5 US Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates
Written by
Chris Adam
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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When choosing a college or university to attend, there are many statistics and rankings to consider. Perhaps you want a school that ranks highly for your major and has a campus life that appeals to you. You may also want one that ranks well for helping students secure good jobs when they graduate.
You may also have money in mind. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees who earned bachelor’s degrees have median weekly earnings of $1,493. Workers who have a high school diploma but no bachelor’s degree have median weekly earnings of $899. Those with bachelor’s degrees also have a significantly lower average unemployment rate.
You’re probably interested in which colleges turn out alumni who go on to earn the highest salaries. According to PayScale, these five colleges tend to produce graduates who earn significantly more than those with degrees from other schools.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mid-career pay: $196,900
- Early career pay: $110,200
In the list of the colleges with the highest-earning grads, MIT lands on the top.
The median mid-career earnings for grads from MIT with at least 10 years of experience are close to $200,000.
Princeton University
- Mid-career pay: $194,100
- Early career pay: $95,600
It may not be a surprise that Princeton is on this list. The school has a solid reputation for producing knowledgeable and successful grads.
Three other Ivy League Schools — Dartmouth, the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard — made the top 10 list for highest-paid grads, but Princeton is the only one in the top five.
“While Ivy League alumni frequently go on to land high-paying jobs or launch their own businesses, data is inconclusive as to whether attending one of these elite institutions has a tangible impact on future career earnings,” according to CNBC.
United State Naval Academy
- Mid-career pay: $187,800
- Early career pay: $96,700
You probably realize the U.S. Naval Academy is serious about its academic reputation and preparing future leaders. Graduates go on to serve in positions with the armed forces.
Applicants to the Naval Academy must apply directly to the school and receive a nomination. That usually comes from a member of Congress. It is a competitive process with a low number of applicants accepted.
Harvey Mudd College
- Mid-career pay: $185,900
- Early career pay: $115,000
You may not be familiar with this school. Harvey Mudd College is a private liberal arts school based in Claremont, California.
The school pairs liberal arts with science, math and engineering. PayScale found that students who earn STEM degrees generally earn more than those who major in the liberal arts.
Babson College
- Mid-career pay: $181,400
- Early career pay: $90,600
Another school you may not have heard of, Babson College is a private business school. Only 3% of its graduates earned their degrees in STEM, PayScale found.
As with other schools on this list, it is a very selective place that requires exceptional credentials to be accepted. It admits just 17% of applicants.
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