The Academic Secrets of Tech Giants: What Did Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Others Study?

Sunday, March 16, 2025  Read time2 min

You might find it interesting to know what fields the giants of the tech world, who are often among the wealthiest people on Earth, have studied.

The Academic Secrets of Tech Giants: What Did Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Others Study?

According to Saednews' Science and Technology Service, citing Hamshahri Online, a look at the educational backgrounds of some of the wealthiest people in the world—including major tech moguls like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg—reveals that diverse academic paths can also lead to immense success.

These individuals' unique journeys, from dropping out of college to pursuing unconventional paths, show how passion and bold decisions in fields like technology and business have led them to massive wealth.

This raises an important question: is a college degree really the golden ticket to billions? The experiences of the world’s wealthiest individuals suggest otherwise. Some followed traditional educational routes, while others left prestigious institutions to forge their own paths.

Did Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, ever envision these achievements while studying engineering? What sparked Elon Musk's curiosity before his ambitions for Mars? Does Mark Zuckerberg regret leaving Harvard? A look at the lives of these billionaires reveals that the road to success is not the same for everyone. It seems that their bold decisions played a pivotal role in changing their lives, wealth, and the world:

Elon Musk (Founder of SpaceX)

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, SpaceX, and X, began his studies at Queen's University in Canada before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S., where he studied business and physics.

His ultimate goal was to become an entrepreneur deeply connected to the world of technology. Musk’s pursuit of deeper knowledge led him to Stanford University in California, where he started a Ph.D. in energy physics. However, just two days after arriving at Stanford, he decided to drop out and pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Musk never completed his Ph.D., but his educational experiences significantly influenced his revolutionary ideas in technology and business.

Elon musk

Jeff Bezos (Founder of Amazon)

Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, graduated from Princeton University with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science. His time at Princeton played a pivotal role in shaping his future, providing him with the knowledge to lay the foundation for his groundbreaking work in technology and e-commerce. With a strong background in engineering and computer science, Bezos combined technical expertise with a visionary mindset, revolutionizing the retail industry. By founding Amazon, he cemented his place among the wealthiest individuals and tech giants in the world.

Jeff Bezos

Larry Ellison (Co-founder of Oracle)

Larry Ellison began his studies as a pre-med student at the University of Illinois but left before completing his degree.

He then enrolled at the University of Chicago, where he studied physics and mathematics but again did not graduate. Despite leaving both high school and the University of Illinois in his early academic years, Ellison remained passionate about technology and innovation. This drive ultimately led to the founding of Oracle, which transformed the software industry. Ellison’s story is a rare example that reminds us that formal education is not the only path to success—sometimes, an individual’s passion leads to extraordinary achievements.

Larry Ellison

Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook)

Mark Zuckerberg began studying psychology and computer science at Harvard University but dropped out after two years to pursue his entrepreneurial goals. For Zuckerberg, focusing on Facebook was far more important than completing his degree, and he spent much of his time developing the social media platform that would change how people connect online. Although Zuckerberg did not graduate from Harvard, dropping out marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey that led him to become one of the most influential figures in technology and one of the wealthiest people in the world.

Mark Zuckerberg



Latest news  
A Look at China’s Ingenious Urban Engineering: How an 8-Kilometer Spiral Bridge Solved Shanghai’s Traffic Woes NASA Encounters the Unexpected: Atlas Interstellar Object Challenges the Laws of Physics! When Chinese Robots Replace Humans: From Guide Robots for the Blind to Flawless Driving on the Streets (Video) A Glimpse at the Most Beautiful and Rare Relic of the Achaemenid Era: Darius the Great’s Unmatched Golden Staff, a Shining Gem of Iranian Art and Splendor! Unveiling a Multi-Thousand-Year-Old Ancient Cemetery of Iranian Lovers in a Picturesque Yazd Village – Heart-Shaped Tombs Revealed + Photos Rezaei: America Is Untrustworthy; Decisions Must Be Based on Dignity, Wisdom, and Expediency Mr. President, Are You Spinning in Circles Instead of Solving Problems? Trump and Zelensky Clash Escalates / Trump Goes Back on His Word… Missiles or No Missiles! A 2,000-Year-Old Mummy with All Internal Organs Intact—Truly Incredible! + Photos Amazing Discovery: 2 Precious Historical Gold Figurines with Incredible Antiquity – A 2,000-Year-Old Achaemenid Relic + Photos The Most Beautiful Creature in the World with Its Heart in Its Head – And Look at Its Unique Color! + Photo Hitler’s Massive and Magnificent Treasure Still Buried Underground [+Photos] Saddam Hussein at His Brother’s Wedding 40 Years Ago – What a Ridiculous Outfit! 120-Year-Old Ancient Tree Uprooted by Reza Pahlavi’s Cruel Decree + Photo Araghchi Ahead of the Expiration of Resolution 2231: Iran’s Sovereign Rights Are the Red Line in Negotiations