lon Musk, Alex Karp and Peter Thiel are challenging the four-year degree as the default path for elite talent—and, in some cases, building their own alternatives.

Accelerated degrees have fired up debate on whether proficiency can be achieved faster than institutions have traditionally accepted.

Higher education leaders want to embed paid apprenticeships in curriculum. These university and state models are providing a blueprint.

The annual list from U.S. News and World Report has expanded for 2026 to once again cover Master of Fine Arts degrees.