New Delhi: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and economist Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, have reignited the debate over the relevance of college degrees, arguing that skills and practical experience are becoming more valuable than traditional academic qualifications in many sectors.
Their remarks come amid growing use of online learning platforms, artificial intelligence tools and industry certifications that are reshaping how knowledge is acquired and how employers evaluate talent.
Musk says knowledge is freely available online
Elon Musk argued that universities are no longer essential for learning, saying the internet has made high-quality educational resources widely accessible.
“You don’t need college to learn stuff. Everything is available basically for free. You can learn anything you want for free,” Musk said.
While acknowledging that colleges still have a role, he contended that their primary value lies in demonstrating commitment and discipline rather than imparting knowledge.
According to Musk, completing a degree shows that a person can work towards long-term goals, meet deadlines and complete challenging tasks.
Employers should value skills over degrees
Musk said companies should focus more on evidence of exceptional ability than on academic credentials.
“If you’re trying to do something exceptional, you must have evidence of exceptional ability. I don’t consider going to college evidence of exceptional ability,” he said.
He cited technology entrepreneurs Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Larry Ellison, who did not complete college, as examples of individuals who achieved remarkable success through innovation and practical capability.
Sanyal proposes work-and-study model
Echoing Musk’s views, Sanjeev Sanyal said he has come to a similar conclusion regarding the role of higher education.
He argued that with knowledge now freely available online, the traditional lecture-based model of college education has become less relevant.
Sanyal suggested that ambitious young people should begin working at the age of 18 while simultaneously pursuing academic degrees alongside their jobs.
He added that only a limited number of professional disciplines would continue to require full-time, campus-based education.
Universities should focus on research
Sanyal said universities should devote greater attention to research, improving assessment systems and regularly updating curricula to meet evolving industry requirements.
He also argued that qualities such as discipline, maturity and responsibility are often developed through real-world experiences in workplaces, entrepreneurship or competitive sports rather than classroom lectures.
Responding to critics, he questioned the assumption that higher education alone is responsible for helping young people become adults.
Hiring trends evolving in technology sector
The debate reflects a broader shift in the technology industry, where employers are increasingly emphasising practical skills, problem-solving ability and real-world experience.
The growing availability of online courses, open-source learning resources, AI-powered education tools and professional certifications has prompted many companies to reassess the importance of formal academic qualifications.
At the same time, degrees continue to play a crucial role in professions such as medicine, law, engineering, scientific research and other regulated fields that require structured education and professional licensing.
AI changing recruitment priorities
The discussion has also gained momentum following recent remarks by NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, who said artificial intelligence skills are becoming an increasingly important criterion in recruitment.
Industry leaders have suggested that as AI transforms workplaces, employers are placing greater emphasis on candidates’ ability to use emerging technologies, adapt to changing environments and demonstrate practical expertise.
Conclusion
The comments by Elon Musk and Sanjeev Sanyal have renewed discussions about the future of higher education in an increasingly digital economy. While formal degrees remain essential in many professions, the rapid growth of online learning and AI-driven workplaces is encouraging employers to place greater value on demonstrable skills, continuous learning and practical experience alongside academic qualifications.