Princeton Review ranks Auburn among top schools for entrepreneurship

The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine have once again named the undergraduate entrepreneurship studies program at Auburn University as one of the best in the country, continuing a national media trend recognizing business education opportunities at Auburn’s Harbert College of Business.

Auburn was ranked #22 among public U.S. universities, #1 in the state, #2 in the Southeastern Conference, #9 among universities in the South region and #41 among all entrepreneurship programs in the nation.

“The Princeton Review tallied the rankings for 2026 based on a survey the company conducted in summer 2025 of administrators at nearly 300 schools in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe offering entrepreneurship studies,” the report said.

The methodology for the rankings considered more than 40 data points from the survey findings, including information about the school's academic offerings, faculty credentials, experiential learning and mentorship opportunities, alumni entrepreneurship ventures, and other subjects.

“The colleges and universities that made our lists for 2026 are truly exceptional,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review's editor-in-chief. “Their entrepreneurship studies programs have robust experiential components. Their faculties are outstanding. Their students have access to extraordinary mentors and networking contacts that will serve them well into their careers.

“We strongly recommend these schools to students aspiring to become entrepreneurs.” 

Auburn’s program was included in the rankings for the first time a year ago on the 2025 slate, and it moved up two positions on the 2026 list.

Entrepreneurship thrives at Auburn

Joshua Sahib, director of The Lowder Center for Entrepreneurship and an instructor of management and entrepreneurship courses, said the latest ranking is another signal of Auburn University’s growing national profile.

“Across the board, from business to first-year experience to innovation, Auburn is moving upward. For the Harbert College of Business, it highlights the strength of our programs and the quality of the experiences we offer our students,” he said. “Recognition from The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine reinforces that Auburn is becoming a destination for students who want to innovate and lead.”

Sahib attributed the rise from last year’s ranking to meaningful growth across several areas of the program.

“We expanded our entrepreneurship course offerings and strengthened cross-campus collaborations,” he said. “We also improved our reporting by capturing more complete data from alumni entrepreneurs, and we continue to see growth in international entrepreneurship efforts.

“These developments align with the college’s recent strategic-planning priorities, which emphasize innovation and an exceptional student experience. Together, they demonstrate the depth and reach of Auburn’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Several options are offered

The Lowder Center provides a variety of programs offered to students and community members considering some form of entrepreneurship, and most of the educational opportunities are free and/or provide immediate cost-savings for participants. Harbert College

“Entrepreneurship thrives when students have access to support, resources and encouragement, and Auburn is creating an environment where that’s possible,” Sahib said.

The entrepreneurial ecosystem also includes Harbert College-sponsored pitch competitions, networking opportunities and an array of entrepreneurial services offered by Auburn University’s New Venture Accelerator.

Auburn’s ranking in The Princeton Review survey is the latest among other national media lists that name the Harbert College of Business as one of the best.

Sahib submitted Auburn’s information for the survey and credited Harbert colleagues Franz Lohrke and Scott McGlon for their contributions.

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Learn more about undergraduate entrepreneurship programs in the Harbert College of Business