Two Dayton-area colleges hailed for entrepreneurial resources

David Darst, managing director and chief investment strategist for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, spoke in 2012 at the University of Dayton R.I.S.E. Forum, held at UD Arena. Each year, the UD event brings in top national business leaders to discuss economics and the international business landscape. CHRIS STEWART/STAFF

David Darst, managing director and chief investment strategist for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, spoke in 2012 at the University of Dayton R.I.S.E. Forum, held at UD Arena. Each year, the UD event brings in top national business leaders to discuss economics and the international business landscape. CHRIS STEWART/STAFF

Two Dayton-area universities are among the 50 best U.S. colleges for entrepreneurs-to-be, according to a new ranking.

The University of Dayton (ranked at No. 38), Miami University (No. 39) and Ohio State University (No. 44) were highlighted on the “top 50 colleges for aspiring entrepreneurs” list released Thursday by lendedu.com, a web site that describes itself as a “marketplace for student loans and student loan refinance.”

The ranking says UD offers "18 courses to its students focused on entrepreneurship."

The site says UD students can participate in Flyer Pitch, venture creation competition, for a $45,000 top prize.

RELATED: Dayton to bring in top Silicon Valley venture capitalist this week.

“The L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership also has a Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization Club that meets five times a year,” the ranking adds in its citation on UD. “The club hosts visiting entrepreneurs to talk about start-up and development issues. The members also visit the local incubator as well as visits to local entrepreneurial companies.”

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The ranking says Miami University offers students its Altman Summer Internship program as well as a Joint Accountancy and Entrepreneurship Winter Term program giving students a chance to study abroad.

The site said it gauged entrepreneurial courses available to students, average tuition and fees, as well as entrepreneurial “resources.”

“This study does not necessarily look at the school’s entrepreneurship major, rather the opportunities that are available for those interested in entrepreneurship in general,” the site said.

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