Oxford University Ranks First Among Billionaire-Producing British Universities

Not all universities are equal in terms of outcomes, and even Ivy League schools no longer guarantee a six-figure salary. However, one institution in England stands out for its potential to boost your chances of success after graduation: The University of Oxford.

A recent study by educational experts at Edumentors has identified the University of Oxford as the leading British institution for producing billionaires. The research analyzed the Forbes global billionaire list, focusing on individuals who pursued their bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degrees in the United Kingdom.

Oxford has produced 10 billionaires whose collective wealth amounts to $47.1 billion. Among its notable billionaire alumni are Alex Beard and Sir Michael Jonathan Moritz.

Beard, one of Britain’s youngest billionaires with a net worth of approximately $1.8 billion, graduated from Oxford in 1989. He began his career at BP before joining Glencore, where he climbed to the position of CEO. In 2019, Beard departed Glencore to establish his investment firm, Adaptogen Capital.

Another prominent Oxford alumnus is Moritz, whose investments in companies such as Google, LinkedIn, and PayPal have helped him accumulate a net worth of $6.8 billion.

While Oxford boasts these billionaires, its famous alumni also include Emma Watson and Hugh Grant, although neither are billionaires.

Despite Oxford’s distinction as the top British billionaire-producing university, those aiming to achieve greater wealth might look to its historic rival, the University of Cambridge.

“Even though Oxford University has more billionaires among its alumni, Cambridge University, with two fewer magnates, comes out ahead and ranks first in terms of wealth, totaling an outstanding $92.6 billion, $45.5 billion more than its rival,” explained Tornike Asatiani, CEO of Edumentors.

This comparison underscores Cambridge’s financial dominance. With eight billionaires, Cambridge alumni collectively amass wealth comparable to Stanford University’s richest graduates. Notably, Stanford is the second-highest billionaire-producing university in the United States, despite having 12 more billionaires than Cambridge.

Across the Atlantic, American universities lead in terms of both the number of billionaires and their collective wealth. According to Forbes’ list of top colleges for billionaires (June 2024), the University of Pennsylvania is the top U.S. institution, with 36 billionaire alumni whose combined fortunes total $367 billion.

Following closely are Stanford University, with 30 billionaires worth $90 billion, and Harvard University, which has 28 billionaires amassing $261 billion. Yale University and Cornell University round out the top five with 19 and 13 billionaires, respectively, with combined wealths of $149 billion and $60.4 billion.

The rankings of billionaire-producing universities in Britain, as determined by Edumentors, are as follows:

1. University of Oxford
2. Number of billionaires: 10
3. Combined wealth: $47.1 billion
4. University of Cambridge

Number of billionaires: 8

Combined wealth: $92.6 billion

5. London School of Economics (LSE)

Number of billionaires: 8

Combined wealth: $37.8 billion

6. University of London

Number of billionaires: 4

Combined wealth: $9.6 billion

7. London Business School

Number of billionaires: 3

Combined wealth: $23.1 billion

In comparison, the top billionaire-producing universities in the U.S., as ranked by Forbes, include:

1. University of Pennsylvania

Number of billionaires: 36

Combined wealth: $367 billion

2. Stanford University

Number of billionaires: 30

Combined wealth: $90 billion

3. Harvard University

Number of billionaires: 28

Combined wealth: $261 billion

4. Yale University

Number of billionaires: 19

Combined wealth: $149 billion

5. Cornell University

Number of billionaires: 13

Combined wealth: $60.4 billion

These rankings reveal a stark contrast in the concentration of wealth between British and American universities, reflecting the significant influence of the U.S. on global billionaires. While British universities such as Oxford and Cambridge stand out for their historical prestige and influence, their American counterparts dominate in terms of sheer numbers and collective financial power.

For students aspiring to join the billionaire ranks, selecting a university may play a pivotal role. Both Oxford and Cambridge offer historical legacies and strong alumni networks, while institutions like Harvard and Stanford provide unparalleled opportunities and connections in the U.S. tech and business sectors.

Ultimately, the path to wealth and success is influenced by a mix of education, ambition, and opportunity, and these universities remain key platforms for ambitious individuals aiming to make their mark on the world.