<p>Hard work is were the money really is. While prestige won’t give you money, it will open alot of doors which is why people work so hard to get into top Ivies. Believe me, I know people who make only 100k a year in their 40s and went to Harvard and others who make 10 million + a year in their 40s and went to Harvard as well. Talent+Perseverance+Motivation+Creativity+Drop of Luck=Success. Prestige is not part of the equation as you might have noticed.</p>