- University of Utah ranked third among public schools for entrepreneurship in 2026.
- The Eccles School offers extensive resources for students to start and grow businesses.
- The U. expanded its Master of Business Creation program to Europe, with the first students set to be enrolled in August 2026.
SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business added another feather to its cap last week when it received the 10th spot in MBA rankings for entrepreneurship, according to a 2026 U.S. News and World Report ranking.
Additionally, the program's ranking places it third-best in the nation among public schools.
"Students at the University of Utah have the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship from leading experts and experienced founders, then they get to immediately apply those lessons by starting and growing businesses with help from many resources and opportunities outside the classroom," Bill Hesterly, chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Eccles School, said in a statement.
The latest ranking comes amid many entrepreneurship-forward decisions made by U. leadership.
In February, University of Utah leaders signed an agreement to host a federally run U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, providing intellectual property education, resources and expertise for students, entrepreneurs, businesses and communities across the Mountain West.
U. President Taylor Randall said the agreement reflects the university's "long-standing commitment to fostering a culture of innovation."
This partnership reflects the @UUtah's long-standing commitment to fostering a culture of innovation. Having @uspto on our campus will ensure our inventors have greater access to the tools and knowledge they need to protect ideas and bring new technologies to market. https://t.co/1ACzwtQFMO
— Taylor Randall, UofU President (@PresidentUofU) February 20, 2026
The latest rankings reflect the ongoing growth of entrepreneurship offerings at the Eccles School through the Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy and Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. The latter was launched in 2000 and has grown into a nationally ranked hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation as an interdisciplinary division of the Eccles School.
Following the institute was the construction of Lassonde Studios — a living and learning community, where students from any major or background can live while creating and launching their ideas. The five-story building at the center of campus hosts an innovation and event space on the first floor and dorm space on the upper levels.
In 2022, the institute launched "Lassonde for Life," a program open to all University of Utah graduates, regardless of degree, to provide lifelong business and entrepreneurial support.
In 2026 alone, the institute hosted a live filming of "Meet the Drapers," where a group of hopeful entrepreneurs took turns pitching their business ideas to venture capitalists and an audience.
The university's entrepreneurship efforts are striking a global chord, too.
Just before the start of the new year in December 2025, the university announced it would be expanding its Master of Business Creation program, which already operates from eastern Canada to Ghana and several other African nations, into Europe.
In August, the U.'s Master of Business Creation program will be available to graduate students in Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Additionally, students at the Eccles School can apply for scholarships from the Lassonde Institute to manage entrepreneurship programs. These opportunities give students, many of whom are enrolled in the MBA program, a meaningful learning opportunity by working with entrepreneurs and professionals on and off campus, according to a release from the U.
"We engage students from across campus and welcome them to get involved with entrepreneurship in many ways," said Scott Holley, the executive director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. "Students can launch companies, build products, join each other's teams, or live at Lassonde Studios. We have something for every student to see what it takes to create and run a business."
