People Are Shocked to Discover Whether Obama or Trump Has More Education

A debate has resurfaced comparing the educational backgrounds of Donald Trump and Barack Obama, surprising many who were unaware of the differences between the two presidents’ academic histories.

Obama served two full terms from 2009 to 2017, while Trump did not, as Joe Biden was elected between Trump’s non-consecutive terms. With renewed attention on Trump’s policies, many people have begun revisiting his school history.

Although education alone doesn’t determine a leader’s skill, it can reveal something about their preparation. Critics often argue that Trump’s academic record doesn’t match Obama’s.

Trump’s path included attending the New York Military Academy, then starting college at Fordham University. After two years, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from the Wharton School with a business degree in 1968. However, his academic performance has never been publicly confirmed.

Obama’s educational accomplishments are frequently highlighted. He became the first Black president of the Harvard Law Review and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1991. Before that, he studied at Occidental College and later transferred to Columbia University, where he completed a degree in political science with focuses in international relations and English literature.

Online discussions continue to compare the two, with some emphasizing Obama’s achievements in law school and others insisting that education doesn’t necessarily measure intelligence. Some users express fatigue over the constant comparisons.

Even after leaving office, Obama remains influential, often sharing annual recommendations of books, films, and music, helping elevate both established and emerging creatives.