Top Colleges for Business + Tech

If you're a high school student looking to pursue a career that combines cutting-edge technology with business and entrepreneurship, you're not alone—this is one of the fastest-growing and most competitive interdisciplinary fields in higher education. The best universities don’t just offer strong business and engineering programs; they provide hands-on startup incubators, venture funding, mentorship from industry leaders, and courses that blend product development with market strategy. Below is a list of the Top 10 universities that give future tech entrepreneurs the resources, connections, and skills they need to turn innovative ideas into successful businesses.

#1 Stanford

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford offers unparalleled access to venture capital, a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, and top-tier programs in both business (GSB) and engineering (SoE). The Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP), StartX accelerator, and interdisciplinary Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) give students hands-on experience in launching and scaling tech startups. Example: students can major in Science, Technology & Society (STS) with a focus on Innovation & Organizations, allowing them to combine coursework in AI, business strategy, and startup development while collaborating with peers at the d.school.

#2 MIT

With its cutting-edge research in AI, robotics, and data science, plus the world-renowned Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship, MIT fosters tech-driven innovation. MIT's Sandbox Innovation Fund, the Legatum Center for Development & Entrepreneurship, and the MIT Media Lab offer incredible opportunities for students to test, fund, and commercialize their tech ideas. Plus all MIT students can enroll in the Sloan undergraduate business program sophomore year. Example: students can participate in StartMIT, a crash course in entrepreneurship where students meet industry leaders, develop startup ideas, and secure funding to build prototypes and launch ventures.

#3 UC Berkeley

Home to the Haas School of Business and a powerhouse in computer science and engineering, UC Berkeley provides access to top startups, incubators, and the Bay Area tech scene. Berkeley’s Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology, SkyDeck accelerator, and the AI Research Lab offer students early exposure to the latest in deep tech and AI-driven businesses. Students can apply to Haas directly out of high school, or after their freshman year on campus. Example: students can earn the Berkeley Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET) while taking part in the Challenge Lab course, where they develop and pitch startup ideas to Silicon Valley investors.

#4 Harvard

Harvard’s iLab, innovation-focused curriculum, and joint programs between Harvard Business School (graduate) and the School of Engineering (graduate) make it a prime destination for future tech entrepreneurs. Harvard’s Tech & Entrepreneurship Center, the Harvard Innovation Labs (including Launch Lab X), and joint programs like the MS/MBA in Engineering Sciences help students commercialize breakthrough innovations. Example: students can take ENG-SCI 100H: Technology & Innovation while participating in the Harvard College Innovation Challenge (i3), a competition that provides seed funding for student-led startups.

#5 UPenn

Wharton’s robust undergraduate business education paired with Penn Engineering’s tech prowess creates one of the strongest interdisciplinary programs for aspiring tech entrepreneurs. Penn’s Venture Lab, Pennovation Works startup incubator, and specialized programs like the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology (M&T) seamlessly integrate business and tech. Example: students can pursue Penn’s Integrated Product Design (IPD) minor, combining business, engineering, and design courses while prototyping real-world products through Pennovation.

#6 Carnegie Mellon

Known for its expertise in AI, software engineering, and cybersecurity, CMU’s Tepper School of Business and integrated tech programs make it a powerhouse for tech-driven business ventures. CMU’s new AI startup venture with NVIDIA is positioning Pittsburgh as a tech hub, while the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship and Project Olympus accelerator support student-led startups. Example: students can minor in Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology (IDeATe), bringing together artists and engineers to develop innovative design projects for commercial applications.

#7 U Michigan

Ross’s real-world, action-based learning and the College of Engineering’s innovative tech programs make Michigan an excellent hub for future tech founders. Michigan’s Desai Accelerator, Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, and the Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of Engineering provide strong support for student startups. Example: students can enroll in the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (ELP), where they receive mentorship, funding, and startup space to launch a tech business during their undergraduate years.

#8 Northwestern

Whether through the Kellogg Certificate Program for Undergraduates (CPU), the Entrepreneurship Minor, or the Segal Design Institute’s Design Innovation Certificate, Northwestern students can gain real-world experience in product development, venture creation, and tech-driven business strategy. The Garage at Northwestern, a premier startup incubator, provides hands-on opportunities for students to launch their own companies, collaborate with mentors, and pitch to investors. Example: students majoring in CS with a Kellogg Certificate in Managerial Analytics can develop an AI-powered fintech platform, refine their business model through coursework, and secure early-stage funding through The Garage, setting them up for success as a tech entrepreneur or product manager.

#9 UT Austin

Offering top-ranked business analytics, CS, and strong connections to Austin’s booming startup scene, UT Austin is a rising leader in tech entrepreneurship. UT Austin’s Longhorn Startup Lab, Austin Technology Incubator, and the Forty Acres Founders program provide robust funding and mentorship for student-led tech ventures. Example: students can major in Technology Commercialization & Entrepreneurship while gaining real-world experience through Texas Venture Labs, which connects students with early-stage startups.

#10 Georgia Tech

As a leader in engineering and business with a focus on applied innovation, Georgia Tech fosters tech entrepreneurship through programs like CREATE-X and close ties to Atlanta’s growing tech sector. Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), VentureLab, and AI-focused research centers make it one of the best places to launch a deep-tech startup. Example: students can earn the Startup Launch Certificate through CREATE-X, a program that provides seed funding, mentorship, and accelerator support for students launching real-world startups.

Honorable Mention…

There are a number of other leading universities that are also particularly suited for blending tech innovation with entrepreneurship. In most cases, these universities have both a strong undergraduate engineering school and an undergraduate business school. These include: #11 Duke (no undergrad business), #12 Cornell, #13 USC, #14 NYU, #15 Purdue, #16 UIUC, #17 BU, #18 U Washington-Seattle, #19 Rice, #20 Indiana University.