Successful distance learners and entrepreneurs may be similar in that they seek out and capitalize on opportunities and marshal resources to achieve their goals. Further, entrepreneurial behavior is a vital asset in the rapidly changing global knowledge economy of the 21 st Century. This paper presents a theoretical framework for examining the characteristics of successful distance learners through the lens of entrepreneurship. The proposed theoretical framework suggests a relationship between the entrepreneurial personality, which is the combined score of locus of control, need for achievement and risk taking propensity, with success and persistence in the academic environment. We believe that the proposed framework of the entrepreneurial learner will add to our understanding of distance students. This framework also has the potential to impact instructors and administrators working in the area of distance education. [This paper is a contribution of the University of Nebraska College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Lincoln, NE 68583. Journal Series No. 05-03.]