If you see being a Chief Executive Officer (that’s a CEO) in our future, you may be wondering how to get from your high school desk to a corner office. It’s a big leap, and while there isn’t a specific degree that will get you that job description, there are a few things you can do in college to set you on a trajectory towards success.
You can become a CEO by being chosen to lead a big company or can become a CEO by building a company yourself. Each track requires different skills and networks, but both benefit from a few core skills. It’s not a fluke that the top majors for CEOs are finance, business, and engineering. Attending a school that is at the top of the top for one of these majors isn’t mandatory, but it helps. We’ve picked our top ten schools for future CEOs based on prestige, student body, faculty connections and support, and alumni network.
If you see a corner office (or a really fancy work-from-home couch) in your future, send us an email. We help students chart a course to a successful future.
Harvard University — Cambridge, Massachusetts
Over 40 CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are alumni of Harvard University. That’s the most of any one school in the world. At Harvard, the top students in the world are among the top scholars in the world with an alumni network that includes the top professionals in the world. Students can take courses in innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership, and the Harvard Innovation Lab provides students with big ideas with support through mentorship, lab space, and even funding opportunities.
University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is the only Ivy to offer an undergraduate degree in business, so it attracts the best of the best of aspiring business leaders in America. Students at Penn have a fire in their bell, and reflect the diversity of the world. In 2022, students entered from 84 countries and 49 states, and 18% were first-generation college students. Aspiring CEOs can take advantage of Entrepreneurship and Innovation programming between study sessions.
Stanford University — Stanford, California
It may sound absurd, but venture capitalists like to invest in businesses they can visit easily, so the two biggest hubs of venture capital in the US are the Boston area and — to no one’s surprise — Silicon Valley. This means students at Stanford are at the center of it all, and the Stanford Entrepreneurship Network will help you take advantage of it. Like other top schools for future CEOs, Stanford has a ridiculously low acceptance rate (less than 4%) so you’re among not only the best of the best, but also the most focused.
Northwestern University— Evanston, Illinois
The Cooperative Education program, or Co-op, at Northwestern, is a unique program that very few schools offer — and that’s perfectly suited for future CEOs. Through the Co-op, students are immersed in the professional field of their interest while they earn their degree. It means it takes a bit longer to get your diploma, but you’ll make up for it once you’re out in the professional field because your resume will be stacked compared to students from other top schools.
Columbia University — New York, New York
Columbia University is in the heart of the action for global business, and the power of New York City is palpable. Whether you want to start your own venture or begin a rise to the top in the financial, corporate, or consulting world, Columbia can launch you on that path. And if you to want to start something, it doesn’t hurt that Columbia startups raised $18.2B in a year recently. Columbia Entrepreneurship supports aspiring business leaders and innovators through education, networking, and funding opportunities.
University of Chicago — Chicago, Illinois
The University of Chicago is a nerd paradise. The university is a thriving meeting point for the top students in economics, finance, and engineering, and the campus is a major hub for people who relish complex numbers whether on a balance sheet, in a math equation, or as part of an engineering problem. The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation offers education, mentorship, and events, including a network of other 100 business leaders who are ready and willing to guide you towards the c-suite.
University of Michigan— Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Center for Entrepreneurship at Mich offers courses, workshops, and programs taught by actual entrepreneurs, including really helpful courses for future CEOs like “Compensation, Funding & Ownership.” The school is a favorite for exceptional student athletes who want a DI experience on the field or court to complement their top-tier education.
Cornell University— Ithaca, New York
Cornell is the practical Ivy. We mean that literally. Cornell is the only member of the Ivy League to offer a degree in Hotel Administration, and they are also unique among top-tier universities in offering many other degrees like Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture. This means Cornell is the ideal school for students who want to rise to the top of a global hotel brand, agricultural company, or design firm.
Dartmouth College — Hanover, New Hampshire
The Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship at Dartmouth is the flagship entrepreneurship program of the most rural member of the Ivy League. Dartmouth may not be based in a business hub, but it makes up for it in on-campus resources, alumni network, and learning opportunities. Courses like “Social Entrepreneurship” educate students on different avenues to success, and aspiring business leaders can cut their teeth through accelerators and incubators.
University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia
UVA has embarked on a bold experiment in student self-governance. Students guide nearly every aspect of campus life, and can hone the leadership skills future CEOs need by serving on the Honor Committee, University Judiciary Committee, or Student Council. In the classroom, you can pursue an entrepreneurship minor or specialized tracks like the Technology Entrepreneurship Program and the Youth and Social Innovation Major.
The biggest test of an aspiring CEO is making the most of the college you attend. Tap into the resources, community, and on-campus network to build your leadership and communication, and don’t overlook the power of the alumni network for career development.
If you want to launch a future as a CEO, send us an email. We help students like you find, and get into, their perfect college.