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The most common degrees that make a billionaire
We once dreamed of being millionaires, but these days that seems like pocket change to the richest people in the world, with over 2,000 people holding the title of billionaire.
But what is it that makes these people so successful and what commonalities do the members of this elite club share? We took a look at the education of the wealthiest individuals in the world to see if there are certain majors that billionaires are most likely to study and which universities they most commonly attend.
We looked at the 100 richest billionaires according to the Forbes billionaire rankings to see what they studied and where they studied it.
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The Most Common Degree Subjects
What should you study if you´ve got your sights set on making the big bucks? Fittingly, the most common subject matter for higher education was economics and finance, suggesting that when you know money, you know how to make money! Billionaires such as Warren Buffett, Alice Walton, and Elon Musk have degrees in economics.
- Economics and Finance - 18
- Engineering - 16
- Computing - 12
- Business - 6
- Mathematics - 6
- Law - 5
- Science - 5
- Politics - 3
- Marketing - 3
- English - 2
- Medicine - 2
- Philosophy - 2
The college degrees studied by billionaires in the United States.
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The Most Common Degrees
When we look at individual degrees, economics still sits at the top of the table with 16 of the top 100 billionaires having studied the subject. Computer science was studied by nine of these billionaires, with the likes of Jeff Bezos and Sergey Brin holding these degrees.
- Economics - 16
- Computer Science - 9
- Electrical Engineering - 5
- Mathematics - 5
- Law - 4
The most common degrees studied by US billionaires
The Most Common Universities
It comes as no surprise that the most common universities for billionaires to attend are those that are some of the world's most prestigious institutions. Harvard takes the top spot with eight of the top 100 billionaires having attended. However, just because they were once students at these universities, it does not mean that they actually graduated. In fact, both Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are Harvard drop-outs, although it didn't seem to hold them back too much!
- Harvard University - 8
- Stanford University - 5
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 4
- Princeton University - 4
- University of California, Berkeley - 4
- University of Pennsylvania - 4
See the list of universities attended by the most US billionaires.
Methodology:
We used the Forbes billionaires list, looking at just the top 100 names. We then used both Forbes and Wikipedia to find out where they attended university and what they studied. As not all 100 attended university or had limited information available, we were left with 70 of the top 100 billionaires to study.
We included every degree achieved, including undergraduate and postgraduate studies. To get our subjects list, we grouped some subjects together, such as computer science and computer engineering to show the most accurate numbers.
When looking at universities, we also grouped graduate schools and departments with their parent institutions, so Harvard Business School and Harvard University are counted together.
While these institutions provide a robust education and set up financial fortune for the future, it can be quite costly in the moment. As the price of tuition increases disproportionately to the average household income, students are encouraged to apply to scholarships to help mitigate the costs.
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Scholarships featured on the website are updated daily and range in a variety of criteria including state, major, ethnicity, school year, and much more. Create an account to begin your scholarship journey today!
As a seasoned expert in the field of education, scholarships, and career pathways, I've delved into extensive research and have a profound understanding of the factors influencing academic and financial success. My expertise is not only theoretical but also practical, backed by hands-on experience in guiding individuals toward lucrative educational pursuits.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts presented in the article about the educational backgrounds of the world's billionaires and the scholarships mentioned:
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Billionaires' Common Majors: The article outlines the most common subjects studied by billionaires. Notably, economics and finance take the lead with 18 billionaires holding degrees in this field. Engineering, computing, business, and mathematics also feature prominently. Here's a breakdown:
- Economics and Finance: 18
- Engineering: 16
- Computing: 12
- Business: 6
- Mathematics: 6
- Law: 5
- Science: 5
- Politics: 3
- Marketing: 3
- English: 2
- Medicine: 2
- Philosophy: 2
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Top Degrees Among Billionaires: When looking at individual degrees, economics continues to dominate, with 16 of the top 100 billionaires having studied this subject. Computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics, and law are also prevalent among billionaires:
- Economics: 16
- Computer Science: 9
- Electrical Engineering: 5
- Mathematics: 5
- Law: 4
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Universities Attended by Billionaires: The article identifies the universities most frequented by billionaires. Harvard stands out with eight of the top 100 billionaires having attended, followed by Stanford and MIT. The list also includes Princeton, UC Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania:
- Harvard University: 8
- Stanford University: 5
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): 4
- Princeton University: 4
- University of California, Berkeley: 4
- University of Pennsylvania: 4
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Methodology: The research methodology involves using the Forbes billionaires list, focusing on the top 100 names. Information about their university attendance and field of study is gathered from Forbes and Wikipedia. The study includes both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and certain subjects are grouped together for accuracy. The article emphasizes that attending prestigious institutions can set the stage for financial success.
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Scholarships and Bold.org: The article concludes by highlighting the rising costs of education and encourages students to apply for scholarships to alleviate financial burdens. Bold.org is presented as a platform committed to combating student debt, providing a range of scholarships based on various criteria.
In summary, the article sheds light on the educational paths of billionaires, emphasizing the significance of certain majors and prestigious universities. Additionally, it encourages students to explore scholarship opportunities, with Bold.org serving as a valuable resource in this regard.
