Which billionaire does not have a degree?

Asked by: Hildegard Rutherford  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (54 votes)

Many billionaires, like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson, and Amancio Ortega, never completed a traditional college degree, dropping out to focus on their ventures, while others like Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller achieved immense wealth without even finishing high school, demonstrating that formal education isn't a prerequisite for massive financial success, with self-learning and real-world experience often taking precedence.

What billionaire never graduated high school?

Richard Branson dropped out of high school when he was only 16 after struggling with dyslexia. Soon after quitting school, Branson founded his first business, a student magazine, and eventually a mail-order record company. which later became the Virgin Records music label.

Who is the most successful person without a college degree?

Entrepreneurs without degrees

  • Matt Mullenweg. Though Matt Mullenweg left the University of Houston to work for CNET Networks, he founded WordPress, which runs about 35% of the internet today. ...
  • Mark Zuckerberg. ...
  • David Karp. ...
  • Richard Branson. ...
  • Bill Gates. ...
  • Steve Jobs. ...
  • Larry Ellison. ...
  • Walt Disney.

Which CEO has no degree?

Ritesh Agarwal – Founder & CEO, OYO

He founded OYO, which went on to become one of the world's largest hospitality chains. Ritesh's success highlights how Indian entrepreneurs can scale global businesses through innovation, execution, and bold decision-making—without waiting for degrees.

What billionaire was a dropout?

Bill Gates: $106 billion (£78.5bn)

The co-founder of the world's largest software company, Bill Gates left Harvard University to focus on building his Microsoft empire. Today, he's worth a mammoth $106 billion (£78.5bn) and previously held the title of world's richest person for 13 consecutive years.

The Most Successful People Explain Why a College Degree is USELESS

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Which billionaires didn't finish college?

Some billionaires who didn't go to college include Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg, who are all from the tech industry. Keep in mind that billionaire college dropouts are rare, and most billionaires are still more likely to have a degree than the average person.

Does Jay Z have a high school diploma?

He attended Eli Whitney High School and George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, both in Brooklyn, and then Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey. He did not graduate, dropping out during his sophomore year at Trenton Central High School.

Who is the richest person without education?

The most successful businessmen without degrees

  • Matt Mullenweg. ...
  • Mark Zuckerberg. ...
  • David Karp. ...
  • Pete Cashmore. ...
  • Daniel Ek. ...
  • Evan Williams. ...
  • Bill Gates. ...
  • Richard Branson.

Who makes the most money without a degree?

The highest-paying jobs without a bachelor's degree often fall into skilled trades, transportation, and specialized operations, with roles like Air Traffic Controllers, Commercial Pilots, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, and Elevator Installers frequently topping lists with median salaries well over $100k, requiring specialized training, certifications, or apprenticeships instead of a degree.
 

Is Mark Zuckerberg a college dropout?

Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard in his second year in order to complete the project. Zuckerberg, Moskovitz and the other co-founders moved to Palo Alto, California, where they leased a small house that served as an office. Over the summer, Zuckerberg met Peter Thiel, who invested in his company.

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, jobs paying over $400,000 without a college degree exist, with Walmart Store Managers being a prominent example due to increased bonuses and stock, while other high earners include roles in enterprise tech sales, commercial real estate, high-level trades (like nuclear operators, air traffic controllers), and self-made entrepreneurs/influencers, all relying on high skill, performance, and market demand, not just degrees, according to sources from Tallo and The Wall Street Journal. 

Does Leonardo DiCaprio have a college degree?

Leonardo DiCaprio

He only completed high school with the help of a tutor and never attended college. The A-lister has starred in hits including “Titanic,” “The Great Gatsby,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “The Revenant”—the last of which earned him his first Oscar after multiple nominations.

Who was a genius who didn't go to school?

There are many examples of geniuses who failed school or did not attend at all. For instance, Thomas Edison, one of the most prolific inventors to walk this earth, only had a few months of formal schooling. Similarly, Albert Einstein immersed himself in self-study, reading extensively about mathematics and physics.

Did Taylor Swift finish high school?

Yes, Taylor Swift graduated high school in 2008 from Aaron Academy, a homeschooling program, after starting at Hendersonville High School and completing her final years through homeschool to accommodate her rising music career, graduating a year early. She received her diploma via mail, balancing school with touring and achieving an excellent GPA.
 

Who was a genius without formal education?

Amos Tversky was a mathematical psychologist with no formal schooling in mathematics. James Croll, FRS, 19th-century Scottish scientist. George Smith, Assyriologist who discovered and deciphered the Gilgamesh epic in 1872, without any university or other higher education.

What famous person never went to college?

other famous people Who Didn't Go to College or not finish : Benjamin Franklin, inventor, scientist, inventor, diplomat, author, printer, publisher, politician, patriot, signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Can you make $100,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, earning $100,000 a year without a bachelor's degree is achievable through high-skilled trades, sales, IT, and specialized roles, often requiring certifications, extensive experience, apprenticeships, or bootcamps, with fields like elevator technicians, air traffic controllers, and sales managers being prime examples. While a degree isn't always mandatory, these paths prioritize hands-on skills, relevant training, and proven performance over traditional four-year education. 

Who makes $30 an hour without a degree?

Many skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, welders), tech roles (IT support, data analysts), healthcare support (PT assistants, sonographers), and logistics/transportation (truck drivers, distribution managers, air traffic controllers) offer $30/hour or more without a traditional degree, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training. Roles in sales (real estate), finance (loan officers, underwriters), and specialized services (elevator mechanics, home inspectors) also provide pathways to this wage. 

Which billionaire grew up poor?

Oprah Winfrey was born into a poor Mississippi family in 1954, but she's now worth $2.5 billion.

  • Oprah Winfrey grew up poor and went to college on a scholarship. ...
  • Forever 21 founder Do Won Chang worked as a janitor before he hit it big.

Which billionaire never went to college?

Here are a few examples: 1. Richard Branson: The founder of Virgin Group, a conglomerate of more than 400 companies, dropped out of high school at age 16 and never attended college. 2. Steve Jobs: The co-founder of Apple Inc.

What makes 90% of millionaires?

While the exact "90%" figure is often linked to real estate, most millionaires actually build wealth through a combination of ** consistent savings, smart investing (stocks, real estate), disciplined spending (avoiding debt, living below means), growing income via careers or business, and a mindset of control and financial literacy**, often starting early and focusing on long-term wealth building over flashy spending. Real estate is a significant contributor, but it's part of a broader financial discipline rather than the sole secret.
 

Does Beyonce have a degree?

Beyoncé, who shot to fame as a teenager as a member of Destiny's Child, got a high school diploma after intermittently attending two Houston schools and getting tutored on the road. And The-Dream's “Schoolin' Life” lyric playfully riffs on the fact that Beyoncé never went to college.

Who is richer, Jay-Z or Diddy?

Jay-Z is significantly richer than P. Diddy, consistently topping lists as the wealthiest rapper with a net worth around $2.5 billion, while Diddy's net worth, estimated around $400-$900 million in recent years, has faced fluctuations and recent legal challenges, placing him well behind Jay-Z's massive fortune built from diverse investments like Roc Nation, Armand de Brignac, and D'Ussé cognac. 

Does Rihanna have a high school diploma?

Rihanna decided not to finish high school when she signed a record deal with Def Jam at the age of 16.