Let’s examine which U.S. colleges have the highest salaries for their graduates and which majors offer the best financial outcomes after graduation!
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Top 20 College Rankings by Salary Potential!
In the table above, early career salary refers to the median salary of graduates who have recently finished school (0-5 years of work experience).
Mid-career salary refers to the salary level of graduates who have been in the workforce for a while (10+ years of work experience) and are in the middle of their career development.
We’ve also included the percentage of STEM majors for each school in the data table for your reference.
Based on the report, here’s a quick look at the top 5 universities by mid-career salary:
MIT
MIT ranks first with an impressive mid-career median salary of $196,900. As a global leader in STEM education, it’s no surprise that MIT tops the list, with graduates excelling in technology, engineering, and science-related fields.
Princeton University
Princeton, the Ivy League powerhouse, comes in second with a mid-career median salary of $194,100. The university’s strong academic reputation and vast alumni network play a key role in its graduates’ high earning potential.
The U.S. Naval Academy
Ranking third, the Naval Academy boasts a mid-career median salary of $187,800. The academy’s rigorous training programs and leadership development opportunities translate into high-paying roles for its alumni, particularly in the defense and government sectors.
Harvey Mudd College
A premier liberal arts college focused on STEM education, Harvey Mudd ranks fourth with a mid-career median salary of $185,800. Its small size and intense focus on science, engineering, and mathematics make it a strong contender among technical institutions.
Babson College
Known for its entrepreneurial education, Babson College ranks in the top 5 with a mid-career median salary of $181,400. Babson’s graduates thrive in business and entrepreneurship roles, making it a top choice for future business leaders.
In the top 6-10: Other notable universities in the top 10 include Stanford University (6th), Santa Clara University (7th), Dartmouth College (8th), University of Pennsylvania (9th), and Harvard University (10th). Ivy League schools are well-represented in the rankings, underscoring their continued dominance in producing high-earning graduates.
You can find the full list of rankings here.
High Earning Undergraduate Majors in 2024
While university rankings offer one way to assess career prospects, choosing the right major can have an even more significant impact on long-term earning potential.
- Petroleum Engineering: $212,100
- Operations Research & Industrial Engineering: $202,600
- Electrical Engineering & Computer Science: $192,300
- Interaction Design: $178,800
- Building Science: $172,400
- Applied Economics and Management: $169,300
- Actuarial Mathematics: $167,500
- Optical Science & Engineering: $166,400
- Quantitative Economics: $165,100
- Operations Research: $164,900
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The complete list of rankings is available here for your reference.
As seen in the list, Petroleum Engineering takes the top spot, with mid-career professionals earning a median salary of over $212,000. Operations Research & Industrial Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science also rank high, reflecting the growing demand for technical expertise in data analysis, engineering, and software development. Other specialized fields, such as Actuarial Mathematics and Building Science, are among the top earners, showing the wide range of opportunities available to STEM graduates.
By providing these salary insights, we hope to give students and families a clearer understanding of the financial benefits of different universities and majors. Whether you’re exploring options for higher education or planning your career path, this data will help you make informed decisions.
Disclaimer: All data and information are sourced from Payscale’s official website. Please refer to Payscale’s official report for the latest updates and detailed information.
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