Why Attending an Exclusive Business School is Practically Useless in Today’s Age
When I reflect on my time at Vlerick Business School, I can’t help but question the value of the experience. While the prestige of attending an exclusive institution might seem appealing on the surface, the reality of today’s business world makes traditional schools increasingly obsolete. The world has changed; business schools haven’t. Here’s why I believe my time at Vlerick was practically worthless—and why aspiring entrepreneurs or business professionals should seriously reconsider the necessity of attending such institutions.
1. Business Schools Teach Theory, Not Real-World Skills
One of the biggest misconceptions about business schools is that they prepare you for the real world. They don’t. Instead, they provide frameworks, case studies, and abstract theories that rarely align with the challenges you face when starting or running a business.
When I founded FREEL and SMOVECITY, I wasn’t using Porter’s Five Forces or analyzing market data the way we were taught in class. I was solving messy, on-the-ground problems that required creativity, grit, and adaptability—skills no lecture can provide. For instance, I learned how to manage crises by dealing with lawsuits, handling customer disputes, and pivoting business strategies on the fly. None of this came from an MBA; it came from experience.
2. The Alumni Network Isn’t What It Used to Be
Business schools often market themselves as gateways to an elite network. While there’s some truth to this, the value of such networks has diminished in the digital age. Today, you can connect with industry leaders, investors, and collaborators through platforms like LinkedIn, startup incubators, and even Twitter. You don’t need a university name to open those doors anymore.
What’s more, the relationships that truly matter are those built through shared challenges and successes. The network I built through launching my startups far outshines any connections I made during my time at Vlerick. Collaborating with people on real-world projects fosters a deeper and more meaningful bond than sitting through the same seminars.
3. The Opportunity Cost Is Astronomical
Time is your most valuable resource, and business school consumes a lot of it—time that could be spent building a business, learning practical skills, or exploring new markets. When I think about the countless hours I spent on assignments and exams, I wonder how much further ahead I’d be if I had invested that time into developing my ideas or gaining hands-on experience.
The financial cost is another glaring issue. Tuition fees at exclusive business schools are exorbitant, and the ROI is rarely justified. Instead of spending tens of thousands on a degree, I could have funneled that money into early-stage business experiments. The lessons learned from failing fast and iterating are far more valuable than any lecture.
4. Entrepreneurship Isn’t Taught; It’s Experienced
Entrepreneurship is the art of navigating uncertainty, taking risks, and solving problems creatively. These are qualities you develop through action, not in a classroom. At Vlerick, we studied entrepreneurship as a concept, but no course could replicate the adrenaline of pitching to investors, the sleepless nights perfecting a product, or the gut-wrenching decisions of scaling a team.
When I launched SMOVECITY, I had no step-by-step guide. I relied on intuition, feedback from users, and a willingness to adapt. Entrepreneurship can’t be taught—it has to be lived.
5. Traditional Business Schools Are Outdated
The pace of change in today’s world has rendered many business school curriculums irrelevant. By the time an academic institution introduces a new framework or strategy, the market has often already evolved past it. This is especially true in industries like shared mobility and micromobility, where innovation happens in real time.
Modern learning alternatives—such as online courses, startup accelerators, and mentorship programs—are more adaptable, cost-effective, and directly aligned with the needs of today’s entrepreneurs.
6. Success Is Decoupled from Degrees
The traditional narrative that a degree guarantees success no longer holds true. Many of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs—Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Sara Blakely—didn’t rely on formal education to achieve their goals. Instead, they focused on vision, execution, and relentless self-improvement.
In my own journey, the lessons that mattered most didn’t come from a classroom. They came from failure, resilience, and the determination to push forward despite the odds.
The Future of Business Education
This isn’t to say that business schools have no value. For some, they offer structure, resources, and a safe environment to explore ideas. But for aspiring entrepreneurs or those looking to innovate in fast-changing industries, the traditional model feels archaic. The world rewards those who learn by doing, not by memorizing.
If I could go back, I’d skip Vlerick and invest in myself—building businesses, gaining real-world experience, and learning from mentors who’ve walked the path I wanted to take. In today’s world, education is what you make of it, and the classroom is just one of many options.
Is business school still relevant, or is it time to rethink education for the modern entrepreneur? Let me know your thoughts.
