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Top 10 universities attended by the world’s richest people

14 hours ago 25

Education has long been regarded as a key stepping stone to success, and for many of the world’s wealthiest individuals, attending a prestigious university played a crucial role in shaping their careers.

These institutions not only provided them with academic knowledge but also connected them to influential networks, cutting-edge research, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Whether through business schools, engineering programs, or exposure to groundbreaking technology, these universities helped forge some of the most successful minds in modern history.

While not all billionaires completed their degrees, many attended renowned universities that fostered their ambitions. Some leveraged their education to build business empires, while others dropped out to pursue world-changing ideas.

According to the Times of India, Here are the top 10 universities attended by the world’s richest people

1. University of Pennsylvania – Elon Musk

An Ivy League institution, the University of Pennsylvania is synonymous with producing trailblasers in both business and technology. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), attended Penn, where he earned dual degrees in Physics and Economics. Penn is especially known for its Wharton School of Business, which is renowned for nurturing future entrepreneurs and business leaders. Wharton’s rigorous curriculum and robust entrepreneurial ecosystem provided Musk with the intellectual and strategic tools that helped launch his ambitious ventures. His success story highlights the significance of blending technology with business acumen—something that Penn excels at fostering.

2. Princeton University – Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the wealthiest people in the world, studied Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Princeton University. The university’s academic environment, known for its intellectual rigor and focus on innovation, played a pivotal role in shaping Bezos’ entrepreneurial mindset. Princeton’s emphasis on research and technology contributed significantly to Bezos’ vision for the future of e-commerce, cloud computing, and space exploration through his company Blue Origin. The intellectual challenge at Princeton, combined with Bezos’ relentless drive, helped spark the innovations that transformed the way we shop, consume media, and use technology.

3. University of Chicago – Larry Ellison

The University of Chicago is renowned for its emphasis on critical thinking, economics, and cutting-edge research. Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, attended the University of Chicago, although he dropped out before completing his degree. Nevertheless, the university’s rigorous academic environment likely shaped Ellison’s approach to business, particularly his deep understanding of technology and its potential to disrupt industries. Oracle’s impact on enterprise software and cloud computing is a testament to how this university helped foster entrepreneurial minds who are not afraid to challenge the status quo.

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4. Harvard University – Mark Zuckerberg

Harvard University is synonymous with excellence and innovation, and it has produced a remarkable number of successful entrepreneurs. Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook (now Meta), famously dropped out of Harvard to focus on his startup, changing the course of social media and communication in the process. Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, graduated from Harvard with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics. Harvard’s focus on research, leadership, and global impact has made it a breeding ground for some of the most influential minds in business, technology, and beyond. The fact that two billionaires with very different career paths came out of Harvard speaks volumes about the university’s broad-reaching influence.

5. École Polytechnique in Paris – Bernard Arnault

Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH and one of the most influential figures in the luxury goods industry, attended École Polytechnique in Paris. Known for its highly selective admissions and world-class engineering programs, École Polytechnique has educated some of the brightest minds in Europe. Arnault’s engineering background, combined with his sharp business acumen, allowed him to build LVMH into a global luxury empire. His education at École Polytechnique helped him develop the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the competitive world of fashion, art, and high-end goods, contributing to his long-standing position as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals.

6. University of Michigan – Larry Page

The University of Michigan boasts one of the top engineering programs in the world. Larry Page, co-founder of Google, earned his undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from this prestigious institution. The university’s innovative approach to education and emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration played a crucial role in shaping Page’s vision for the future of technology. Michigan’s engineering program provided Page with the technical expertise he needed to co-create Google, a company that revolutionised the way we search for and interact with information on the internet.

7. University of Maryland – Sergey Brin

Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, studied Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Maryland. The university’s commitment to research and innovation helped lay the foundation for Brin’s groundbreaking work in search algorithms and artificial intelligence. As an undergrad, Brin honed his skills in problem-solving and computational theory, knowledge that was instrumental in the creation of Google’s search engine. The university’s strong emphasis on technology and entrepreneurship provided Brin with the ideal environment to foster the creativity that led to one of the most impactful tech companies in history.

8. University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned his undergraduate degree. Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett’s time at the university helped shape his early interest in business and investing. His education at Nebraska-Lincoln fostered an analytical mindset that would later guide him in making some of the most successful investment decisions in history. Buffett’s humble beginnings at a state school demonstrate that exceptional success doesn’t always require attending the most well-known Ivy League institutions.

9. Harvard University – Steve Ballmer

Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft and owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, is another notable Harvard alumnus. Ballmer’s experience at Harvard was pivotal, not only in shaping his understanding of business but also in introducing him to Bill Gates. Their collaboration at Microsoft ultimately helped build one of the most successful tech companies in the world. Harvard’s diverse academic community and global network provided Ballmer with the resources and relationships that would prove invaluable in the growth of Microsoft and his later ventures.

10. Oregon State University – Jensen Huang

Jensen Huang, the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA, attended Oregon State University, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. The university’s hands-on approach to engineering education played a key role in shaping Huang’s expertise in graphics processing and artificial intelligence. NVIDIA’s innovations in GPU technology revolutionised gaming, artificial intelligence, and data centers. Huang’s education at Oregon State helped him develop the technical skills necessary to lead a company that continues to drive advances in one of the most important sectors of the tech industry.

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