Where Your Favorite Music Artists Earned Their College Degrees

Rebel With a Degree: Where Your Favorite Music Artists Went to College

The image of the rock-and-roll dropout is a popular trope, but the truth is many of your favorite music artists are highly educated, with degrees from some of the nation's top colleges. Their academic journeys often reveal a fascinating side to their personalities and creative processes, proving that a love for music and a thirst for knowledge can go hand in hand. This list offers a surprising look at the real-life alma maters of artists who have conquered the charts and the classroom alike.

You might be surprised to find that many musicians didn't major in music. For instance, John Legend, a true academic powerhouse, earned his degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania, with a focus on African-American literature, a subject that likely influenced his thoughtful and socially conscious lyrics. Similarly, Rivers Cuomo of the band Weezer took a hiatus from rock stardom to earn his English degree from Harvard University, and Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) majored in Dramatic Writing at New York University, a degree that has served his multifaceted career as a rapper, actor, and writer.

Some artists pursued degrees that seem completely unrelated to their music, showcasing their diverse talents and interests. Rock icon Gene Simmons from KISS earned a degree in Education from the College of Staten Island, while country superstar Garth Brooks received his degree in advertising from Oklahoma State University. The list even includes a few who returned to school after finding fame. Saweetie, for example, is a proud alumna of the University of Southern California, where she earned a degree in Communications before her rapid rise to fame.

Ultimately, this list is a powerful reminder that an education provides a foundation for success in any field, even one as unpredictable and creative as the music industry.