Where Top 25 Celebrities Went to College

Plenty of famous names spent time in lecture halls and libraries before they were household names. Some finished degrees that shaped their careers. Others left early when opportunity called. Either way, their campus chapters show a side of success that starts with classes, credits, and late nights studying.

This list gathers a mix of actors, musicians, hosts, and creators and maps them to the schools they attended and the subjects they studied. You will find majors, degrees, and campus activities, plus helpful context like transfers, training programs, and graduate school paths.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard University with a degree in psychology in 2003. She balanced coursework with a growing film career and completed a senior thesis that examined memory and learning.

During her time on campus she participated in research settings and kept a low profile while meeting degree requirements. She used her birth name on academic work and maintained a full course load to finish on time.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brown University in 2014. She also spent an academic year as a visiting student at Worcester College at the University of Oxford.

Her schedule included independent study to accommodate film commitments. She completed a traditional thesis project at Brown and returned to campus to meet final graduation requirements.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson attended the University of Miami on a football scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies. His coursework included criminology and physiology.

He played defensive line for the Miami Hurricanes and was part of a national championship roster. He finished his degree before beginning a professional football stint and later moved into entertainment.

John Legend

John Legend graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in English. He concentrated on African American literature.

On campus he directed and sang with an a cappella group and performed at university events. He completed his degree ahead of schedule and worked as a management consultant before focusing full time on music.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts after early admission. She studied music and performance with a focus on songwriting and piano.

She withdrew after two years to pursue a professional career and developed her stage act in downtown venues. Her conservatory training informed her live arrangements and studio work.

Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg enrolled at Harvard University and studied computer science and psychology. He developed early versions of a social platform in his dorm.

He left college in 2004 to build the company full time but later received an honorary degree. His coursework and projects at Harvard shaped the first features of his product.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey attended Tennessee State University on a full scholarship in communication. She began working in television before finishing her studies.

She returned to complete her degree after starting her broadcasting career. The school later recognized her with additional honors for professional achievement and support of students.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep earned a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College where she studied drama. She then completed a Master of Fine Arts at the Yale School of Drama.

Her Yale training included intensive scene study and repertory productions. She performed in numerous stage roles as part of the professional track of the program.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o earned a bachelor’s degree in film and theater studies from Hampshire College. She later completed a Master of Fine Arts at the Yale School of Drama.

Her undergraduate work included writing and directing a documentary project. At Yale she trained in classical and contemporary performance and appeared in school productions.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in directing in 2000. He also studied in a summer acting program with a British American training group associated with Oxford.

While at Howard he worked under faculty mentors who encouraged advanced study. He later supported scholarships for students at his alma mater.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Technology Sydney. He then trained in acting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan University.

His conservatory studies included voice, movement, and stagecraft. He graduated from the acting program before booking early screen and theater roles.

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in playwriting. She participated in an improv troupe and contributed to campus publications.

Her coursework involved original scripts and staged readings. She completed a theater fellowship after graduation and moved into writing and performing professionally.

Conan O’Brien

Conan O’Brien earned a bachelor’s degree in American history from Harvard University. He served as president of a campus humor magazine.

He wrote comedy pieces and sketches while taking advanced seminars in history. His campus leadership experiences led to internships and early writing jobs after graduation.

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper completed a bachelor’s degree in English at Georgetown University. He then earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Actors Studio Drama School at The New School.

At Georgetown he studied literature and took part in student theater. His graduate work centered on scene study, voice, and on camera technique.

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones graduated from Harvard University with a degree in religion and philosophy. She participated in campus music and theater communities.

Her senior work examined ethics and belief systems in modern contexts. She later applied her academic background to writing and production projects.

Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong earned a Bachelor of Science in zoology from Duke University. He completed a Doctor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

During residency he performed stand up at local venues while continuing clinical training. He later obtained a medical license before transitioning to full time entertainment.

Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik completed a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience at the University of California Los Angeles. She added minors in Hebrew and Jewish studies.

She later earned a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA. Her research focused on hormones and brain activity related to conditions that affect social behavior.

Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson studied electrical and electronic engineering at Newcastle University and completed an undergraduate degree. He then earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering at The Queen’s College at the University of Oxford.

While at Oxford he developed stage material with collaborators and performed in student revues. He balanced technical studies with writing and performing sketches.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster graduated from Yale University with a degree in literature. She completed her studies with honors while continuing an acting career.

Her coursework emphasized French language and literary analysis. She maintained a consistent academic schedule and returned to campus after film projects to finish requirements.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon studied English at Harvard University. He began professional acting work during his time there and did not complete the degree.

He wrote an early version of a screenplay in a writing class and pursued roles that required extended time away from campus. He later returned for events and alumni programs.

Kourtney Kardashian

Kourtney Kardashian graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in theater arts. She completed a minor in Spanish.

Her studies included performance technique and stage history. She finished her degree before entering television production and business projects.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in theater and international studies. She attended classes in the School of Communication and completed work through a global studies institute.

She interned at the United States Embassy in Buenos Aires during her program. She also participated in campus theater and student media projects.

Sacha Baron Cohen

Sacha Baron Cohen studied history at Christ’s College at the University of Cambridge and earned an undergraduate degree. He was active in a university comedy society and student productions.

His academic focus covered modern and political history. He developed characters through stage work while completing essays and exams.

Simu Liu

Simu Liu graduated from the Ivey Business School at Western University with an honors business administration degree. His concentration included finance and accounting.

After college he worked in accounting before moving into stunt work and acting. His business training informed early career planning and project management.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from Rhode Island College in 1988. She then trained at the Juilliard School and graduated from the drama division.

Her undergraduate years included mainstage plays and regional productions. At Juilliard she completed intensive acting, voice, and movement coursework in a conservatory setting.

Share where you went to school or who surprised you most in the comments.