Power, money, respect—all eyes land on the CEO’s chair. But scroll through the stories of real CEOs, and you’ll notice that the path to the top isn’t as straightforward as people think. Some went to the world’s most elite business schools, others started in engineering labs or even struggled with their undergrad grades. It gets confusing. If your goal is to run the show one day, you’re probably asking, “Which bachelor’s degree is best for CEO?” The answer isn’t as cookie-cutter as most career guides make it seem. Harvard and Stanford churn out their fair share, yes, but other degrees show up in surprising places. Some CEOs didn’t even major in business at all.
If you want to build your future with the CEO title on your desk—intentional choices matter. Degrees open doors, shape your thinking, connect you with networks, and teach you to solve problems from different angles. Choosing the "best" degree for CEO isn’t about a magic formula, but about creating a strong foundation and stacking the odds in your favor. Let’s look closer at what really works and pull back the curtain on what top CEOs actually studied, which skills count, and how you can use university to aim high—not just study hard.
What Top CEOs Actually Studied: Degrees, Majors, and Surprises
A lot of people still assume a business degree is the golden ticket to the CEO suite. That’s not exactly false, but it isn’t the only way in. If you scan the world’s top companies, the mix of CEO degrees gets interesting. A 2023 LinkedIn survey of 500 Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 CEOs found something most students don’t expect: Business Administration is big, sure, but just as many CEOs graduated with degrees in engineering. Computer science, economics, and even philosophy make frequent appearances. The tech industry, especially, loves ex-engineers as its leaders—think Satya Nadella of Microsoft (Electrical Engineering), or Mary Barra of General Motors (Electrical Engineering). But take finance, media, and consumer goods, and you’ll meet plenty of CEOs who began with liberal arts or sciences.
Here’s a closer look at some top CEO degrees:
| Degree/Major | % of Fortune 500 CEOs (2023) | Notable Example |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration/Management | 31% | Doug McMillon (Walmart) |
| Engineering (various) | 29% | Mary Barra (GM), Satya Nadella (Microsoft) |
| Economics | 13% | Larry Fink (BlackRock) |
| Computer Science/IT | 7% | Sundar Pichai (Google) |
| Sciences (Biology, Physics, etc.) | 8% | Albert Bourla (Pfizer) |
| Humanities (History, Philosophy, etc.) | 5% | Brian Chesky (Airbnb) |
| Law | 4% | Robert Bradway (Amgen) |
| Other | 3% | Variety |
See those engineering numbers? That’s not an accident. Engineering and business both teach hard problem-solving and give you a way to stand out. But don’t count out humanities or economics—those majors build critical thinking and communication, skills every CEO needs to rally a board, inspire teams, or talk to investors.
The “best” degree also depends a lot on the type of company. Tech companies and manufacturing giants tend to favor engineers. Financial CEOs often have backgrounds in economics or accounting. Creative industries might put an English, marketing, or even fine arts major at the top. And then there’s the network: Where you study can help as much as what you study. Ivy League, London School of Economics, and big tech schools offer connections that can matter just as much as grades.
Skills Matter More Than Majors: What CEO Success Really Needs
You can graduate top of your class in business or code intricate software, but that alone doesn’t make a leader. People who make it to CEO learn to combine concrete business skills with a set of intangibles—the things headhunters and boards are always searching for.
Here are the hard and soft skills CEOs need, no matter their degree:
- Strategic Thinking: Spotting long-term trends, not just day-to-day tasks.
- Decision Making: Fast, clear, and able to act with incomplete information.
- People Leadership: Motivating teams, building company culture, and handling tough conversations.
- Financial Literacy: Understanding a P&L, balance sheet, and how metrics guide companies.
- Resilience: Handling failure, criticism, and pressure when things get ugly.
- Communication: Simplifying complex ideas, persuading others, and public speaking.
- Adaptability: Navigating digital disruption, global shocks, or new tech.
- Networking: Building relationships with mentors, partners, and future board members.
Business degrees often cover management, finance, and leadership. Engineering teaches analysis and project management. Humanities sharpen your argument, writing, and empathy. But no degree will teach the full CEO toolkit—you build it across different experiences, internships, extracurriculars, and jobs. Want a tip? Use college as a playground for skills-building. Run a club, intern at startups, volunteer for something outside your studies, or pitch your own tiny business. Some of these under-the-radar lessons are what set tomorrow’s CEOs apart.
An interesting stat from a PwC survey in 2024: Nearly 60% of CEOs listed "adaptability to change" as the most critical trait for future leaders, way ahead of technical expertise. So if you’re weighing two degrees, pick the one that pushes you out of your comfort zone. Employers and boards want brains, but also grit and a growth mindset.
Choosing the Right Degree for You: Facts, Tips, and Common Mistakes
If you’re staring at university brochures, the pressure to ‘pick correctly’ can feel overwhelming. But here’s some perspective—there’s room at the top for lots of skill sets and backgrounds. Focusing only on a single “best” program risks missing your true strengths.
Here’s what to consider—and what to avoid—when choosing a bachelor’s degree aimed at CEO-level jobs:
- Do your homework on industries. If you dream about leading a bank, economics or finance could set you up. Love tech? Engineering or computer science is gold. Creative fields need vision—there, humanities and marketing stand out.
- Pick a degree you can excel at. It’s no good picking business or computer science if you secretly hate group projects or math. CEOs need top results—choose something where you’ll enjoy digging deep and performing well.
- Look for combo options. Double majors or minors (business + computer science, engineering + economics) are a smart way to cover more bases. Many top CEOs layered their skills this way, either in undergrad or with a master’s later on.
- Prioritize schools strong in mentorship and connections. The right university can give you access to alumni, work placements, and student organizations that nurture future leaders. It’s not just about the lectures—it’s about the network.
- Avoid letting ranking alone decide. Harvard, Stanford, LSE—sure, everyone hears these names. But many CEOs come from lesser-known schools too. Employers care about experience, results, and attitude as much as a famous seal on your degree.
- Don’t forget internships and extracurriculars. Real-world experience is priceless. Whether it’s launching an NGO, running a side hustle, or taking part in competitive student groups, these out-of-classroom adventures help you figure out who you are as a leader.
One warning: Beware the myth that business is always the safe bet. It helps, but engineering, economics, or even philosophy can absolutely launch a leadership career if you pair them with the right mix of experience and drive. Just look at the Fortune 100’s leadership. Apple’s Tim Cook? Industrial engineering. PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi? Chemistry and Physics. They went on to pursue MBAs later, but built their original edge from those early degrees.
Best degree for CEO isn’t about a label—it’s about taking the degree that turns you into a thinker, problem-solver, and connector. And then hustling, failing, and learning on the way up.
Ready to choose? Think of your bachelor’s degree as your launchpad. Fill it with challenging classes, real-life learning, and varsity-level networking. The rest is up to your curiosity, ambition, and willingness to break the mold. The boardroom’s calling—don’t wait to start building your story now.
