10 Dropouts Who Changed the World

For many of today’s world-changers, finishing school hasn’t always been the most critical component of success. Their success stories prove you don’t always need a diploma or college degree to make aa significant difference in the world. Check out these 10 well-known people who achieved remarkable things without completing their education.

1. Walt Disney

The brain behind the Disney empire left McKinley High School in Chicago when he was just 16 years old. It took him a while to make a cartoon that people really liked, but once he got it right, Mickey Mouse became a huge success, and the rest is history!

2. President William McKinley

President William McKinley is one of only two U.S. presidents from the 20th century who didn’t finish college. He went to Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, but we don’t really know why he didn’t finish his degree. McKinley himself said not having that diploma was one of his biggest regrets. However, his lack of a college degree did not stop him from becoming the 25th U.S. president. His assassination in 1901 resulted in the establishment of the Secret Service.

3. Rachel Lim

Rachel Lim is one of the founders of Love, Bonito, a super-successful, multi-million-dollar fashion brand. She was just a few months away from finishing college at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore when she decided to take a big chance on her new business.

4. Oprah Winfrey

In 1975, Oprah Winfrey, who would later become a famous media star and generous philanthropist, left Tennessee State University just one credit short of finishing her degree to start a job in TV. Ten years later, after starting her own talk show and getting an Oscar^® nomination, Oprah returned to school and finally graduated with the Class of 1986 from TSU.

5. Tiger Woods

Just like many top athletes, Tiger Woods decided to leave college early to focus on golf. He left Stanford University after his second year. Years later, Woods would express regret over leaving Stanford early, but his status as one of the greatest golfers ever stands regardless.

6. Bill Gates

Bill Gates left Harvard University after his second year to work on his company, Microsoft^®, which he started in 1975. He came back to school but decided to drop out for good after finishing his third year. Gates chose to focus all his energy on making Microsoft a success. Today, we know him as a Microsoft co-founder and pioneer of the microcomputer revolution, and not as a dropout.

7. Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray left Pace University in New York after two years. She said tuition was too expensive and felt like she was just going to school for fun. Instead, she began working at the candy counter at Macy’s^®. Ray would eventually become a famous TV talk show host and Food Network star!

8. Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright took a few classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for two semesters in the late 1880s, and that was the extent of his college education. He later became one of the best-known architects in American history, designing famous buildings such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.

9. Jamaica Kincaid

Before becoming a famous author, Jamaica Kincaid took night classes in photography at the New School for Social Research in New York City. She then transferred to Franconia College in New Hampshire, but soon found herself drawn to writing. She left school to focus on her writing career. Despite having never finished college, Kincaid is a professor in residence at Harvard University.

10. Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie Raitt, whose dad was a famous Broadway star, was studying African studies at Harvard’s Radcliffe College. But when she got into blues music, she decided to take a break from school. First, she went to Philadelphia, and then she joined a tour with the Rolling Stones in 1970. The “break from school” never ended, but Raitt’s music career earned her 13 Grammy Awards^® plus induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

These individuals who dropped out of school and achieved great success regardless show there isn’t just one path to reaching your goals. They show that passion, hard work, and determination can sometimes be more important than finishing school. Their stories remind us that even if the usual route isn’t right for you, there are many ways to make your mark and follow your dreams.

References: 50 Super Successful College Dropouts | 42 Successful and Influential Dropouts That Changed the World
| How President William McKinley’s Assassination Led to the Modern Secret Service | Department of English | Artist: Bonnie Raitt | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame