Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was 34 credits away from graduating when he dropped out of Marquette University. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, while a medical doctor, never finished his undergraduate biology degree at Baylor University before he headed to Duke's medical school. And while Walker's and Paul's higher education credentials--or lack thereof--have drawn intense media scrutiny as November 2016 approaches, these Republican politicians' college education reflects the reality for nearly three-quarters of voting Americans.

But unlike the rest of the general electorate, these men are also top contenders for the nation's highest executive office. According to a recent CBS news poll, 30 percent of Republicans would support Walker, and another third would consider voting for Rand Paul.

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Examining Walker's chances of winning a GOP primary, CBS News' John Dickerson points out that the lack of a college degree "clearly hasn't slowed his career."

In fact, certain stories from Walker's life position the governor to campaign on the national stage as a political average Joe. "Running against the elites who all have post-graduate degrees is always a safe place to be as a politician," Dickerson said.

When allegations came out that Walker might have been "forced out" of college, the Journal-Sentinel conducted a thorough investigation that came out in favor of the governor's early years.

"I can say unequivocally that isn't true," Walker said in response to the Milwaukee newspaper's questions, and since then, the unsavory rumors have largely been put to rest. Walker has cited a job opportunity as the reason for his incomplete degree, and his senior year at the school also conflicted with his very first state political race, when he ran for a seat in a heavily Democratic district against state Rep. Gwen Moore in 1990.

Even more than a political boon, Walker's distance from educational institutions could serve as a policy advantage.

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How much do college degrees matter in the 2016 election?