Think just a business degree turns you into a CEO? It’s not that simple. More than a third of Fortune 500 CEOs didn’t even study business as undergrads. Some picked engineering, some went straight for the arts, and a few took totally different routes.
If you’re aiming for the corner office, your major matters—but probably not the way you think. The skills you gain, the way you solve problems, and how well you communicate might have more impact than whether your diploma says 'Business Administration' or 'Mechanical Engineering.' There’s no single golden ticket, but there are smart choices that can make the climb shorter and easier.
Let’s dig into what really helps future CEOs stand out, which degrees pay off the most, and the underrated strategies that give you a head start even before you land your first job.
It’s easy to assume that every famous CEO started out with a finance or business degree, but real numbers tell a different story. When researchers dug into the backgrounds of Fortune 500 leaders, business degrees topped the list—but not by as much as you’d think. According to a 2023 study from LinkedIn, only about 34% of Fortune 500 CEOs actually studied business major subjects during college. That leaves a surprising two-thirds who went a different way.
The split looks like this:
| Major | % of Fortune 500 CEOs |
|---|---|
| Business | 34% |
| Engineering | 26% |
| Economics | 12% |
| Computer Science/Math | 8% |
| Other/Liberal Arts | 20% |
Engineering is an especially strong runner-up. CEOs like Tim Cook (Industrial Engineering, Auburn University) and Mary Barra (Electrical Engineering, Kettering University) prove that a tech background can count just as much as business skills—sometimes more.
There are even CEOs with English, history, or no-degree backgrounds. Take Howard Schultz (Starbucks), who majored in Communications, or Doug McMillon (Walmart), who started in Business but also studied Supply Chain Management. The message? Don’t be afraid to double major or get curious outside strict business tracks.
Harvard Business Review points out,
"The days of a single, cookie-cutter path to the CEO suite are long gone. Today's leaders come from all kinds of degrees—what matters is what they've done with those experiences."
So if you’re stressing about picking the 'right' bachelor’s, know that companies care more about what you learn from your degree than just its label. The best CEOs get comfortable with numbers, people, and quickly learning new things—no matter which classroom they started in.
If you want to play it safe, a business degree is an obvious choice for future CEOs. About 30% of Fortune 500 CEOs actually majored in something related to business, like finance, accounting, marketing, or business administration. If you check out the profiles of top execs at Google, Walmart, or JPMorgan Chase, you’ll spot plenty of business majors in their ranks.
What makes business degrees popular for the CEO track is how much ground they cover. You’ll learn the basics of everything—from running numbers in accounting to thinking strategically about markets. The group projects and internships most business schools offer also sharpen your leadership and teamwork skills, two must-haves for the corner office.
Here’s what you usually get from a business degree:
This type of degree is often the quickest launchpad for an MBA pathway, which is basically the next step in the standard executive success formula. Most leading business schools (like Wharton, Kellogg, or Harvard) take loads of candidates with business backgrounds.
Check out this mini snapshot of Fortune 500 CEOs and their college majors:
| CEO Name | Company | Undergrad Major |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Barra | General Motors | Business Administration |
| Brian Moynihan | Bank of America | History (but then got a JD and worked in finance) |
| Doug McMillon | Walmart | Business Administration |
The pattern? Many CEOs do have business degrees, but others mix in different backgrounds. Still, business is a reliable bet if you love numbers, strategy, or working with people, and you want a direct shot at the highest level roles.
Think CEOs only come from business backgrounds? Not even close. Turns out, a big chunk of top execs started out in engineering or other technical fields. Elon Musk studied physics and economics. Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, came up through engineering. Mary Barra, the chief at General Motors, has a bachelor's in electrical engineering. It's not just a coincidence—these majors teach you how to break down massive problems and find practical solutions, which is pretty much the job description for a CEO.
Want some proof? About one out of four Fortune 500 CEOs has an engineering degree, according to a 2023 study from Spencer Stuart. That's even higher than those who had straight business majors. Technical backgrounds signal that you’re strong with numbers, logic, and hands-on teamwork—all traits that boards love when picking a new leader.
"Engineering teaches a way of thinking—structured problem solving, resilience, and constantly looking for efficiency. That's what makes many engineers stand out in senior management," said Thomas J. Friel, former CEO of Heidrick & Struggles, a top executive search firm.
Here’s what gives technical grads an edge on the CEO track:
If you’re eyeing the CEO seat, don’t let anyone talk you out of a technical major just because it isn’t 'business-y' enough. It might even give you a leg up, especially if you pair it later with an MBA.
| Degree | % of Fortune 500 CEOs (2023) |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 24% |
| Business | 19% |
| Economics | 12% |
Technical majors open more doors than you might think—sometimes right to the top floor.
Not all CEOs take the predictable business route. In fact, some of the best-known leaders started out with really surprising majors. Doug McMillon, the CEO of Walmart, studied history. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger went for television and radio. Even studying English or psychology has launched more than a few people into corporate leadership.
Why do these majors work? It often comes down to the unique skills they develop. History majors know how to build an argument from messy facts—a handy trait when you’re steering a company through changes. Psychology and sociology students understand what makes people tick, which helps in areas like team-building and negotiation. Creative majors, like art or writing, excel in seeing what hasn’t been done before. Those skills matter just as much as crunching numbers or reading a balance sheet.
Check out this data showing the variety of undergrad degrees among top executives at big companies:
| Undergrad Major | % of Fortune 500 CEOs |
|---|---|
| Business | 34% |
| Engineering | 22% |
| Economics | 9% |
| Humanities (History, English, etc.) | 15% |
| Other Sciences | 8% |
| Social Sciences | 6% |
| Other | 6% |
This mix shows that companies aren’t just searching for number crunchers. They want leaders who can think creatively and adapt quickly. If your passion isn’t tied up in finance or marketing, don’t sweat it. There’s value in picking a field you love, then doubling down on the skills that executive success really demands: leadership, critical thinking, and solid communication.
Here’s the trick—whichever major you choose, pair it with internships, campus groups, or jobs where you can actually practice leading and making decisions. That’s what stands out when you’re climbing the ladder to CEO later on.
The big truth? CEO success has less to do with the label on your degree and more with the skills you pick up along the way. Hiring managers and boards know that. If you’re eyeing that top spot, it’s worth focusing on real abilities that set strong leaders apart—because companies want heads who think on their feet and can handle change.
One Harvard study found over 60% of high-performing CEOs had excellent decision-making skills, regardless of their field of study. Ability to read a room, weigh risks, and act fast matters a lot more than whether you aced Accounting 101.
Here’s a snapshot of which qualities show up most in CEO job postings, pulled from LinkedIn data in 2024:
| Top CEO Skill Sought | % of Listings |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 92% |
| Communication | 87% |
| Decision Making | 83% |
| Strategic Planning | 78% |
| Problem Solving | 75% |
Chasing the best bachelor's degree for CEO dreams? Double down on these transferable skills. They’ll help you stand out more than any fancy title on your diploma. A killer combo is pairing these with an MBA program later to sharpen what you already do well.
Want to stack the odds in your favor for making it to the CEO seat? Successful CEOs rarely just coast on their degree—they play the long game with smart moves. Here’s how you can do it too.
Here’s a quick look at how common certain backgrounds are among Fortune 500 CEOs:
| Bachelor’s Degree | % of Fortune 500 CEOs |
|---|---|
| Business | 34% |
| Engineering | 21% |
| Economics | 11% |
| Other | 34% |
Bottom line: Use your business major or whatever degree you pick as a launch pad, but focus on practical steps that build your executive success story. Being proactive now makes you stand out later—way more than just choosing the “right” major.
Write a comment