In my view titles doesn't means too much. Sometimes they are even negative in the person in question accommodates itself in a kind of comfort zone because of the title. I experienced that several times in my career directing large groups of researchers.
In Europe, the first universities were the University of Bologna (1088), the University of Paris (c.1150, later associated with the Sorbonne), and the University of Oxford (1167). Therefore, Archimedes (c. 287–c. 212 BC) could not have studied in any of these. But, Pascal and Newton offer interesting contrasts: Pascal (1623–1662), a sickly child who continued to suffer throughout his life, was educated by his father, joined the small Parisian academic circle known as the Académie libre at the age of only 13, and then made his name at the age of 22 as the inventor of the world’s first fully functional mechanical calculator; Newton (1642–1727), however, did enter the University of Cambridge in 1661, was elected a Fellow of Trinity College in 1667, became Lucasian Professor of Mathematics in 1669, and remained at that university until 1696. Life is rarely about binary choices and one should not become fixated on whether higher degrees or research/innovation must come first: "You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. Aim high. Behave honorably. Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. Persist! The world needs all you can give," said E. O. Wilson.