Certain universities around the world are not only celebrated for academic excellence but also for producing some of the wealthiest individuals on the planet. According to a 2024 study by Salas Díaz and Young, Harvard University leads the list with the highest number of billionaire alumni, even without counting famous dropouts like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.
The report reveals that while U.S. universities dominate the rankings, Asian institutions are quickly climbing the list, highlighting the global shift in wealth and entrepreneurship.
Top 10 Colleges with the Richest Alumni (2025)
| Rank | University Name | Country | Number of Billionaires | Notable Alumni | Source of Wealth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | USA | 104 | Steve Ballmer, Michael Bloomberg | Microsoft, Bloomberg L.P. |
| 2 | Stanford University | USA | 69 | Jerry Yang, Andy Fang | Yahoo, DoorDash |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania | USA | 38 | Elon Musk | Tesla, SpaceX |
| 4 | Columbia University | USA | 32 | Warren Buffett | Berkshire Hathaway |
| 5 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA | 28 | Charles Koch | Koch Industries |
| 6 | Yale University | USA | 24 | Stephen A. Schwarzman | Blackstone Group |
| 7 | Cornell University | USA | 22 | Robert F. Smith | Vista Equity Partners |
| 7 | University of Mumbai | India | 22 | Mukesh Ambani | Reliance Industries |
| 9 | Tsinghua University | China | 19 | Sun Hongbin | Sunac China Holdings |
| 10 | New York University (NYU) | USA | 18 | John Paulson | Paulson & Co. (Hedge Fund) |
Key Highlights
1. Harvard University – 104 Billionaires
Harvard remains the world leader, producing 104 billionaires, including Steve Ballmer (Microsoft) and Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg L.P.). Its extensive alumni network and world-class business programs provide unmatched opportunities.
2. Stanford University – 69 Billionaires
At the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. Alumni include Jerry Yang (Yahoo) and Andy Fang (DoorDash) — both tech giants who revolutionized their industries.
3. University of Pennsylvania – 38 Billionaires
The Wharton School at Penn continues to shape global business leaders, including Elon Musk, who has redefined industries from automobiles to space travel.
4. Columbia University – 32 Billionaires
Located in New York City, Columbia gives students unique access to financial and media hubs. Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most successful investors, studied here.
5. MIT – 28 Billionaires
MIT’s technology-driven programs have produced industrial giants like Charles Koch of Koch Industries. It remains a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
6–10. Rising Global Influence
While Yale, Cornell, and NYU round out the U.S. presence, Asian universities like University of Mumbai and Tsinghua University show that global wealth creation is no longer limited to the West.
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Mukesh Ambani (India) and Robin Li (China) symbolize this new wave of billionaires from Asia’s leading universities.


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