According to Kanye West’s successful album, “College Dropout”, the rapper decided that he was much better off without a college education. And as anyone who watched his outburst on this year’s Video Music Awards (VMAs) could tell you, Kanye clearly needs to sharpen his critical thinking skills.

However, there are plenty of rap stars and singers who DID stay in school! Getting a higher degree may not be part of the typical hip hop image, but it definitely did help many high-profile rappers achieve a considerable amount of success. Take a look these college grads who made it big:

Ludacris – the mastermind rapper behind the infamous “Chicken-n-Beer” album got his start at Georgia State University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Sean Combs – before becoming Puff Daddy or P. Diddy, Combs was a student at Howard University. As one of the biggest rap moguls in America, he has won three Grammy Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and a successful clothing line to his name.

M.I.A. – graduated from London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. She started her career as a visual artist, embarking on her musical career after electroclash artist Paches introduced her to the drum machine.

Ice Cube – studied architectural drafting at the Phoenix Institute of Technology. His solo debut, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” became an instant hit in 1900, and his career has been rising ever since.

David Banner – has a bachelor’s degree in business from Southern University and a master’s in education from the University of Maryland. This Mississippi native won critical acclaim for his first musical success in 2003 with “Mississippi: The Album”.

Common – formerly known as Common Sense, this rapper studied business at Florida A&M University. A Chicago native, Common credits his time in Florida for exposing him to southern hip hop.

Plies – not many people know that Plies has a degree in nursing. Born and raised in Florida, he started his rap career with his brother on their independent label Big Gates Records. His first album, “The Real Testament” was released in 2007.