Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Entrepreneurship

If you are looking for an associate’s degree that will encourage creativity, inspire you to take risks, and give you the chance to start your own business and, potentially, make a great living, then you might want to consider getting an entrepreneurship associate’s degree.

Why Get An Associate’s Degree In Entrepreneurship?

This quote sums it all up:

“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” -Entrepreneurship student, as quoted in Entrepreneur Magazine

As an entrepreneur, you’re only limited only by what you don’t know. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 50%-75% of businesses fail in their first five years. Why do so many tank? The number one reason is lack of knowledge and experience.

Getting your associate degree in entrepreneurship is a vital step to starting your own business. It will give you a competitive edge over many other business owners, and increase your chance of success over the long term.

What You’ll Learn In An Entrepreneurship Degree Program

Getting your associate’s degree in entrepreneurship means that you’ll be learning all about starting and managing a small business. This is no small feat, however. Most small businesses require financing of some sort, which means you must know how to write a business plan, apply for a small business loan, and then successfully manage hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more!).

Hard to believe that most people do this without any training, right? Well, going to school to learn how to do all this and more will definitely put you ahead of the pack.

Here is a sample list of some of the courses you might expect to see when getting your entrepreneurship associate degree:

Business Finance
Information Systems
Business Communications
Marketing for a Small Business
Customer Service Techniques
How to Write a Business Plan
Conducting Market Research

Careers As An Entrepreneur

It’s impossible to say what your career prospects are with an associate degree in entrepreneurship. You can start any kind of business in any kind of industry, so how much you earn largely depends on your location, how well you run your company, and what you’re selling.

Now, keep in mind that this is an average, but SimplyHired.com estimates that small business owners earn around $111,000. But, most entrepreneurs don’t even take a salary from their business for the first year or two. You definitely have to put in a lot of hard work and a lot of long hours in order to make your business succeed.

The Small Business Administration estimates that small businesses supply 75% of new jobs in this country, and make almost 41% of all new sales. Looking at those numbers, it’s easy to see why small businesses are so vital to this economy!

Getting your associate degree in entrepreneurship is going to help you prepare for the exciting prospect of starting and owning your own business (or, stepping into your family’s existing business). It’s hard work, no doubt about it, but nothing else can quite compare to working for yourself and making your own hours!

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information