Don’t drop out, says Cornell and Harvard alumnus Paul Graham: Why your college years are more valuable than chasing a startup

In a startup culture that often glorifies early exits and college dropouts, many students feel compelled to leave campus to chase opportunities. Paul Graham, English-American computer scientist, entrepreneur, essayist, and investor, offers a grounded perspective.

In a recent post on X, he advised aspiring founders: “Don’t drop out of college to start or work for a startup. There will be other (and probably better) startup opportunities, but you can’t get your college years back.” His advice highlights the value of a full college experience, even for those drawn to the fast-paced world of startups, setting the tone for why students should weigh education alongside ambition.

From Cornell to Harvard: Building a foundation

Graham’s academic journey illustrates the importance of a diverse and rigorous educational foundation.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Cornell University and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science from Harvard University. Beyond conventional academics, he also studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, blending analytical thinking with creative exploration.

For students, this underscores the value of education as a platform for versatile skills and long-term preparation.

Shaping technology and entrepreneurship

Graham’s work spans multiple domains, combining programming, startups, and writing. In 1995, he co-founded Viaweb with Robert Morris, the first software-as-a-service company, which was acquired by Yahoo in 1998 and became Yahoo Store. He also created the programming language Arc and published influential books, including On Lisp (1993), ANSI Common Lisp (1995), and Hackers & Painters (2004).In 2005, Graham co-founded Y Combinator with Jessica Livingston, Robert Morris, and Trevor Blackwell, establishing one of the first modern startup incubators.

Y Combinator has since funded over 3,000 startups, including Airbnb, Dropbox, Stripe, and Reddit. His career demonstrates that strategic preparation, knowledge, and timing often precede entrepreneurial success.

Why students should not rush

Graham’s post on X highlights a common misperception in startup culture: That leaving college early is the fastest route to success. His advice emphasizes that college offers more than technical skills or credentials.

It is a space to develop critical thinking, resilience, and communication skills — qualities that are indispensable in any professional or entrepreneurial pursuit. Beyond academics, college provides a structured environment to experiment, fail safely, and learn from mistakes without the high stakes of a live business environment. Students also gain access to mentorship, peer collaboration, and exposure to disciplines beyond their immediate field of interest, which can spark innovative thinking that informs future ventures.

By rushing through these formative years, students risk missing the opportunity to cultivate the intellectual depth, emotional maturity, and professional networks that often distinguish long-term success from short-term wins.

College years as an irreplaceable investment

The experiences, networks, and structured learning gained during college cannot be replicated outside the academic environment. While startup culture celebrates rapid execution and early launches, Graham's perspective stresses the long-term value of preparation.

The combination of intellectual growth, exposure to new ideas, and creative exploration provides students with a foundation that is difficult to achieve in a rushed entrepreneurial environment.

Balancing ambition with learning

Graham’s own journey reinforces this principle. Beyond academics, his continuous writing on paulgraham.com attracts around 25 million annual page views, illustrating how sustained contribution, reflection, and disciplined skill-building can create impact that outlasts immediate business opportunities.

Students aspiring to launch startups can take a measured approach: Focus on building knowledge, refining skills, and nurturing networks while completing their academic journey.In today’s competitive landscape, Graham’s advice resonates: College years are finite, valuable, and formative. Startups will continue to present opportunities, but the preparation, perspective, and resilience cultivated during higher education often provide a lasting advantage. His counsel on X serves as a reminder to students that thoughtful preparation often outweighs early execution, and that investing in education is an investment in long-term success.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.