Blog · 2024-09-29

The 10 universities whose graduates earn the most

This ranking draws on salary data from more than 3 million graduates who earned a bachelor's degree. Universities were assessed by their alumni's average pay early in their careers (the first five years) and at mid-career (a decade later).

The top spot went, unexpectedly, not to Harvard, Stanford or Princeton. The leader was the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which edged out the traditional Ivy League favorites. MIT's numbers are striking: its graduates start out on an average salary of $110,220, and by mid-career their earnings reach $196,900.

The top 10 universities for salary prospects

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

• Early career: $110,220
• Mid-career: $196,000

2. Princeton University

• Early career: $95,600
• Mid-career: $194,100

3. United States Naval Academy

• Early career: $96,700
• Mid-career: $187,800

4. Harvey Mudd College

• Early career: $115,800
• Mid-career: $185,900

5. Babson College

• Early career: $90,600
• Mid-career: $181,400

6. Stanford University

• Early career: $102,300
• Mid-career: $181,200

7. Santa Clara University

• Early career: $91,000
• Mid-career: $179,500

8. Dartmouth College

• Early career: $92,300
• Mid-career: $178,700

9. University of Pennsylvania

• Early career: $92,500
• Mid-career: $178,300

10. Harvard University

• Early career: $95,600
• Mid-career: $177,400

Lately, colleges with a strong focus on STEM disciplines - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - have been drawing ever more attention, as they open up substantial career prospects for their students.

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