I'm sure most parents would wish their children an education at Harvard, but the vast majority of the college-educated in America receive their education outside of the Ivy League and they are the individuals most responsible for America's economic success.

ECONOMIST: Trade and Central America

"Gates demonstrated that the old-school model of an Ivy-league degree, or a pedigreed family, isn't a requirement for career success, " says Katy Piotrowski, author of The Career Coward's Guide to Changing Careers.

FORBES: How To Be The Next Bill Gates

The rap duo Kidz in the Hall is sort of like the Vampire Weekend of contemporary hip-hop: Its members met while attending an Ivy League university prominently reflected in their stage getup and they owe much of their success to the file-sharing footsoldiers of the music blogosphere.

NPR: Kidz In The Hall: Back To The Summer