Should I go to university or start a business?

8 min read

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“Should I go to university… or just start a business?”

If you’ve been asking yourself this question, googling endlessly, or scrolling through TikTok and Instagram for inspiration, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too — the pressure to figure it out now, to make your parents proud, and to find your own path in a world that seems to change every week.

Whether it’s the expectation to graduate with a degree, land a stable 9-to-5, or create your own empire, this is a deeply personal decision. In 2025, with AI, online learning, remote work, and digital businesses, the rules are shifting. So, let’s break it down together.

Pressure to Succeed vs. Desire to Create

Growing up, I felt the pressure of success constantly looming over me. Parents, relatives, teachers — everyone had an idea of what my “path to success” should look like.

It was school → degree → stable job → climb the ladder → retire

I get it. Parents who grew up in a society where education was the ultimate key to success genuinely want the best for their kids. A university degree, to them, is like a guarantee of stability. University can open doors to opportunities they might not have had. They want us to thrive and to have access to opportunities they didn’t.

But somewhere along the way, I started asking: What if my path doesn’t involve a traditional university? What if I want freedom and flexibility? What if I want to create instead of following someone else’s blueprint?

This is not about defying your parents or skipping responsibility. It’s about understanding yourself, your goals, and the opportunities the world offers in 2025 — where AI and online platforms are leveling the playing field.

The Game Has Changed

Look around, The Job Market Has Changed

AI can now help you research, write, design, and even automate parts of a business.
Remote jobs and digital entrepreneurship mean you don’t need a fancy office or even a degree to start making money.
Online courses, YouTube tutorials, and certification programs let you learn any skill faster and cheaper than traditional university classes.

So yes, the “guardian of knowledge” that universities once represented isn’t the only path anymore. You can learn almost anything online, and sometimes even faster than in a formal classroom. But before making a decision, let’s look at both sides.

The Case for University in 2025

Despite all the digital opportunities, university still holds unique value:

Credentials Still Matter

For certain careers like medicine, law, engineering, or research, a degree is non-negotiable. If you dream of being a doctor or a lawyer, skipping university isn’t an option.

Networking Opportunities

University is one of the rare places where you bond with people over shared struggles — late-night projects, exams, and group work. Those friendships can last a lifetime and even lead to co-founders, business partners, or mentors.

Fun fact: According to LinkedIn, 70% of jobs are filled via networking. University gives you a head start in building this network.

Structured Learning

Some people thrive on structure. University provides discipline, clear milestones, and recognized qualifications. It forces you to learn how to manage deadlines, research, and projects.

Stability & Safety Net

Even in 2025, a degree can boost employability in traditional industries. It’s a cushion — a fallback if your first entrepreneurial attempt doesn’t work out.

So University Is Outdated?

No, maybe — university isn’t for everyone.

High Cost & Student Debt

Tuition fees are skyrocketing, and the return on investment is not guaranteed. Many graduates are entering the workforce with massive debt, uncertain job prospects, and skills that don’t match market demand.

AI Disruption

Many skills can be learned online faster, cheaper, and in a more practical context. Coding bootcamps, online certifications, and tutorials can teach you what you need without paying for four years of lectures.

Entrepreneurial Alternatives

If your goal is to start a business, you don’t need a degree to learn coding, marketing, or designing your own products. Many successful entrepreneurs are self-taught and leveraged online platforms to build businesses.

Opportunity Cost

Four years at university is four years you could have spent building a business, testing ideas, and gaining real-world experience. That time can be invaluable. Of course, you could do both University and Business, That's a choice too.

Even though many still believe that getting a degree equals a secure job, recent data shows that’s increasingly not the case.

In Singapore, for example, only 79.5% of fresh university graduates secured full-time, permanent work within six months in 2024 — down from 84.1% in 2023, while unemployment rose to 12.9% for recent graduates (HRD). Similarly, in the UK “Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2024” reports unemployment among graduates still exists, and many are in roles that don’t match their qualifications even when employed (Gov.Uk).

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Starting a Business in 2025

If your heart beats for creativity, freedom, and risk-taking, starting a business is a valid path — especially now.

Low Barriers to Entry

Digital products, e-commerce, dropshipping, affiliate marketing, and freelancing allow you to start with under $100. And you can start with the laptop you already have.

Freedom & Creativity

You own your time. You decide what to build, when to work, and how to grow. AI tools can automate research, marketing, design, and customer support, making it easier than ever to start.

Potential Upside

Unlike a salary-capped job, business growth has no ceiling. Your income is directly proportional to your effort, creativity, and strategy. So, if you're willing to work hard for that bag, it can be rewarding.

In current business trends, many creators are using platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or even TikTok to build profitable businesses under $500 startup cost, leveraging AI for marketing and product research.

The Risks of Skipping University

As they say "High risk, high Reward"

Of course, skipping university comes with risks:

No fallback if your business fails. Unless you work while starting a business.
Isolation — finding mentors and peers can be more challenging,
Self-discipline — you need to structure your own path and stay consistent.
Delayed rewards — most businesses can take years to pay off.

Starting your own venture isn’t glamorous. There will be late nights, failed experiments, and moments of doubt. But the lessons you learn are invaluable — sometimes more than a lecture hall could offer.

The Question is "Are you willing to Risk it"? Read on for the Decision-making calculator

Hybrid Paths: The Best of Both Worlds

If you’re torn, a hybrid approach might be perfect:

Start a side hustle while studying — test ideas, learn entrepreneurship, and maintain your degree.
Use university resources — incubators, mentorship programs, and student networks can help launch your business.
Take a gap year — try building your business before committing to a degree.
Online certifications — fill specific skill gaps without the time and cost of a full degree.

Hybrid paths let you explore entrepreneurship while keeping a safety net.

I Used to think I couldn't do both (in my case part-time work and business), But the key is being disciplined with your time, maximize tools for efficiency like leveraging on ai tools for mundane task, like scripting, and having a strict planning, routine and prioritize task.: Here's a time optimizer calculator I built

How to Decide What’s Right for You

Ask yourself:

Do I want stability and structure, or freedom and risk-taking?
What’s my tolerance for uncertainty?
How much time and money can I invest?
Do I have a business idea I’m passionate about, or am I seeking general knowledge?

Consider making a small table comparing university vs business ROI Adjusted to your situation:

This helps visualize what aligns best with your goals.

Or Try this Decision-making tool to figure out which path suits you most

My Reason: Time Over Security

For me, the main reason I didn’t pursue a traditional university path was time. I wanted freedom to spend more moments with my family and pursue projects I’m passionate about. In a corporate 9-to-5, I would have barely 2–3 hours a day for family or hobbies.

Sure, some may argue that you can reduce work hours or negotiate flexibility, but that’s rare and often comes at the expense of income. By starting my own business, my earnings depend on me — not politics, office hierarchy, or someone else taking credit for my work.

In Summary

Here are points to consider:

AI-Powered Businesses: Many entrepreneurs now leverage AI to automate marketing, design, and customer support. With AI tools, you can test and scale businesses faster than ever.
Success Without Degrees: Instagram and TikTok creators earn six figures from affiliate marketing and digital products without formal degrees.
University Wins for aspiring Engineers, doctors, and corporate professional. These jobs still require qualifications and often earn higher average lifetime earnings with a degree — but only if they navigate internships, projects, and networking wisely.

Balance, strategy, and personal interest are what matter most.

Ultimately Your Path is Yours to Decide

You’re not too late.
You’re not too old. (no matter what age)
You don’t have to copy anyone else’s path.

Success is not about choosing university or business alone. It’s about commitment, consistency, and willingness to learn — whichever path you take.

The journey is what teaches you more than the destination. The key is to start, stay curious, and iterate.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Join Me on This Journey

I’m still figuring out my path to entrepreneurship and financial freedom, and I want you to come along.

Subscribe to my newsletter for updates, free guides, and business tips.
Check out my Passive Income Guide 2025 to see how digital businesses can be started today with minimal investment.

Remember, your success is defined by your choices — not a degree, not luck, and not anyone else’s opinion. Start today, experiment, and trust the process.

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