Is a university degree still worth it if you're building a business?

I love the topic of this discussion, and thank you for your post where I can learn from others' experiences.

I generally believe "competence" outweighs degree. As you've mentioned, I think the real world cares more about the real value I can offer rather than good degrees.

But in my case in Healthcare sector, MD license (and degree) plays significant roles as "qualification" and "protection." The education not only provides professional domain knowledge, but also gives credential to the product and protection when faced with any problems, especially legal ones.

I think degree and license matters in some other sectors too (like law, pharm, etc.), but I find the degree and license are still just basis to start a business. To run a good one, competence of individuals and valuable products are what matter the most, just like not every doctor with valid license is a good doctor.

I think it really depends, it’s hard to give a one-size-fits-all answer. If we're talking about entrepreneurship or building a startup, then no, you definitely don’t need a degree. Same goes for fast-evolving fields like marketing or design — you’ll often learn more by doing.

That said, I wouldn’t underestimate university either. I once heard someone say, “University isn’t for learning, it’s for building connections,” and that stuck with me. Think of people like Mark Zuckerberg, who started Facebook at Harvard. Or even the PayPal mafia, many of those early relationships started in school or through university networks.

In the end, it depends on your goals. If you're using university as a safe space to start something on the side, or to meet like-minded people, it can be valuable. But if you're pouring tens of thousands into it just for a degree, it’s worth thinking twice, especially in today's world where credibility can be built in many ways.

Thanks for sharing this—really relatable! In China, the university system is still seen as a major stepping stone, especially for landing jobs at big domestic firms or government roles. Prestige matters a lot here—people often chase “985” or “211” schools just for the resume boost.

That said, I’ve seen a growing shift, especially in tech and startup circles. Many successful founders never went to top schools—or even finished uni. What matters more now is hands-on experience, execution, and your network. Still, university can be a great safety net or launchpad if used strategically—like starting a project while studying or meeting future co-founders.

Yes, I believe it is! I’m currently doing an online MBA from an online university, which I applied for through UniAdda. The degree provides valuable knowledge on business management, strategy, and leadership. Plus, with UniAdda, I get 30% cashback, add-on certifications, and free placement assistance. I think it’s a great idea to enhance my skills, especially as I build my business. The flexibility of an online MBA also allows me to learn while working on my startup.

I agree with your points. I've always though for most people university is waste of time. I guess though, it really depends. I never graduated from university but I did go for a few years. Didn't stop me from being able to write software in my underwear for over 14 years professionally. At the end of the day it's drive and consistency that win the race.

Willingness drives action. Resources enable execution. Timing determines success.

Everything else—expertise, knowledge, connections—these are secondary.

You must commit. You must gather. You must move at the right moment.

No one else will make it happen. Take responsibility. Build your business.

I have 2 degrees that don't directly help in business/projects.

Their main value:

• Teaching me to never stop learning

• Helping me find my wife and friends 😄

My experience matches yours - international opportunities rarely care about degrees while local businesses do.

University provides foundation knowledge, but entrepreneurship needs different skills that come from real-world experience.

The best path depends on your goals and learning style.

I think there are two ways to look at pursuing a degree:

1. Getting a degree with no clear outcome in mind — in this case, the degree often becomes just a means to land a job. Once college is over, much of what was learned tends to fade away, and the actual impact of the education is minimal.

2. Pursuing a degree with intention and clarity — where you already have an idea of what you want to build or work on. This path is far more effective and fulfilling, though it’s still a relatively underrated (and often dismissed) approach.

In the end, it’s not the degree itself that defines your growth — it’s the mindset and purpose you bring to it.

I have a great example of this! 🙂

I graduated with a degree in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts and even secured a spot in an MSc program. But during the COVID pandemic, I made a career shift and now, I’m working as an Affiliate Partner Specialist at a global company!

Even though my current role is completely different from what I studied, my university years taught me valuable life lessons, especially when it comes to social, and communication skills.

At the end of the day, experience often beats degrees, but I’m still grateful for my time as a student 😊