Is Business School Worth It If I Already Run a Business?

You’ve already started your own business, so is business school really necessary? If you’re a high school entrepreneur, college is a big decision, and things like cost, time, and the value of a degree all factor into your thinking. The truth is, business school isn’t a requirement for success, but it can give you helpful tools, new connections, and more options down the road. In this article, we’ll break down what you can actually learn in business school and how it’s possible to keep your business going while getting a degree. 

What You Can Learn in Business School 

Being a teen entrepreneur means you’re juggling a lot—you’re the accountant, the sales director, the product creator, and even your own customer service rep. It’s a lot to manage, especially when you’re still figuring out career options. That’s where college can actually help. It gives you the chance to learn the how behind what you’re already doing in your business. 

Here are a few courses that can make a big difference: 

• Finance and Accounting: You’ll learn how to read balance sheets, manage cash flow, and understand taxes. It’s basically everything you need to make smart financial choices and audit your own business properly. 

• Marketing: These courses help you figure out your target audience, track ROI (return on investment), and use data to guide your decisions. Many businesses fail not because the product is bad, but because the marketing strategy wasn’t strong enough. 

• Leadership and Management: Through group projects and presentations, you’ll build skills to lead a team, hire people, and manage daily operations more effectively. 

Once you know the basics from these courses, it’s way easier to use them in the real world, especially if you’re already running your own business. 

Why Education Gives You Flexibility 

Even if your business doesn’t work out, having a college education gives you other options. You might decide to switch paths and go into something like finance or marketing, or you could even start a brand-new business with everything you’ve learned. 

If you stick with entrepreneurship, college can still help. The knowledge you gain can make it easier to take on bigger projects in the future, like investing, manufacturing, or expanding into new markets. 

Hands-On vs. In-Class: Can You Do Both? 

Yes, you definitely can succeed in school while also building your business. In fact, many colleges that focus on business also offer entrepreneurship programs, internships, and co-op opportunities. This means you can gain hands-on experience while earning school credit. A lot of universities also hold pitch competitions and provide funding for student-led startups. So, instead of just learning theories, you also get to apply what you’re learning in real situations. 

On top of that, being in college can actually give you a helpful support system. You can get advice from professors, bounce ideas off classmates, and even connect with mentors in the school community. There’s also the chance to meet potential co-founders, future employees, or even investors. With all those resources around you, it becomes easier—and way more motivating—to spend your evenings or weekends working on your business. 

The Networking You Can’t Always Get Elsewhere 

One of the biggest parts of college is that it pushes you to speak with new people, even if it feels awkward at first. Colleges often host career fairs and alumni meetups that introduce you to professionals across different industries, not just your own. These experiences can help you see new paths you might not have thought about. 

Networking isn’t just a nice bonus; it’s actually pretty important. About 80% of people say networking is key to building a successful career. College gives you a head start by putting you in situations where you can meet mentors, hear from guest lecturers, and talk to other students who have bold ideas. 

So, Is It Worth It? 

If you’re already running a business, you’re ahead of the game. But business school can still give you a lot of value. It can help you understand business on a deeper level, introduce you to professional connections, and open up new opportunities that can help you grow your business even more. 
 

Want to explore how college could support your journey? The Kantner Foundation scholarship helps Florida-based teen entrepreneurs like you pay for school. Apply today!