Why Do Successful People Say College Is Useless, While Sending Their Kids to Ivy League?

Title: Do the Wealthiest Individuals Believe in Elite Education for Their Children?

There’s a growing online conversation claiming that college is useless. The rhetoric isn’t confined to dubious gurus—some very prominent business leaders and investors echo similar sentiments, suggesting paths like entering skilled trades, starting a business, and simply “grinding” rather than pursuing a degree.

Yet a closer look at the backgrounds of many successful founders, chief executives, venture capitalists, and top professionals reveals a different pattern. A recurring thread is the association with prestigious institutions such as Ivy League universities, Stanford, MIT, and select private schools with substantial tuition. When it comes to their own children, high-impact families often choose the same elite institutions rather than alternative education routes like trade schools or early entrepreneurship.

If college is claimed to be unnecessary, why do the wealthiest and most influential people place substantial value on elite education for their next generation? This question invites a nuanced discussion about the role of higher education in personal development, professional networks, and long-term opportunities.