The University of Maryland has once again proven its excellence in promoting student entrepreneurship, as evidenced by the 2025 rankings released by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine. In this latest ranking, UMD secured the 7th spot across all institutions, the 5th position among public universities, and the 17th place for graduate entrepreneurship education. Notably, the university claimed the top spot in the mid-Atlantic region for both undergraduate and graduate programs, marking its 10th consecutive year in the top 10.
Dean Chang, UMD’s chief innovation officer, attributed this consistent success to the university’s unique approach and unwavering commitment to empowering its 50,000 students, faculty, and staff as innovators in their respective fields. He emphasized the importance of making investments in innovation and entrepreneurship accessible across campus and fostering a collaborative ecosystem that promotes relationships and trust.
Unlike many entrepreneurship rankings that focus solely on a university’s business school, The Princeton Review’s evaluation considers the institution’s campus-wide entrepreneurship ecosystem. This comprehensive analysis takes into account various factors such as academic offerings, mentorship opportunities, competitions, programs, centers, and faculty support.
At UMD, nearly one in four undergraduates, totaling over 7,000 students across 82 majors, are enrolled in undergraduate entrepreneurship courses. These courses are taught by 51 faculty members representing 28 different departments. Moreover, the university offers a wide range of innovation-related courses covering topics like creativity, entrepreneurial mindset, social value creation, business models, and design thinking.
William Cohen, UMD’s associate provost and dean for undergraduate studies, highlighted how innovation and entrepreneurship are integral to the university’s academic experience. From interdisciplinary living-learning programs to specialized courses designed to stimulate creativity and critical thinking, UMD’s curriculum is geared towards inspiring students to become fearless thinkers and problem solvers.
UMD continues to launch new innovation and entrepreneurship programs, such as the xFoundry@UMD at the IDEA Factory, the university’s first venture capital fund, and the Mokhtarzada Computer Science Hatchery. These initiatives, introduced within the last two years, further enhance the university’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
In recognition of UMD’s decade-long presence in the top 10 of entrepreneurship rankings, the university reflected on 10 milestone moments in its history of innovation and entrepreneurship education. These milestones include receiving prestigious awards, establishing impactful programs, and creating opportunities for students to engage in entrepreneurial endeavors.
To explore more about UMD’s innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, interested individuals can visit the university’s Innovation Gateway at innovate.umd.edu. The platform serves as a hub for information on the various programs, resources, and opportunities available to students, faculty, and staff interested in pursuing entrepreneurship at UMD.
