Where Did Brad Pitt Go To College?

Brad Pitt is one of the biggest movie stars in the world, known for films like Fight Club, Ocean’s Eleven, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. But long before he made it big in Hollywood, Pitt was just a college student trying to figure out his path in life. So where exactly did the famous actor get his start in higher education?

Early Life and High School

Brad Pitt was born on December 18, 1963 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His father ran a trucking company and his mother was a school counselor. As a teenager, Pitt attended Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Missouri. He was active in various school clubs like the golf, swimming, and tennis teams.

Pitt was also very musical in high school. He played guitar in a band called “Echo 3” and even performed at school dances. However, Pitt did not consider acting or film a potential career path at that point. After graduating high school in 1982, he enrolled in college to further his education.

Choosing a College Path

After high school, Brad Pitt first attended the University of Missouri. He majored in journalism with a focus on advertising. However, Pitt eventually realized that this field was not his true calling. His passion was elsewhere.

After two weeks at the University of Missouri, Pitt made the decision to drop out. He then enrolled at the University of Missouri–Columbia that same year to study graphic design. But again, Pitt felt unsatisfied with his choices. He knew he needed to find a creative outlet that excited him.

Discovering Acting at the University of Missouri

Even though Brad Pitt had acted in some high school musicals, the possibility of acting as a career only occurred to him towards the end of college. During his time at the University of Missouri, Pitt took an acting class and realized he had a talent for it.

Pitt discovered a passion for acting and making artistic creations. The college acting classes encouraged him to move to Los Angeles after graduation to pursue roles in television and film.

In an interview with his college newspaper, Pitt said: “Once I graduated, I loaded up the Datsun and moved to California to take some acting classes and see if I could make it.”

Leaving Two Weeks Before Graduation

Brad Pitt spent three years attending the University of Missouri, from 1982 to 1986. However, he ultimately made the decision to leave the school only two weeks before he was set to graduate.

Pitt was so eager to start his acting career that he did not want to wait around another two weeks to officially complete his degree. He had made connections with other aspiring actors in L.A. and did not want to miss out on potential opportunities.

At the time Pitt left school, he only needed those last two weeks of credits to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. Though leaving early was a risky choice, it ended up paying off for Pitt in the long run. But he still has not returned to formally complete his degree.

Pursuing Acting Full-Time in Los Angeles

After dropping out of college, Brad Pitt fully committed to becoming a professional actor. He drove out to Los Angeles shortly after leaving the University of Missouri.

Once in L.A., Pitt took acting classes and went to countless auditions. He supported himself by taking jobs like driving strippers in limos, moving refrigerators, and dressing as a chicken mascot for a fast food restaurant.

Pitt lived with other up-and-coming actors and continued to hone his skills. His first on-screen roles were on TV shows like Dallas, Growing Pains, and 21 Jump Street. With persistence and hard work, Brad Pitt’s acting career finally took off.

College Experiences Shaped Pitt’s Career

Although Brad Pitt never officially graduated from college, his time at the University of Missouri played an important role in shaping his future career.

The graphic design and journalism classes he took gave Pitt valuable experience with creative self-expression. His discovery of acting on campus directed him towards Hollywood. And the connections Pitt made in college helped introduce him to more opportunities.

Pitt said that if he hadn’t left school early, “I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’ve done.” Taking a risk to pursue his real passion clearly worked out for this college drop-out turned movie star.

Did Brad Pitt Ever Go Back to Finish His Degree?

Even after becoming a huge success in Hollywood, Brad Pitt never returned to formally complete the few remaining credits needed to earn his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri.

However, the school awarded Pitt an honorary degree in 2017 to recognize his achievements and contributions to the arts.

Pitt Skipped His Planned Return to Campus in 1997

In a couple of interviews in the 1990s, Brad Pitt mentioned possibly finishing up his degree requirements. Though he did not graduate with his class in 1986, Pitt said he intended to go back to the University of Missouri later on.

In 1994, Pitt told the school’s newspaper The Maneater that he planned to return to campus to finish his degree after shooting a upcoming film. At the time, he said he hoped to complete his degree by early 1997.

However, once Pitt’s acting career really took off in the late 90s, he likely no longer had time to set aside for returning to school. The University of Missouri confirmed Pitt did not earn an undergraduate degree.

Prioritizing Acting Over Academics

For Brad Pitt, becoming a successful actor clearly took priority over going back to wrap up his last college credits. Once he got his big break, Pitt had to focus entirely on his booming career.

Of course, since Pitt left school right before graduation, he realistically could have returned at any point to complete his degree. But the demands of fame made that unlikely. Pitt got so busy with movie roles that he never made it back to Missouri.

Still, Pitt seems to look back fondly on his college experience as helping to launch his acting career. The University of Missouri gave him his first major acting opportunities.

Receiving an Honorary Doctorate Degree

In May 2017, the University of Missouri’s Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright announced that Brad Pitt would receive an honorary degree from the school. Pitt was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree for his contributions to cinema and art.

Even without finishing his Bachelor’s degree, Pitt was recognized by his former college for his acting skills and creative talents. The school was proud to grant him the honorary doctorate, the highest academic award it can bestow.

Pitt said he was grateful to receive the honorary degree as formal acknowledgement from his alma mater. It served as a belated completion to his college education.

What Has Brad Pitt Said About His College Experience?

Despite leaving two weeks shy of graduation, Brad Pitt has usually spoken positively about his time as a college student. Attending the University of Missouri shaped his early adult years and future acting career.

Developing His Creative Interests on Campus

Brad Pitt has said that discovering new creative pursuits while at college helped direct him towards acting. He started out focused on advertising and graphic design. But taking an elective acting class sparked Pitt’s passion and talent for performing.

In interviews, Pitt revealed that the artistic freedom he found at college allowed him to tap into his interests in design, music, journalism and drama. Sample classes outside his major led him to realize acting was his calling.

Fond Memories Spent with Friends

Another aspect of college Brad Pitt remembers fondly is the close friendships he formed on campus. Pitt said he spent a lot of time goofing off with his Sigma Chi fraternity brothers and other friends at Missouri.

In a 1994 interview, Pitt remarked: “It’s a real comfortable feeling being back on campus, hanging out with the guys I used to pal around with.” The social connections from his university days have stuck with Pitt even after fame.

No Regrets Over Leaving Early

Despite missing out on graduation, Brad Pitt said he has no real regrets about his decision to leave the University of Missouri early. At the time, chasing his acting dreams took priority over staying for finals and graduation.

Looking back, Pitt believes that pivotal move to L.A. shortly after leaving campus allowed him to seize the moment and make vital connections. As he told his alma mater’s paper, “I’m still saying it was the right choice.”

Supporting the School Over the Years

Even though he didn’t quite finish his degree, Brad Pitt has given back to the University of Missouri over the years, supporting various programs. He donated $500,000 towards a scholarship fund in 2005.

In 2020, Pitt also did a YouTube video for Missouri’s “Mizzou Giving Day” fundraiser. He encouraged alumni donations by reminiscing about his own positive college memories and professors who impacted him.

Clearly, Pitt feels a sense of loyalty towards the school that set him on the creative path, even if he never graduated from the University of Missouri.

How Close Was Brad Pitt to Graduating?

Brad Pitt was extremely close to earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. After three years at the school, Pitt only needed two more weeks of coursework to graduate with the Class of 1986.

On Track to Graduate After Junior Year

For his first three years of college from 1982 to 1985, Brad Pitt was on track to complete his four-year undergraduate degree at the typical pace. However, Pitt ultimately decided not to stay for his entire senior year.

According to the University of Missouri, Pitt attended the school from 1982 to 1986. He left campus just shy of finishing spring semester of his fourth year.

At that point, Pitt was no longer a freshman, sophomore, or junior. He was on the cusp of reaching senior graduating status at the school.

Departing Right Before Finals

Specifically, Brad Pitt made the choice to leave the University of Missouri only two weeks before final exams and graduation ceremonies at the end of his third year.

He left Columbia, Missouri in the spring of 1986 after completing almost all the credits required for his Bachelor’s degree in journalism. Pitt was so close but did not stick around for finals or his graduation date.

If Pitt had just stayed those last two weeks of the term, he could have completed his remaining assignments and walked with his class. But Hollywood was calling.

Just Shy of Earning a Degree

Considering how little time Brad Pitt had left, it is surprising he did not just finish out that last part of the semester before moving to pursue acting.

Yet the urgency Pitt felt to get to L.A. and dive into auditions overrode his final exams and graduation. He left Missouri just shy of actually obtaining his four-year undergraduate degree.

Still, those three years of study at the school clearly left their mark on Pitt and exposed him to creative worlds he wanted to be part of.

What Degree was Brad Pitt Studying For?

During his three years at the University of Missouri, Brad Pitt studied journalism and advertising. He later switched to a focus in graphic design before discovering acting.

Here is an overview of the different degree paths Pitt originally considered:

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

When Brad Pitt first enrolled at the University of Missouri after high school, his major was journalism. He was working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on advertising and public relations.

However, Pitt began to second-guess if commercial advertising was the right fit for him. He tried out some graphic design electives and liked those creative classes better.

Shifting to Graphic Design

Brad Pitt ended up switching his major from journalism to graphic design during his college years. He found he enjoyed his art and design courses more than writing ad copy.

Pitt seemed unsure at the time what career was the right creative outlet for him. He experimented with varied subjects to determine where his skills and interests lay.

Discovering Acting

Acting classes finally showed Brad Pitt what he was meant to do. Though he came to college for journalism and graphic design, Pitt uncovered a natural talent for drama.

After taking a few elective acting classes, Pitt realized performing was his true passion. The stage excited him in a way other subjects did not. So he made the leap to leave school and pursue acting full-time.

No Completed Degree

While at college, Brad Pitt studied journalism, graphic design, and acting through classes in each area. However, he did not complete enough credits to actually earn a Bachelor’s degree in any one major before leaving school.

Pitt left the University of Missouri two weeks shy of graduating in 1986. So while he nearly obtained a degree, Pitt ultimately did not finish his undergraduate education.

Has Brad Pitt Ever Enrolled in College Since?

After dropping out of the University of Missouri in 1986, Brad Pitt has not enrolled as a full-time college student again. His acting work in Hollywood kept him busy enough without pursuing any additional higher education degrees.

However, Pitt has audited individual courses that interested him over the years without seeking further degrees.

No College During Hollywood Rise

Once Brad Pitt left college in 1986 to start auditioning, he never had a chance to go back as a traditional student. Pitt’s acting career took off quickly with early TV work.

By the early 1990s, Pitt was becoming a major movie star with leading roles. He did not have time in those years to resume a full college course-load on top of filming movies. Pitt focused on acting.

Too Busy with Work and Family

Even after Brad Pitt was firmly established in Hollywood, returning to earn an undergraduate degree never seemed to be a priority.

In recent decades, Pitt’s busy acting schedule, charity work, and family obligations with Angelina Jolie and their six kids filled his time. College did not make the cut.

Taking an Occasional Class

Though he has not re-enrolled as a full college student, Brad Pitt has found time to sit in on specific university courses now and then. He has studied topics that interest him, like architecture and design, at schools in L.A.

For example, in the early 2000s, Pitt took a sculpture course at Los Angeles County College for enrichment. But he remained focused on acting rather than pursuing another degree.

No Plans to Re-Enroll

At this point, Brad Pitt seems highly unlikely to return to college for a full undergraduate or graduate degree. He has achieved enormous Hollywood success without finishing his Bachelor’s.

While it is never too late, college is simply not a priority for Pitt currently. He opts to learn selectively through individual classes while still primarily working as an A-list actor, producer, and philanthropist.

Conclusion

Brad Pitt’s college days at the University of Missouri played a pivotal role in shaping the acclaimed actor’s life, even though he left school shy of a degree. Trying out creative subjects led Pitt to discover his passion for acting. The University’s theatre department gave him his start.

Dropping out early to dive into Hollywood was a risk that clearly paid off for Pitt. Though he never looked back to finish those last few credits, his alma mater honored Pitt decades later with an honorary doctorate. The Missouri college experience put Brad Pitt on the path towards superstardom.

FAQs About Brad Pitt and College

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Brad Pitt’s college history and education:

Did Brad Pitt graduate from college?

No, Brad Pitt dropped out of college just two weeks before he was set to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri in 1986. He left school early to move to L.A. and pursue acting full-time.

Why did Brad Pitt drop out of college?

Brad Pitt dropped out of the University of Missouri right before finishing his degree because he was eager to make the move to Los Angeles. He wanted to start auditioning and take acting classes while he had connections and momentum.

What college did Brad Pitt attend?

Brad Pitt attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He was enrolled at the school from 1982 to 1986 as a journalism and graphic design major.

How close was Brad Pitt to graduating?

Brad Pitt was extremely close to graduating, only two weeks away from completing his finals and finishing his remaining credits. After three years at college, Pitt was nearing the end of his senior year but left just shy of graduating.

What degree was Brad Pitt studying?

Brad Pitt began studying journalism before switching to graphic design. He took some acting classes and discovered a love for performing. But Pitt did not finish his Bachelor’s degree before leaving the University of Missouri.

Did Brad Pitt ever return to college?

No, after dropping out of college Brad Pitt did not ever re-enroll as a full-time student. His acting success kept him busy. He has occasionally taken individual classes that interest him over the years while remaining focused on his Hollywood career.

Did Brad Pitt get an honorary degree?

Yes, in 2017 the University of Missouri awarded Brad Pitt an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree to recognize his acting achievements and creative contributions even though he never graduated from the school.