Universities and colleges are the only way to achieve success ?

Of course not. Have you ever heard the saying “All roads lead to Rome ” and “ Every profession produces its own leading authority”? The most important thing you should have is enough and strong ability. Other things you also should own is patience, experience , correlative knowledge and some other spirit. University and college is only one possible way of all means to get these thing but probably not everything. What you shoud do to achieve your own success is firstly to choose a definite aim , then own enough ability,train youself and don't be afraid of the hardship which will occur.Wish you good luck,but I think a college certificate is still relatively smooth and helpful to get a job,but not for your own career.