The Rich Are Obsessed with Specific Education to Get Rich, While the Poor and Middle-Class Focus on Formal Education

In our society, the pursuit of wealth and financial success is often seen as a goal that requires education—yet the type of education matters immensely. There is a distinct difference between the way the rich approach education and the way the poor and middle class pursue it. The rich tend to focus on acquiring specific education that aligns with their goal of financial independence, such as learning how to invest, sell, or start a business. On the other hand, the poor and middle-class invest most of their time and energy in formal education, such as obtaining high school diplomas, college degrees, and advanced academic qualifications like a PhD. While both forms of education are valuable, it’s crucial to understand why specific education often plays a more direct role in wealth accumulation.

The Rich's Focus on "Specific Education"

When we look at the habits and actions of the wealthiest individuals in the world, one common thread is their commitment to acquiring specific education that directly contributes to building wealth. This specific education is tailored toward achieving financial independence and creating value, whether through investing, entrepreneurship, or sales. Rich people are deeply invested in learning about the tools, strategies, and skills that allow them to multiply their money, create profitable ventures, and generate wealth over time.

For example, consider the case of Warren Buffett, often considered the most successful investor of all time. Buffett's wealth didn’t come from traditional schooling alone. He sought out education from a variety of sources, focusing on financial literacy, value investing, and economic principles. His approach to education included learning from mentors, reading books on business and finance, and investing in opportunities that aligned with his knowledge. Warren Buffett’s education was purpose-driven—he made sure to acquire the right kind of knowledge that would help him generate wealth.

Similarly, Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, dropped out of Harvard to pursue his vision of creating a technology company. Gates’ specific education came from understanding the computer industry, coding, and the market needs at the time. Rather than following the traditional educational path, Gates was determined to learn what mattered for building a business, and he used that specific knowledge to create Microsoft, one of the largest companies in the world.

The rich also understand the importance of learning about sales and marketing. Successful entrepreneurs like Grant Cardone emphasize how essential sales skills are to generating revenue and achieving financial success. According to Cardone, anyone can learn to sell, and once you master this skill, you can sell products, services, and even yourself. Understanding how to sell is one of the pillars of wealth-building, and it’s something that the wealthy take very seriously.

In addition to sales and investment strategies, real estate is another area where the rich often focus their education. Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of real estate investing as a wealth-building tool. Kiyosaki himself didn’t follow the traditional route of earning a high-paying job in a professional field like law or medicine. Instead, he became financially independent by learning how to invest in real estate, manage assets, and leverage debt to grow his wealth.

The rich, therefore, engage in a type of continuous, specific education throughout their lives, always seeking knowledge that is relevant to their wealth-building journey. Whether it’s learning about financial markets, business management, marketing, or investments, they prioritize acquiring knowledge that will directly help them build and sustain wealth.

The Poor and Middle-Class Focus on Formal Education

In contrast to the rich, the poor and middle class tend to place significant emphasis on formal education as the primary route to success. This traditional education often involves completing high school, obtaining a college degree, and sometimes pursuing postgraduate studies like a master’s or PhD. While formal education is undoubtedly important for personal growth and acquiring foundational knowledge, it is less directly linked to wealth-building than the specific education sought by the rich.

For many in the poor and middle class, the narrative has always been that formal education is the key to securing a high-paying job and a stable future. Parents, educators, and society at large often encourage young people to pursue a college degree as the primary means of advancing in life. The idea is that a formal education will open the doors to higher-paying, respected professions such as law, medicine, engineering, and teaching.

However, the issue with this approach is that a formal education doesn’t always provide the practical knowledge or skills needed to accumulate wealth. Take a look at the typical trajectory of many individuals in the middle class. After years of schooling and accumulating student debt, they often find themselves in entry-level jobs that may offer decent pay but lack the potential for massive wealth growth. Even if they rise through the ranks of a corporation, their financial freedom is still limited by their salary, which is subject to taxes, inflation, and other external factors.

Consider the case of many people who graduate from law school or medical school. While these fields can be financially rewarding, many of these professionals end up spending most of their careers working for someone else, whether in a law firm or hospital. They may earn a substantial income, but the time they spend working for others, and the limited control they have over their own wealth-building strategies, can hinder their ability to reach financial independence.

Even the best-paying formal education paths often require individuals to work long hours, with little opportunity to invest or grow their own assets. Formal education, then, becomes a means to secure a job—but not necessarily a means to financial independence.

The Realization: Education Must Be Purpose-Driven

The difference between the rich and the poor/middle class lies in the purpose and intent behind the education they pursue. The rich approach education with a clear financial goal in mind, using it to sharpen specific skills that enable them to build wealth. Their education is oriented toward creating opportunities, whether it’s through entrepreneurship, investing, or developing high-income skills.

On the other hand, the poor and middle class tend to view education as a stepping stone to employment. They are taught to study and get good grades to qualify for a well-paying job, rather than to learn how to create their own opportunities or generate wealth. This is not to say that formal education doesn’t have value—it’s essential for many career paths and provides a well-rounded intellectual foundation. However, for those seeking to accumulate wealth, it’s often specific education—focused on areas like investment, entrepreneurship, and sales—that is the key to success.

Making the Shift: Acquiring Specific Education for Wealth-Building

If you aspire to build wealth, consider shifting your focus from just obtaining formal education to acquiring specific education that is directly applicable to financial success. Here are some practical steps you can take:

1. Invest in Financial Literacy: Read books, listen to podcasts, and attend seminars on financial literacy, investing, and entrepreneurship. Learn how to manage money, invest in assets (like real estate or stocks), and generate passive income.

2. Develop Business Skills: Whether it’s learning how to create a business plan, understanding market trends, or learning how to pitch a product or service, developing business acumen is vital to becoming wealthy.

3. Master Sales: Whether you’re selling a product, service, or even an idea, being able to sell is one of the most valuable skills you can have. The rich know this, which is why they often focus on learning how to sell effectively.

4. Focus on Real Estate and Investing: Real estate and investing are two of the most common wealth-building strategies employed by the rich. Educating yourself about these areas can put you on the path to financial independence.

Conclusion: Education as a Tool for Wealth Creation

The path to wealth is paved not just with hard work, but with the right kind of education. While the poor and middle-class often pursue traditional, formal education, the rich understand that true wealth comes from acquiring specific knowledge and skills that are directly applicable to entrepreneurship, investing, and wealth management. If you’re looking to get rich, shift your mindset to prioritize purpose-driven education—education that empowers you to create wealth, not just a job. The more you learn about how money works and how to make it work for you, the closer you’ll be to achieving financial success.