This dissertation is a qualitative study includes documents analysis and interviews. The study focus is applying entrepreneurial theory to funding public higher education in the U.S. The critical portion of the dissertation focuses on the best practices they have implemented to practice academic entrepreneurialism. The literature review takes a deep dive into academic entrepreneurism practices and entrepreneurship theory, summarizes traditional funding sources for public 4-year institutions in the U.S. The tradition funding sources reviewed are tuition, state appropriations, federal funding, auxiliary services, and research. Lastly the review discusses the privatization of higher education and the best practices of entrepreneurial universities. A qualitative study was conducted of three institutions who share an entrepreneurial designation by peer organizations. The study was completed with a document analysis and interviews to garner best practices of entrepreneurial institutions. The study found the following factors can influence a universities ability to be entrepreneurial: history, culture, leadership, shared governance, budget model, the amount of support units and staff, the strategic plan, data to inform decision making and the ability to communicate with all stakeholders. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]