10 Celebrities That Went Back To College After Becoming Rich and Famous

It is no mystery that sometimes students “run out of steam” in their quest to earn a degree. However, education is extremely important. The value of a college degree is apparent even to the wealthiest and most high profile people. Many stars that are rich and famous have gone to school to earn degrees. Below is a list of 10 big names in Hollywood who have attended college.

1. Michael Jordan – The biggest basketball star to date, number 23 on the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan, too has a college degree. He left school in order to be able to pursue his basketball career. All the fame he had achieved did not seem to be enough to satisfy him, so he decided to go back to school to further his education. He attended college and graduated with a degree in geography from the University of North Carolina­ Chapel Hill in 1986.
   • North Carolina Chapel Hill
2. Tyra Banks – Many know her as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, and as the host of America’s Next Top Model, but what many do not know about the beautiful Tyra Banks is that she actually furthered her education. In 2012, she graduated after taking a 9­-week management program in business at Harvard University.
   • Harvard University
3. Shaquille O’Neal – As a major basketball star, O’Neal left school to pursue basketball, but decided on his own that he would later return to receive an education. He kept his promise to himself and returned to school, and in 2000, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from Louisiana State University. But he did not stop there. In 2005, he graduated from the University of Phoenix with his master’s degree in business education and a doctoral degree in Education from Barry University in 2012.
   • University of Phoenix
4. Shakira – Many know the Latin singer by her gorgeous voice and deadly dance ­moves, but the pop sensation is also working on earning her college degree. She is studying at the University of California to earn her degree in the History of Western Civilization.
   • University of California
5. Emma Watson – The Harry Potter movie franchise made her famous, but Emma Watson never forgot the value of an education. She is pursuing a college degree at Brown University. She attended the university from 2009 – 2011 and left to continue her acting career. She has enrolled for the upcoming quarter at Brown University to finish her degree.
   • Brown University
6. James Franco – You might know him from his roles in Spider-man, 127 Hours or Pineapple Express, but this leading actor also places an immense emphasis on education. In 2008, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles, and received an honors degree in English. In a pursuit to further his educational goals, the actor is now working toward earning his master’s degree in fine arts from Columbia University.
   • University of California, Los Angeles
   • Columbia University
7. Miranda Cosgrove – The Nickelodeon star has found herself also pursuing a college degree, After being homeschooled from grade six onward due to the filming of her hit show, she is now studying film at the University of Southern California.
   • University of Southern California
8. Natalie Portman – Though she achieved fame from Hollywood, Natalie Portman never forgot the value of an education, as well as what following all her passions meant to her. She attended Harvard University in 2003 studying psychology and neuroscience.
   • Harvard University
9. Eva Longoria – Though she was a successful Hollywood actress, Eva Longoria wanted to continue her education, as she thought there was no reasonable excuse not to. She received her master’s degree in Chicano Studies from California State University.
   • California State University
10. Jodie Foster – A true testament to how important education is, Jodie Foster was a childhood star, who faced some of the hardest obstacles, in terms of being able to go to school. She became famous and still realized how important an education was. She attended Yale University and graduated at the top of her class.
    • Yale University