Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Adulting

10 Successful Businessmen Without College Degrees

Despite what most might think, a university degree does not equate to success.

Jeremy Lyons

Feb 25, 2019

University of Delaware

2838

10 Successful Businessmen Without College Degrees

Wikimedia

Most people are brought up to believe that going to school, getting good grades, working really hard and getting a good job are the steps you need to take to become successful in today's world. Education certainly provides benefits towards your career, but it also isn't necessary all of the time. There are plenty of entrepreneurs who were college dropouts, but still managed to achieve a great deal. I have compiled a list of 10 very successful businessmen who achieved such immense greatness without earning a college degree.

1. Mark Zuckerberg

Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard in 2004 during his sophomore year to work on Facebook full-time. His net worth is estimated around $55.7 billion USD.

2. Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc bought McDonalds in 1961 for $2.7million and turned it into the multi-billion dollar company we know today. He had previously worked as a salesman and never even went to school. With a net worth of $600 million USD at the time of his death in 1984. That's the same as $1.4 billion USD after adjusting for inflation.

3. Evan Williams

Co-founder and former CEO of Twitter went to the University of Nebraska for only a year and a half before leaving to pursue a career in information systems. He is now worth $1.7 billion USD

4. Bill Gates

Billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard to focus on building his company. His net worth reaches $96.3 billion USD.

5. Steve Jobs

The late billionaire co-founder of Apple Inc. and Pixar dropped out of Reed College to start Apple after just 6 months. At the time of his death in 2011, Steve Jobs' net worth was estimated at $10.2 billion USD.

6. Steve Wozniak

Like his co-founder (above), Steve Wozniak did not complete college either. His net worth nears $100 million USD.

7. Henry Ford

Henry Ford With 1921 Model T

The automobile billionaire was born into poverty. He never went to school at all, but went on to build Ford Motor Company and become one of the richest men in history. His net worth was valued at around $188–199 billion USD.

8. Michael Dell

Oracle

The billionaire founder of Dell Computers started his company from his college dorm room before dropping out to build Dell. His net worth is estimated at $28.6 billion USD.

9. Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell dropped out of school at 16 to start his own record label Fanfare when he was 23. His net worth is estimated at $550 million USD.

10. Walt Disney

Founder of the Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney himself dropped out of high school at 16. At the time of his death, Disney's various assets were worth $150 million USD in 1966 dollars which is the same as $1.1 billion USD.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

33619

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

97092

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

10 Successful Businessmen Without College Degrees

Despite what most might think, a university degree does not equate to success.

1. Mark Zuckerberg

2. Ray Kroc

3. Evan Williams

4. Bill Gates

5. Steve Jobs

6. Steve Wozniak

7. Henry Ford

8. Michael Dell

9. Simon Cowell

10. Walt Disney

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Adulting

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter