Copyright
  1. Famous Alumni: Where Did They Go To College?
  2. >
  3. May 2008
  4. >
  5. Counselor's Corner

Famous Alumni: Where Did They Go To College?

Published May 06, 2008

RSS Feed

Where did some of the world's most famous people go to college? Check out this celebrity alumni list to find out.

Alumni

1. Conan O'Brien - Harvard <www.harvard.edu>

After earning the valedictorian title at Brookline High School, Conan O'Brien went on to Harvard where he studied history and literature. In 1985 he graduated magna cum laude. Twenty-three years later, Ball State University gave him an honorary degree in Actuarial Science.

2. Matt Groening - Evergreen State College <www.evergreen.edu>

Matt Groening's first choice school was Harvard, but his application was kicked into the rejection pile. He eventually studied philosophy at Evergreen State College. Groening says he fit right into the school that was once lauded as a 'haven for hippies and revolutionaries.'

3. Dr. Seuss - Lincoln College in Oxford <www.linc.ox.ac.uk>

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known by his penname Dr. Seuss, enrolled in Dartmouth College as a freshman in 1925. He later went to Lincoln College in Oxford to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Literature, but he left before earning the degree.

4. Mick Jagger - London School of Economics <www.lse.ac.uk>

Everyone's favorite Rolling Stone, Sir Michael Phillip 'Mick' Jagger, was accepted to the London School of Economics to study finance and accounting. He never did earn his degree though; Mick dropped out in his first year to pursue a music career.

5. Oprah Winfrey - Howard University <www.howard.edu>

Oprah studied communications (big surprise) at Tennessee State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Drama. In 2007, Howard University awarded her with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree.

6. Christopher Walken - Hofstra University <www.hofstra.edu>

After learning to sing and dance at a Professional Children's School, Christopher Walken went on to Hofstra University. He studied English Literature for less than a year before dropping out to be in a Broadway musical with Liza Minelli.

7. Martin Luther King Jr. - Boston University <www.bu.edu>

Martin Luther King, Jr. began his college career early, enrolling in Morehouse College at age 15. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, he earned a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Crozer Theological Seminary. King late completed his doctorate education at Boston University, studying systematic theology.

8. Albert Einstein - ETH <www.ethz.ch>

Although his father wanted him to study electrical engineering, Albert Einstein followed his passion for numbers and equations by enrolling in the mathematics program at ETH. He graduated with a degree in physics four years later.

9. Madonna - University of Michigan <www.umich.edu>

Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie attended the University of Michigan on a dance scholarship, but she never graduated. One of her teachers encouraged her to drop out and pursue a career in dance in her second year.

10. Jodie Foster - Yale <www.yale.edu>

After making more than 50 television and film appearances, Jodie Foster enrolled in Yale University to study literature. She graduated magna cum laude in 1985 with a B.A.degree.

Featured School Choices:

  • Request Info

    Grand Canyon University

    Grand Canyon University responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
    • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
    • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
    • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
    • BS in Psychology
    More information about Grand Canyon University
  • Request Info

    Bryant & Stratton College

    Bryant & Stratton College responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • Bachelor's Degree in General Management
    • Business Assistant Diploma
    • Criminal Justice and Security Services Diploma
    • Business - AAS
    • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
  • Request Info

    Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • Masters in Psychology
    • Masters in Dispute Resolution
    • Masters in Legal Studies
    • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Request Info

    Purdue Global

    Purdue Global responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • Master of Science in Health Education
    • AASBA in Business
    • MSPY - Forensic Psychology
    • BS in Communication
    • BS in Criminal Justice - Socially Responsible Leadership
    More information about Purdue Global
  • Request Info

    Fordham University

    Fordham University responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
    • Masters in Social Work
    More information about Fordham University
  • Request Info

    Liberty University

    Liberty University responds quickly to information requests through this site.

    Suggested programs:
    • DME: Doctor of Music Education
    • LLM: International Legal Studies
    • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
    • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education
    • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Middle Grades Education
    More information about Liberty University