammer, executive director of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, teaches the New Venture Development courses at the heart of the Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship program alongside David Hinton, associate vice chancellor for research and innovation. 

"Our program's strength comes from its hands-on approach and the partnerships we've built across campus and throughout the region," Shellhammer said. "Students don't just learn about entrepreneurship, they experience it through competitions, mentorship and access to resources that help them launch real ventures. This ranking reflects the collaborative ecosystem we've created to support student entrepreneurs." 

Program Highlights 

According to The Princeton Review, the rankings, established in 2006, evaluate institutions based on their academic offerings, experiential learning opportunities and career outcomes. 

The Princeton Review editorial team considered several factors when deciding rankings, including: 

• The core courses of the graduate program, New Venture Development I & II, which are integrated into multiple degree programs across campus.

• The ability to provide multiple resources for student-founded companies, such as the Heartland Challenge Startup Competition, Startup Village, the Entrepreneurial Law Project and the Student Business Incubator.  

• A track record of alumni ventures— in recent years, companies formed by students and alumni of the program have spanned healthcare, technology, consumer products and professional services. 

About the Sam M. Walton College of Business: Founded in 1926, the Sam M. Walton College of Business stands as one of the largest colleges at the University of Arkansas, serving over 10,300 students across undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs. The college holds AACSB accreditation and consistently ranks among the top business schools in the United States. Walton College ranks 25th for its undergraduate business program among public colleges in the U.S. News & World Report's 2025 national rankings. Its undergraduate supply chain management program is recognized as the top program in North America by Gartner. In 2024, The Princeton Review included Walton's M.B.A. program in its Best Business Schools list for On-Campus M.B.A. Programs. 

About the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a division of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio, Startup Village, and Greenhouse at the Bentonville Collaborative, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides free workshops and programs — including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions and startup coaching. OEI also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.