The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation has once again earned national recognition by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur.com, securing the No. 3 spot in the Midwest and No. 8 in the U.S.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that MSU has been recognized as a leader in entrepreneurship education and the first time the university has broken into the top 10 nationally. This ranking recognizes MSU’s continued leadership in fostering student innovation and preparing entrepreneurs for real-world success.
“Our entrepreneurship ecosystem isn’t confined to one college or one kind of student. Students from every discipline come together to build and push ideas forward,” said Ken Szymusiak, managing director of operations for the Burgess Institute. “That collaborative energy is what continues to set MSU apart.”
Since its founding in 2012, the Burgess Institute has served as a launchpad for Spartans eager to turn ideas into impact. Today, its ecosystem spans every college and discipline, providing experiential learning through the Minor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Venture Creation program that equip Spartans with the mindset, experience, and community to create meaningful change.
The Minor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation unites students from more than 150 majors to learn, collaborate and build what’s next through more than 40 courses infused with entrepreneurial thinking. Beyond the classroom, the Venture Creation program empowers 700 student entrepreneurs annually to identify opportunities, validate ideas, and develop market-ready ventures.
Paul Jaques, managing director of venture creation at the Institute, shared, “Being ranked among the nation’s top 10 highlights how MSU is shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs. This recognition celebrates the incredible work of our students every day.”
To date, more than 3,000 Spartan entrepreneurs have ventured with the Burgess Institute, launching over 2,500 startups and securing more than $385 million in follow-on funding. Nearly one in ten Burgess-supported companies remain in business a decade after launching—a true testament to the enduring impact of Spartan entrepreneurship.
“The rise in the rankings acknowledges our investment in new programs and new partnerships, and our focus on empowering the next generation of Spartan innovators,” said Laurel Ofstein, senior director of the Burgess Institute. “We are constantly evolving because our students and involved alumni keep pushing what’s possible.”
The Princeton Review rankings evaluate universities based on academic offerings, faculty engagement, student experiences, and alumni success. MSU’s rise to the top 10 reflects not only the strength of its programs, but also the entrepreneurial spirit of its students and the growing impact they’re making across Michigan and beyond.