Dr. Donna Parker, who graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, runs her own pediatric practice in Annapolis.

Matt Bowry received his master's of business administration from Virginia's College of William & Mary, a degree that helped land him an investment banking job at Legg Mason in Baltimore.

Mike Ladas went to University of Pennsylvania's prestigious Wharton School and rose to become a managing director for investment banking firm Bear Stearns by age 30.

The universities they attended helped determine their economic standing in today's fast-paced globalized work world.

While impressive...