The University of Notre Dame has been named a top school for students aspiring to launch their own businesses. The Princeton Review, in partnership with Entrepreneur magazine, ranked the University at #14 on its list of the Top 50 Graduate Entrepreneurship programs for 2025. The University rose four spots from its #18 ranking the previous year.

The ranking, now in its 19th year, analyzes nearly 300 schools across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe. It considers more than 40 criteria related to each school’s programs, faculties, students, and alumni.

Notre Dame stood out in particular for its Engineering, Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Excellence Master's program (ESTEEM).

David Murphy, the executive director of student entrepreneurship in Notre Dame’s IDEA Center and the ESTEEM Graduate Program, said, “As the ESTEEM program enters its 16th year, we are thrilled to have the program recognized in its highest position yet on the Top 50 Graduate Entrepreneurship programs list. ESTEEM is truly distinctive for the way it empowers students, through entrepreneurship to ‘fix things that matter’ in support of Notre Dame’s mission to be a force for good in the world. We are grateful that our students, faculty, staff, and alumni are working every day to live out that mission all over the world. This ranking is a testament to their dedication and passion for creating impact at scale through the power of innovation and entrepreneurship..”

Developed through a collaboration of the Colleges of Science and Engineering, and Mendoza College of Business, ESTEEM is a highly experiential and intensive 11-month program. It is the flagship educational offering of Notre Dame’s IDEA Center. Through the IDEA Center, ESTEEM students receive support in launching new ventures—including technology de-risking, mentoring, prototyping, and office space—and can gain access to a $22 million venture fund supporting Notre Dame’s innovation ecosystem.

Michael Hildreth, vice president, associate provost, and dean of the Graduate School, added, “With its 11-month format and industry-sponsored capstone project, the ESTEEM program presents an innovative and diverse curriculum.. For students who have discovered a passion for leadership at the intersection of business, innovation, and societal impact, it is a one-of-a-kind opportunity. The new ranking is a testament both to ESTEEM and to Notre Dame’s record of taking groundbreaking discoveries and translating them into benefits for society.”

In addition to the ESTEEM program, the posted rankings article highlighted several key features of entrepreneurship at Notre Dame that led to the University’s inclusion on the list. These include Notre Dame’s excellent opportunities for experiential learning and the record of success among graduates in starting new ventures that have a direct social impact. Also highlighted is Notre Dame’s global focus, including its 11 hubs in major cities worldwide, including Jerusalem, Beijing, and Mumbai.

The Princeton Review has posted its rankings here. This area on the company’s site also presents information about the methodology for the project and links to profiles of the ranked schools. Entrepreneur, The Princeton Review's publishing partner on this project since 2006, posted the rankings on its website. The magazine will publish a feature article on the rankings in its December issue.

To learn more about the ESTEEM program at the University of Notre Dame, visit the ESTEEM website.

About the IDEA Center:

The IDEA Center, which is part of Notre Dame Research, is the University of Notre Dame’s collaborative innovation hub dedicated to expanding the technological and societal impact of the University’s innovations. We do this by nurturing and facilitating the movement of the best ideas of faculty, staff, and students from discovery to commercial application. The Center provides the necessary space, services, and expertise for idea development, commercialization, business formation, prototyping, entrepreneurial education, and student entrepreneurial efforts. The Center is open to any University researcher and student with an idea they want to commercialize.

Contact:

Brett Beasley / Research Content Strategy Program Director

Notre Dame Research / University of Notre Dame

bbeasle1@nd.edu / +1 574-631-8183

research.nd.edu / @UNDResearch

Originally published by Brett Beasley at esteem.nd.edu on November 21, 2024.