Since the Entrepreneurship Center was founded more than 20 years ago, it has established itself as an exceptional choice to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree for would-be entrepreneurs.

The college undergraduate program is rigorous, and has received consistent Top 10 ratings nationally for its entrepreneurial curriculum.

The core of the program is its famous "spine-sweating" New Venture Creation course that serves as the capstone requirement for all students. In their last semester, each student must present a complete business plan to a panel of professionals during a three-day event. If the plan is deemed feasible, the student receives top marks and earns the right to graduate. If not, the student fails the course and cannot graduate that semester.

Before each student gets to that point, however, Ball State ensures that a combination of coursework and real-world experience will help foster a student's entrepreneurial skills. The college also has programs like the Nascent 500 and the Ascent to motivate and assist students toward becoming successful entrepreneurs. Since Ball State is located in Indiana, the Nascent 500 Business Plan Challenge is hosted at the Indianapolis Speedway, home of the Indy 500. Students enter to present their business plans against other students, and can win up to $10,000 and other prizes.

The Ascent is a national entrepreneur award program that effectively helps promote Ball State's spirit of entrepreneurship. All students are required to complete at least one internship before graduation to allow them a hands-on experience working directly in business. Ball State emphasizes the importance of developing business contacts while still in school, and tries to maintain that goal as part of its undergraduate experience.

Ball State also offers a traditional MBA program with an option to work towards a concentration in entrepreneurship.