Graphic - "The Graduates" (CC BY 2.0) by Game of EPL5 & LUMIX G20/F1.7   

Alan Sugar, Steve Jobs and Richard Branson all have one thing in common. Well, in reality they have a few things in common; one of which is that they're all highly rich and successful. However, the one trait they all share from an education perspective is that none of them went to university.

Jobs may have started, but he never finished while the other two simply didn't go. For some, starting a business doesn't require a three-year stint in the world of professors, budget dinners and all-night cramming sessions. However, for every successful entrepreneur that didn't go to university, you'll invariably find one that did.

Billion Pound Graduates


Donald Trump, Bill Gates and, of course, Mark Zuckerberg all went to university before going on to make billions in the business world. However, what is interesting is that business-minded graduates often don't stick to their academic discipline. Moreover, the majority of entrepreneurs didn't study business.

Naturally, some of the information gleaned from the professors at institutions like Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard and Yale will have been used to bolster some graduate's business credentials. However, the ability to recite Shakespeare or perform complex equations isn't particularly useful in the boardroom.

This, therefore, suggests that university might provide something else to the aspiring entrepreneur. Whether that something else is "life experience", contacts or simply an enhanced ability for logical reasoning, university certainly has some value for those considering a career in business. Of course, all value is relative to the cost, which is why those considering their future in academia may want to look at the price tag for their degree.

Is the Value Worth the Cost?

We all know that obtaining a degree in England can be expensive, but according to an infographic by Voucherbox, some degrees might cost more than you think. Conducting a study into the "per hour" cost of various degrees, Voucherbox found that art students pay more than scientists. Running through the stats, the online cost-saving site took an average annual fee of £9,250 and broke this down by the number of contact hours a student has each week.

For science students, 22 hours of teaching time means the cost of a year at uni works out to be £18.10 per hour. In contrast, art students studying subjects such as English have around eight hours of class time per week. This equates to an hourly cost of £38.50 per hour.

While this would suggest that science students get more 'value' in terms of expert tuition, this doesn't mean this is the way to go if you're looking to move into business. Yes, for some, the rigid, structured nature of a science-based degree is great for focusing the mind and becoming an expert in a certain field. However, in business, it often pays to think outside the box.

In contrast, art students not only have more free time to indulge their naturally creative sides, but they must also learn to fend for themselves. With only eight hours of class time each week, the average art student not only needs to manage their schedule effectively but plough through masses of data on their own. This, in some respects, provides a better grounding for innovators and business owners.

Weigh Up the Right Path for You

Whenever members of the media, governments or business leaders talk about university and its place in an entrepreneur's timeline, they often dismiss it as a distraction. Often pointing to the likes of Sugar and Branson as reasons not to go to university, these people all seem to suggest that it's a waste of time for business.

However, as we've shown, there a plenty of successful business people that did go to university. Not only that, but many aspects of university life actually prepares you for the world of business. The crucial thing, in this case, seems to be the academic choices you make. Getting the most value from your degree is hugely important.

Is the cost per hour not only worth it in the short term, but will it be beneficial in the long term? According to the stats, you're likely to be employed if you graduate, but what if you want to start your own company? Depending on your personality and preferences the answer will be different. However, if you do you research, carry out some cost analysis and put together a solid forecast, you should be able to find the pathway that's right for you.