<p>In today’s competitive job market, the allure of self-employment is driving increased student enrollment in entrepreneurship programs. However, a clear understanding of the entrepreneurial readiness profiles that students possess upon entering these programs remains elusive, making it difficult for educators to assess starting points, evaluate progress, or design tailored interventions. While existing research often emphasizes entrepreneurial intentions, the broader and more comprehensive construct of entrepreneurial readiness has been largely overlooked. To address this gap, our study synthesizes existing entrepreneurial constructs, intentions, potential, interest, and identity to conceptualize entrepreneurial readiness. Using data from 177 Caribbean undergraduate students enrolled in entrepreneurship programs, latent profile analysis was employed to identify the existence of heterogeneity in entrepreneurial readiness, which resulted in the identification of three distinct latent readiness profiles; seasoned visionaries, enterprising explorers, and emerging entrepreneurs. Further the inter-latent profile analysis showed covariate distribution differences among latent profiles, based on demographic factors, psychological drivers, and experiential background, highlighting how these variables influence the entrepreneurial readiness and characteristics of each profile. By recognizing the distinct characteristics of each profile, educators can better support students’ entrepreneurial journeys, fostering skills and mindsets that align with their readiness levels. This work is essential reading for educators, policymakers, and program designers seeking to bridge gaps in entrepreneurial education and better prepare students for self-employment and innovation-driven careers.</p>