Warren Buffett and top CEOs say a college degree doesn’t matter. Here’s what really counts in hiring

Looking beyond credentials

Ashley Lutz is an executive editor at Fortune, overseeing the Success, Well, syndication, and social teams. She was previously an editorial leader at Bankrate, The Points Guy, and Business Insider, and a

Warren Buffett has made it clear in his annual shareholder letters and public statements that he never considers where a candidate has gone to school when selecting CEOs for Berkshire Hathaway companies. Buffett believes raw business talent and character outweigh academic pedigree, regardless of whether someone attended a prestigious institution or chose an unconventional educational path.

Buffett cites successful leaders like Pete Liegl, CEO of Forest River, who managed significant growth without Ivy League credentials, as well as Bill Gates (who dropped out of Harvard) and Ben Rosner (whose formal education ended in sixth grade) as prime examples that innate ability and operational excellence matter far more than credentials.

Buffett himself attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wharton, and Columbia, but insists a large amount of business talent is intuitive and nature overpowers nurture. He acknowledges that exceptional managers do sometimes come from elite schools, but argues restricting hiring to high-status educational backgrounds risks overlooking true “natural” talent.

Warren Buffett is widely regarded as one of the greatest investors of all time, having amassed a fortune through his disciplined value investing approach and long-term focus. Starting with humble beginnings, he grew his wealth

Fortune‘s recent coverage of hiring attitudes among prominent business leaders indicates broader agreement with Buffett’s perspective.

Tech leaders like former Google exec Jad Tarifi warn that advanced degrees—once considered vital for career advancement—may be losing value due to rapid changes in technology and AI. Tarifi contends that success in tomorrow’s workforce will come from “unique perspectives, agency, emotional awareness, and strong human bonds,” not credentials alone.

Mark Zuckerberg, who notably dropped out of Harvard during his sophomore year after successfully launching Facebook with his roommates, has also openly questioned whether college prepares young people for today’s jobs, noting that many impactful

In today’s fast-changing business environment, top companies are increasingly seeking candidates who demonstrate adaptability, creativity, and fresh perspectives, regardless of their educational trajectory. This trend underscores Buffett’s long-held philosophy: that character, capability, and a proven track record are the real drivers of enduring corporate success.

For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.