Forbes has released its highly anticipated World’s Billionaires 2025 list, with Elon Musk leading the rankings. The list is dominated by American business magnates who leveraged technology to build their vast fortunes.
Here’s a closer look at the world’s richest individuals and the universities that shaped their journeys.
Elon Musk (Net Worth: $400 Billion)

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, started his education at Queen’s University in Canada. Later, he moved to the United States and studied business and physics at the University of Pennsylvania. Musk pursued a PhD in energy physics at Stanford University, though he left before completing it.
The University of Pennsylvania ranks 11th in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Meanwhile, Stanford University is 6th on the same list.
Jeff Bezos (Net Worth: $239.4 Billion)

Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos graduated from Princeton University. He earned degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. Princeton University holds the 22nd spot in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Mark Zuckerberg (Net Worth: $211.8 Billion)

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg enrolled at Harvard University but dropped out. Despite leaving, he excelled in mathematics, astronomy, physics, and classical studies. Harvard University ranks 4th in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Larry Ellison (Net Worth: $204.6 Billion)

Larry Ellison, co-founder and CTO of Oracle, dropped out of two universities: the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago. Despite not finishing his degrees, his vision built a tech empire. The University of Chicago ranks 21st in the QS World University Rankings 2025, while the University of Illinois ranks 69th.

Bernard Arnault & Family (Net Worth: $181.3 Billion)
Bernard Arnault, the man behind the LVMH empire, graduated from École Polytechnique de Paris with a Bachelor of Arts and Science. The institution is renowned for its academic rigour and holds the 34th position in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Bridging Universities and Success
These billionaires’ stories highlight the role of education in shaping their careers. Universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton provide platforms that foster innovation and ambition. While not all completed their degrees, the knowledge and networks gained contributed to their global success.