Given the immense responsibility carried by the president of the United States, it’s easy to assume that everyone who has occupied the Oval Office excelled effortlessly in school. Certainly, some did — figures like Thomas Jefferson and Woodrow Wilson were renowned for their scholarly brilliance, while Abraham Lincoln famously educated himself through relentless reading.
Yet not every future commander-in-chief was a classroom standout. Some struggled with discipline, others with grades, and a few nearly saw their academic careers derailed altogether. Here are eight U.S. presidents who faced more than a few bumps along their educational paths.
Zachary Taylor
Raised near Louisville, Kentucky, in a prosperous landowning family, Zachary Taylor attended at least two local schools during his youth. However, the quality of frontier education left much to be desired — and Taylor’s own dedication may have been limited as well.
Letters from his early adulthood reveal significant weaknesses in spelling, grammar, and handwriting. Whether these shortcomings were due to inadequate schooling or lack of academic interest, it’s clear that Taylor’s passions lay elsewhere. In 1808, he embarked on a military career that would define his life. Although he later developed a greater appreciation for education, Taylor’s academic foundation was far from polished.
Franklin Pierce
As a boy, Franklin Pierce preferred outdoor play and socializing to studying. That casual approach caught up with him at Bowdoin College.
Known as “Handsome Frank,” Pierce frequently skipped study sessions, slipped away to a local tavern, and prioritized fishing over coursework. After two years, he discovered he ranked last in his class academically. The news proved transformative. Treating it as a wake-up call, Pierce redoubled his efforts and eventually graduated in 1824 ranked fifth in a class of 14 — a dramatic turnaround.
James Buchanan
The son of a successful Pennsylvania merchant, James Buchanan showed early academic promise and had both the intellect and financial backing to pursue higher education — a rarity in the early 1800s.
However, while attending Dickinson College, Buchanan fell in with a rowdy crowd known for disruptive behavior. His involvement in their antics led to expulsion. Thanks to family influence, he was reinstated and, from that point forward, maintained better conduct. Buchanan ultimately graduated with honors, salvaging what could have been a derailed future.
Ulysses S. Grant
As a child, Ulysses S. Grant displayed talent in mathematics and an extraordinary ability with horses — but little enthusiasm for academics. Quiet and unassuming, he rarely participated in class discussions.
Through his father’s efforts, Grant secured admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point. There, his horsemanship impressed classmates, and he showed aptitude for drawing. Academically, however, he struggled, particularly in French and ethics. Grant graduated in 1843 ranked 21st out of 39 — squarely in the middle of his class.
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover’s educational challenges began early. Orphaned at age 9, he later left school at 14 to assist in his uncle’s business in Oregon.
Determined to study mining engineering, Hoover applied to the newly established Stanford University in 1891 — and failed every entrance exam except mathematics. On his second attempt, he gained admission but continued to struggle, particularly in English composition.
Despite excelling in geology, Hoover could not pass English requirements until a supportive paleontology professor demonstrated his strong research-writing ability to the department chair. With that intervention, Hoover finally earned the passing grade needed to graduate in 1895.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
An energetic athlete who loved football and baseball, Dwight D. Eisenhower thrived physically at the United States Military Academy.
However, a serious knee injury during his sophomore year disrupted his athletic ambitions and seemed to impact his academic focus. His grades declined, and demerits mounted. After becoming a student football coach, Eisenhower regained direction and improved his standing. He graduated in 1915 ranked 61st out of 164, though his conduct ranking — 125th — reflected earlier struggles.
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy’s academic record suggests that privilege sometimes smoothed the road. At the elite Choate Rosemary Hall, Kennedy prioritized sports and social life, failing French and Latin as a freshman and facing brief expulsion over a prank.
At Harvard University, he again focused heavily on athletics and extracurriculars. Over time, however, Kennedy found purpose. Travels across Europe before World War II inspired deeper intellectual engagement. His senior thesis on British foreign policy was later published in 1940 as Why England Slept, earning considerable praise and marking a clear academic maturation.
Ronald Reagan
As a child, Ronald Reagan was shy and studious, but his confidence blossomed after receiving glasses that corrected his vision. At Dixon High School in Illinois, he became a popular student, excelling in football and student leadership.
At Eureka College, Reagan balanced football, swimming, acting, and fraternity life. Academics, however, were not his strength. He earned only one “A” — in a course titled “Fundamentals of Sports” — and posted a senior-year GPA of 1.96, the highest of his college career.
Years later, returning to accept an honorary degree, Reagan quipped, “I thought my first Eureka degree was an honorary one.”
Not All Roads to the White House Are Straight
These stories serve as reminders that academic excellence is not the sole predictor of leadership potential. While some presidents dazzled in lecture halls, others stumbled, regrouped, and found success along unconventional paths.
History shows that perseverance — not perfect grades — often proves the more enduring qualification.