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Billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos owe their success to prestigious universities, shaping their paths through innovation and education.
Check World’s richest people and universities they graduated from.
Billionaires wield significant economic influence and have the ability to shape industries, markets, and even global trends. Their wealth grants them the capacity not only to accumulate assets but also to diversify them across various sectors, creating lasting legacies of business innovation and philanthropic impact. According to The Indian Express, the much-anticipated release of Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List for 2025 has captured widespread attention, with Elon Musk once again leading the rankings.
Here is a list of billionaires and the renowned universities that helped shape their path to success:
Elon Musk (Net Worth: $400 Billion)
Tesla’s visionary CEO, Elon Musk, began his academic journey at Queen’s University in Canada before moving to the United States to further his studies in business and physics at the University of Pennsylvania. He later attended Stanford University in California, intending to pursue a PhD in energy physics, although he ultimately left after just two days to focus on entrepreneurial ventures.
In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, the University of Pennsylvania is placed 11th, while Stanford University holds 6th position globally.
Jeff Bezos (Net Worth: $239.4 Billion)
Jeff Bezos, the founder and executive chairman of Amazon, completed his undergraduate studies at Princeton University, where he earned degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. This prestigious Ivy League institution played a key role in shaping his analytical mindset and technological expertise, both of which were pivotal in the creation and growth of Amazon. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, Princeton University holds the 22nd spot, reaffirming its status as a global leader in education and innovation.
Mark Zuckerberg (Net Worth: $211.8 Billion)
Mark Zuckerberg initially enrolled at Harvard University, though he ultimately chose to leave before graduating. During his time there, he earned several prestigious awards in subjects such as mathematics, astronomy, physics, and classical studies. Ranked 4th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, Harvard continues to be regarded as one of the world’s leading academic institutions.
Larry Ellison (Net Worth: $204.6 Billion)
Larry Ellison, the chairman, chief technology officer, and co-founder of Oracle, is a notable example of success without a traditional academic path. He left two universities—the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois—before earning his degree. Despite this, Ellison’s entrepreneurial journey led him to create one of the most influential tech companies in the world. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, the University of Chicago is ranked 21st, while the University of Illinois is placed at 69th.
Bernard Arnault & Family (Net Worth: $181.3 Billion)
Bernard Arnault, the mastermind behind the LVMH conglomerate, which includes luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Sephora, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from École Polytechnique in Paris. This prestigious institution is renowned for its rigorous academic programmes and is ranked 34th in the QS World University Rankings. Arnault’s education, combined with his business acumen, played a key role in his rise to the top of the global luxury market.
Larry Page (Net Worth: $161.4 Billion)
Larry Page completed his undergraduate degree in computer engineering at the University of Michigan and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from Stanford University. The University of Michigan is ranked 44th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.
Sergey Brin (Net Worth: $150 Billion)
Sergey Brin graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, earning an honours degree in mathematics and computer science. The university is ranked 218th in the QS World University Rankings.
Warren Buffett (Net Worth: $146.2 Billion)
Warren Buffett pursued business studies at the University of Nebraska before continuing his education in economics at Columbia University. The University of Nebraska is ranked between 701 and 710, while Columbia University holds the 34th spot in the QS World University Rankings.
Steve Ballmer (Net Worth: $126 Billion)
Steve Ballmer completed his studies in applied mathematics and economics at Harvard University before earning a degree in business administration and management from Stanford University.
Jensen Huang (Net Worth: $120.2 Billion)
The founder and CEO of NVIDIA, Jensen Huang, pursued higher education in electrical engineering at both Oregon State University and Stanford University. Oregon State University is ranked within the 641-650 range in the QS World University Rankings.
