In 2024, Washington University in St. Louis continues to shine as a beacon of entrepreneurial excellence. The institution has garnered significant recognition, securing a place among the top five entrepreneurial universities for undergraduate programs (#5) and achieving an impressive #4 spot for graduate programs. This achievement reflects the university’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among its students.

“Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of innovation, thriving on the synergy of diverse minds and disciplines. As the university-wide hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, the Skandalaris Center fosters a collaborative environment where anyone—from founders to the entrepreneurially intrigued—can integrate their unique ideas, perspectives, and talents to create impactful solutions for the future,” said II Luscri, Assistant Vice Provost for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Managing Director of the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

The entrepreneurial offerings at WashU are both diverse and expansive, with an array of courses and extracurricular activities designed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit within students at all levels. Across the Danforth Campus, 50+ courses with a primary focus on entrepreneurship are available, offering students rich opportunities to immerse themselves in innovative thinking and practice. 

“We saw 119 ventures enter our Skandalaris Venture Competition this fall, demonstrating the appetite of the WashU community for ideation, innovation, and collaboration,” Luscri shared. “Rankings by The Princeton Review and other publications are incredibly important. Prospective and current students pay attention, and they are inspired to come here ready to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship from day one.”

The Skandalaris Center appreciates our many colleagues and campus partners who are essential to cultivating an interdisciplinary and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Whether students elect to take innovative courses, participate in entrepreneurial-focused events and activities, or a combination of both, they are well supported by the vast village of WashU resources. 

As WashU celebrates the success of its entrepreneurial programs, it remains dedicated to providing exceptional opportunities for students to innovate, collaborate, and transform their ideas into reality. The Skandalaris Center is proud to foster an environment where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives. 

These remarkable accomplishments are highlighted through The Princeton Review rankings, which are based on a comprehensive analysis of data collected from nearly 300 institutions offering entrepreneurial studies at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The rankings are derived from over 40 data points, reflecting the depth and breadth of the university’s commitment to entrepreneurial education. For more information on the methodology behind The Princeton Review rankings, please visit their official website.