FILE - Students walk past Royce Hall on the University of California, Los Angeles campus on Aug. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Damian Dovarganes
President Donald Trump waves Friday as he walks to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington for a trip to Palm Beach, Fla.
Allison Robbert, Associated Press
APAlert
Judge bars Trump from immediately cutting funding to the University of California
The Trump administration cannot immediately cut federal funding to the University of California or issue fines against the school system over claims it allows antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, a federal judge ruled late Friday in a sharply worded decision.
U.S. District Judge Rita Lin in San Francisco granted a preliminary injunction sought by labor unions and other groups representing UC faculty, students and employees.
She said they provided "overwhelming evidence" that the Trump administration "engaged in a concerted campaign to purge 'woke,' 'left,' and 'socialist' viewpoints from our country's leading universities."
FILE - Students walk past Royce Hall on the University of California, Los Angeles campus on Aug. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Damian Dovarganes
"Agency officials, as well as the President and Vice President, have repeatedly and publicly announced a playbook of initiating civil rights investigations of preeminent universities to justify cutting off federal funding, with the goal of bringing universities to their knees and forcing them to change their ideological tune," she said.
She added, "It is undisputed that this precise playbook is now being executed at the University of California."
The White House and the U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Friday.
President Donald Trump waves Friday as he walks to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington for a trip to Palm Beach, Fla.
Allison Robbert, Associated Press
President Donald Trump decried elite colleges as overrun by liberalism and antisemitism.
His administration launched investigations of dozens of universities, claiming they failed to end the use of racial preferences in violation of civil rights law. The Republican administration says diversity, equity and inclusion efforts discriminate against white and Asian American students.
The Trump administration launched a series of civil rights investigations of the University of California, according to Lin's ruling.
Over the summer, it fined the University of California, Los Angeles, $1.2 billion and froze research funding after accusing the school of allowing antisemitism on campus. UCLA was the first public university to be targeted by the administration over allegations of civil rights violations.
MICHAEL R. SISAK and JESSE BEDAYN
Associated Press
UC is in settlement talks with the administration and is not a party to the lawsuit before Lin, who was nominated to the bench by President Joe Biden, a Democrat. An email to The school system did not immediately respond to an email sent Friday.
University of California President James B. Milliken said the size of the UCLA fine would devastate the UC system, whose campuses are viewed as some of the top public colleges in the nation.
The administration demanded UCLA comply with its views on gender identity and establish a process to make sure foreign students are not admitted if they are likely to engage in anti-American, anti-Western or antisemitic "disruptions or harassment," among other requirements outlined in a settlement proposal made public in October.
The administration previously struck deals with Brown University for $50 million and Columbia University for $221 million.
Lin cited declarations by UC faculty and staff that the administration's moves were prompting them to stop teaching or researching topics they were "afraid were too 'left' or 'woke.'"
"The undisputed record demonstrates that Defendants have engaged in coercive and retaliatory conduct in violation of the First Amendment and Tenth Amendment." she wrote.
Lin's injunction bars the administration from cancelling funding to the University of California based on alleged discrimination without following a process outlined in federal law, including giving notice to affected faculty and conducting a hearing. She also threw out the funding freezes against UCLA announced over the summer.
They say the college years are the best of your life. They shape the way you see the world, the passions you wish to pursue, and the person you hope to be. But much more than an emotional, personal, and professional starting point, college is a significant financial investment.
In the last 10 years, the cost of college has gone up by more than 25%, according to CNBC. For the 2019 academic year, private colleges cost an average of $48,510 per year, and public ones cost $21,370. After four years, and in many cases five to six years, that cost can stack up significantly, so you’re going to want to ensure that you’re putting your dollars into an institution that is going to make it worth your while. Luckily, those who have a bachelor’s degree earn about $32,000 more annually than those without, reports the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities. But some colleges have a higher return on investment than others.
Stacker compiled a list of the colleges with the best return on investment, using a 2019 study by Anthony P. Carnevale, Ban Cheah, and Martin Van Der Werf at Georgetown University. Colleges that primarily issue bachelor’s degrees were considered. Colleges are ranked by the highest 40-year ROI, with ties broken by 10-year ROI. The study considered net present value, balancing today's costs against future earnings.
Universities that specialize in STEM studies (science, technology, engineering, and math) tend to have a higher return on investment for their graduates. STEM has gained ground over the past 10 years as more and more careers have a need for science and tech knowledge. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 8.5 million STEM jobs in 2015, which represented 6.2% of employment in the United States. Ninety-three percent of STEM occupations have wages above the national average, as well.
Colleges that focus in pharmaceuticals also show the strongest return on investment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 there were more than 300,000 pharmacist jobs, and the median wage was $128,090.
Now it's time to take a look at the colleges that made the cut. Keep reading to see the 100 colleges with the best ROI. Is your college on the list?
North Carolina's Wake Forest University is composed of six separate schools on a 340-acre campus. It is renowned for its sports program, as well as its graduate programs in law, business, and medicine. It's ranked #28 on U.S. News & World Report's 2021 edition of Best Colleges.
Bryan Pollard // Shutterstock
- 40-year net present value: $1,283,000
- 10-year net present value: $189,000
- Graduation rate: 58%
- Median debt: $18,750
The University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus is a small institution with an enrollment of less than 1,000. Roughly 58% of its graduates go on to full-time employment, while 23% pursue higher education. The mean starting salary for graduates is $55,390.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,288,000
- 10-year net present value: $193,000
- Graduation rate: 61%
- Median debt: $18,750
The University of Connecticut-Stamford campus is located in Fairfield County, with close proximity to New York City and the major metropolises of the tri-state area. As such, the university allows for internships, field placements, and jobs with Fortune 500 companies, investment and banking institutions, community agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Fifty-seven percent of students who graduated in 2019 reported finding full-time employment, while 28% were seeking graduate programs, according to the Hartford Courant.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,288,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Graduation rate: 52%
- Median debt: $16,625
Maryland's Capitol Technology University specializes in niche areas like aviation, data science, computational systems, cybersecurity, security intelligence, and engineering, among others. Eighty percent of full-time students receive some form of financial aid, and 82% had job offers (or pursued graduate school) within 90 days of commencement.
Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,291,000
- 10-year net present value: $144,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $16,500
The University of Virginia, founded in 1819, is one of the top nationally ranked schools, known for its academic medical center, research, arts, and athletics programs. According to its 2019 First Destinations Report, 67% of graduates went on to full-time employment, while 15% went on to continuing education. The internet and software industry received the highest percentage of graduates, with 13% of graduates finding careers there.
Boston University has more than 300 programs of academic study, making it one of the most comprehensive undergraduate programs in the country. The proof is in the pudding, as many students go on to lucrative careers in finance, technology, consulting, and more. The average base salary of graduates is $60,889.
Cmcnicoll // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,298,000
- 10-year net present value: $143,000
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Median debt: $16,750
New York state's Binghamton University is a public university founded in 1946. It's a fairly large university with an undergraduate enrollment of more than 14,000, according to U.S. News & World Report. Students who graduate from Binghamton go on to earn much more than the national average, with starting salaries averaging nearly $61,000 per year.
Yb20061462 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,299,000
- 10-year net present value: $146,000
- Graduation rate: 85%
- Median debt: $17,750
Founded in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a research institution that also has a strong arts program, offering nearly 5,000 courses across more than 150 fields of study. According to the findings from the 2018-2019 graduating class, 93% secured a first destination of employment, with an average starting salary of $64,000 for those with full-time jobs.
HalloweenHJB // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,299,000
- 10-year net present value: $79,000
- Graduation rate: 66%
- Median debt: $22,500
Wentworth Institute of Technology is a private, technical design and engineering institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. Its students earn a median starting salary of $64,000 a year, and 96% of 2019 graduates accepted a job in their field.
Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,300,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $14,544
The University of California-Los Angeles is a world-famous institution whose graduates go on to score jobs at companies like Amazon, Bloomberg, Apple, Deloitte, Getty, Google, and Teach for America, among others. The Wall Street Journal named it third-best college in the west for student outcomes, meaning how well a college prepares students for life after graduation.
Ranked in the top 50 best universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Pepperdine University has a small undergraduate enrollment of less than 3,600. According to PayScale, graduates earn an average starting salary of $73,824 with an annual ROI of 4.8%.
Brandon Scheirman // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,313,000
- 10-year net present value: $142,000
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Median debt: $21,110
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also known as Virginia Tech, is a public research university based in Blacksburg, Virginia. Its students earn an average starting salary of $75,952 with an annual ROI of 10.3%.
PumpkinSky // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,317,000
- 10-year net present value: $108,000
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Median debt: $19,500
University of Richmond is a private, liberal arts university with undergraduate enrollment of less than 3,500. There was a 96% six-month employment rate for 2019 graduates. The primary fields of employment were financial services, accounting, consulting, and clinical healthcare.
Epdma // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,317,000
- 10-year net present value: $91,000
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Median debt: $23,000
Union College, located in Schenectady, New York, is one of the oldest institutions in America. It was founded in 1795. From the 2019 graduating class, 93.5% reported full-time employment, or graduate school enrollment, or postgraduate fellowships following graduation. The top employment fields were engineering, finance, healthcare, and sales.
UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,322,000
- 10-year net present value: $130,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $15,500
Located in Hamilton, New York, Colgate University is a liberal arts college that has 56 majors rooted in the liberal arts. It is also known for its student to faculty ratio, which is 9:1. According to PayScale, it has an annual ROI of 6.4%, and its graduates go on to land jobs at companies like Ernst & Young, Eastern Research Group, and The Bowdoin Group.
Ohio Northern University is a private institution located in Ada, Ohio. It offers more than 60 academic programs in arts, sciences, business, engineering, law, and pharmacy. Ninety-five percent of students go on to find job placement or continue onto graduate school following graduation.
Bmamlyuk // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,327,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Graduation rate: 57%
- Median debt: $12,250
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona offers degrees in arts, sciences, aviation, business, and engineering. PayScale reports that the university has an annual ROI of 7.2% and its students earn an average starting salary of $82,339.
Aerojimmy // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,328,000
- 10-year net present value: $87,000
- Graduation rate: 61%
- Median debt: $12,250
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott is the Arizona campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The average starting salary is $51,000, according to College Factual, meaning it will take 3.4 years after graduation to break even on the cost of a degree.
Embry-Riddle Prescott // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,330,000
- 10-year net present value: $151,000
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Median debt: $16,500
University of Maryland is a public research university located in College Park, Maryland. According to its recent graduation survey, 95% of UMD bachelor's recipients secured employment, began a graduate program, or had a related outcome within six months of graduation. Eighty-three percent of students participated in at least one internship during their time at the university, as well.
Bgervais // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,333,000
- 10-year net present value: $115,000
- Graduation rate: 73%
- Median debt: $21,500
Located in the Bronx borough of New York City, Manhattan College is a private, liberal arts college known for its more than 100 majors and programs. Eighty-three percent of students gain job-related experiences while attending, which fuels the 87% of alumni who go on to work in their desired fields.
The historic Amherst College was founded in 1821 in Massachusetts. It's a liberal arts college with a need-blind admission policy, meaning Amherst will make the admission decision without considering your need for financial aid. The college meets the full demonstrated need of every admitted student, as well.
Vancho // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $16,778
Located in Brunswick, Maine, Bowdoin is a small, suburban college. According to the Class of 2018 report, 89% of alumni were employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation. Some employers of Bowdoin grads include Amazon, Americorps, Bloomberg, Barclays, Conde Nast, Microsoft, and Apple, among others.
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $158,000
- Graduation rate: data not available
- Median debt: $9,500
Capella University is an online university with 52 degree programs and more than 1,900 online courses. There are approximately 38,000 students enrolled. The average salary for Capella University graduates is nearly $70,000, according to PayScale.
Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $181,000
- Graduation rate: 39%
- Median debt: $5,500
American Public University System is an online learning institution with more than 86,000 active students worldwide. According to PayScale, the average salary for graduates is $68,174. Graduates go on to careers with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, and Caci International Inc., among others.
Augusta University, located in Augusta, Georgia, is a public university and academic medical center. The medical college of the university is the oldest and founding branch of the institution. According to College Factual, the average yearly cost is $28,000 and the average starting salary is $52,000. Based on an average of 4.9 years to graduate, alumni can expect to break even in just 2.6 years.
Stacie Wells // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,363,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median debt: $26,511
Loyola University Maryland is a private, Jesuit liberal arts college in Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 1852. While attending school, more than 80% of students participate in an internship or field experience. Ninety-eight percent of graduates are employed, in graduate school, or completing a year of service within six to nine months of graduation. Recently, an anonymous donor gave $2 million to the university to fund scholarships for undergraduate students.
Rybread // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,364,000
- 10-year net present value: $176,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $18,148
With more than 275 degree programs and 19 schools and colleges, the University of Michigan is one of the largest private institutions in the country. In 2017, 71% of students secured full-time employment after graduation, while 20% went on to further education.
Jha4ceb // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,372,000
- 10-year net present value: $135,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $18,222
Atlanta's Emory University was founded in 1836 and has nine academic divisions across a variety of fields. Its business school is particularly highly reputable, with 96% of graduates receiving offers within three months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $69,036.
Mpspqr // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,374,000
- 10-year net present value: $84,000
- Graduation rate: 70%
- Median debt: $20,500
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University is known for its cooperative education program, which offers students the chance to earn up to 18 months of paid, full-time work experience in a field that pertains to their major. Sixty-four percent of job applicants had at least one job offer upon graduation in 2018. Ninety-six percent of undergraduates were working or enrolled in graduate or professional education within a year of graduation.
The Virginia Military Institute is a public military college in Lexington, Virginia. According to The New York Times, the median family income of students is $120,500. That said, students who attend are likely to move up in income after graduation. In 2017, 17% of students moved up two or more income quintiles.
Zeete // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,377,000
- 10-year net present value: $112,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $15,439
Brown University is one of America's oldest institutions, founded in 1764. Today it is one of the prestigious universities in the Ivy League and one of nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Students who graduate go on to achieve notable careers and titles, the highest percentages of which include director/manager, physician, postgraduate student, and attorney.
Dale182 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,378,000
- 10-year net present value: $161,000
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Median debt: $10,000
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is one of the most exclusive schools in America. It grants degrees in art, architecture, and engineering, located in New York City. The institution awards all admitted undergraduates a half-tuition scholarship. Additional financial aid is awarded on a by-need basis.
Gip3798 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,383,000
- 10-year net present value: $170,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $12,643
University of California-Berkeley is a public research university in Northern California. Its leading areas include the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and the Space Sciences Laboratory. Average starting salary for the class of 2019 was $75,000. Graduates of the College of Engineering had an average starting salary of more than $100,000.
Falcorian // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,385,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Median debt: $25,000
Based in Boston, with campuses all over the country, Northeastern University is known for its co-op (cooperative education) program, which integrates classroom study with professional work experience. As a result, 98% of students are employed or in graduate school within nine months of graduation.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university focused on aviation and aerospace programs. It has campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona. According to PayScale, it has an annual ROI of 7.2%, and the average early-career salary for graduates is $69,200.
Aerojimmy // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,393,000
- 10-year net present value: $94,000
- Graduation rate: 78%
- Median debt: $26,000
Located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Bryant University is composed of two colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business. Most students attend for business, but are required to complete a liberal arts minor. Students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences must also complete a business minor. Ninety-nine percent of the class of 2018 was employed or continuing education within six months of graduation, and $60,000 was the median first-year salary.
Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,409,000
- 10-year net present value: $123,000
- Graduation rate: 89%
- Median debt: $22,500
Lafayette College is a private liberal arts college in Easton, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1826 and is considered a "Hidden Ivy" university. Its graduates go on to secure employment from some of the world’s most reputable companies, including Bank of America Corporation, Deloitte, Fidelity Investments, Pfizer, and Teach For America, among many others.
Shuvaev // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,413,000
- 10-year net present value: $160,000
- Graduation rate: 79%
- Median debt: $16,500
Based in San Luis Obispo, California, California Polytechnic State University is one of two polytechnics in the California State University system. It focuses on undergraduate education, combining technical curriculum with liberal arts. Of the 75% that secured full-time jobs after graduation, 80% of those had job offers before they graduated. Ninety-five percent found jobs related to their majors.
Bucknell University, located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, is a pirate liberal arts college with a college of arts and sciences, a college of management, and a college of engineering. The average starting salary of the class of 2019 was $60,560.
Dbl228 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,418,000
- 10-year net present value: $114,000
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median debt: $21,500
George Washington University, located in Washington D.C., has 10 schools, 70 research centers, and a large network of libraries. According to PayScale, graduates go on to obtain high-paying careers in industries like research analysis and software engineering.
Difference engine // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,420,000
- 10-year net present value: $144,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $14,853
The University of Chicago is a research university that was founded in 1890. It is considered to be one of the top universities in the world for arts and sciences, as well as its professional schools. In particular, UChicago students have an 83-88% acceptance rate at the top 15 law schools and an 80-88% acceptance rate into medical school.
Nicomachian // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,421,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Median debt: $27,000
College of the Holy Cross is a Jesuit liberal arts college located in Massachusetts and offers 42 majors. From the class of 2019, 68% of students are employed full-time. The largest percentage of graduates work in financial services, followed by health care, then government, politics, and law.
Paul Keleher // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,430,000
- 10-year net present value: $185,000
- Graduation rate: 67%
- Median debt: $19,500
Michigan Technological University is a research university located in Houghton, Michigan. Its focus is in engineering, science, computing, business, tech, and more. Through its co-op program, students take their knowledge of their chosen field for a test run, which has helped the 94% placement rating for graduates.
Michigan Technological University // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,448,000
- 10-year net present value: $134,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $18,500
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university renowned for its programs in arts and science, business, design, engineering, law, public health, and more. Seventy-four percent of 2019 grads entered the workforce, securing work in industries like finance and banking, academia, healthcare, technology, and consulting.
Public domain // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,453,000
- 10-year net present value: $169,000
- Graduation rate: 62%
- Median debt: $18,250
The New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university with a renowned engineering college. According to The New York Times, 31% of graduates in 2017 moved up two or more income quintiles, while 6.5% moved from the bottom to the top income quintile.
Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,454,000
- 10-year net present value: $103,000
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median debt: $23,000
The private Jesuit Fairfield University, located in Connecticut, offers degrees across its four colleges. The most popular majors according to Niche.com are nursing, finance, marketing, and accounting. The class of 2019 saw 98% of students secure full-time employment, placement in graduate school, or enrollment in a volunteer service program within six months of graduation.
Stagophile // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,455,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $16,500
Northwestern University is a private institution that was founded in 1851. The most popular majors for undergraduates are economics, journalism, psychology, political science, and neuroscience, according to U.S. News & World Report. Seventy-three percent of the class of 2019 was employed six months after graduation in fields like finance, consulting, engineering, and communications.
Paradoxsociety // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,462,000
- 10-year net present value: $167,000
- Graduation rate: 72%
- Median debt: $22,500
Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Illinois Institute of Technology is a private research university specializing in architecture, business, communications, design, engineering, technology, law, psychology, and science. Mean starting salaries for graduates average $62,274, and graduates go on to gain employment at corporations like Google, Honeywell, Microsoft, and The Boeing Company, among others.
Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a private research university founded in 1873. Sixty-five percent of Vanderbilt students currently receive some form of financial aid, as the university meets 100% of every student's demonstrated financial need without loans.
Stablenode // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,472,000
- 10-year net present value: $129,000
- Graduation rate: 69%
- Median debt: $20,121
Located in Northern California, University of the Pacific's most popular majors include business, management, and marketing; biological and biomedical sciences; and engineering, according to U.S. News & World Report. Ninety-three percent of employed graduates indicate that their current position is related to their career objective.
Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,476,000
- 10-year net present value: $117,000
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Median debt: $18,962
Boston College, founded in 1863, is a private institution located just outside downtown Boston. Its most popular majors, according to U.S. News & World Report, include economics, finance, biology, speech communication, and political science. For the class of 2019, 21% received job offers before first semester senior year. The top employers were Ernst and Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Oracle.
BCLicious // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,492,000
- 10-year net present value: $192,000
- Graduation rate: 56%
- Median debt: $23,041
Neumont College of Computer Science is a for-profit college focused on sculpting the tech minds of the future. All students earn a Bachelor of Science degree focused on computer science. Jobs in the computer science field are projected to grow 15% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Santa Clara University, located in Silicon Valley, has a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, according to U.S. News & World Report. Its most popular majors are business, social sciences, engineering, communication, and psychology. From the class of 2019, 87.9% of graduates are employed. Their median salary is $62,500.
Arnaudh // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,508,000
- 10-year net present value: $136,000
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Median debt: $12,645
Johns Hopkins University, located in Maryland, is a leading private research university recognized for its work in arts and sciences, engineering, medicine, public health, business, and education. According to PayScale, Johns Hopkins University graduates have an average early career salary of $72,800 in industries like software engineering, data science, project management, and mechanical engineering.
Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,516,000
- 10-year net present value: $150,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $13,000
Located in Claremont, California, Claremont McKenna College is a liberal arts college known for its small class sizes—U.S. News & World Report says the student-faculty ratio is 8:1. Its most popular majors include econometrics, political science, experimental psychology, international relations, and accounting. The average full-time salary is more than $63,000 after graduation, with graduates finding jobs in industries like accounting, consulting, government, and medicine.
Craig Stanfill // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,520,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Median debt: $21,250
Located in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California is one of the largest private institutions in the country. That said, it has a highly favorable student-faculty ratio at 8:1. Popular majors include business, social sciences, visual and performing arts, and journalism. According to PayScale, early career salaries average $66,100, with the highest-paying jobs including those in software engineering, project management, and mechanical engineering,.
The Milwaukee School of Engineering is a small school that offers 16 bachelor's degrees, 10 of which are in engineering. The university includes a four-year graduation guarantee, and 96% of graduates are either employed or going to grad school within six months of graduation.
Sulfur // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,543,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Median debt: $16,052
Tufts University, located in Medford, Massachusetts, is comprised of the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering. According to U.S. News & World Report, 68.1% of classes have fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include social sciences, computer and information sciences, engineering, and biomedical sciences. The top industries where graduates land careers are finance, engineering, and life sciences/health.
John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,548,000
- 10-year net present value: $213,000
- Graduation rate: 64%
- Median debt: $16,998
The Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public university where the most popular majors include engineering, computer sciences, biomedical sciences, and physical sciences. The university offers its students career opportunities and employer relations services, which facilitates the relationship between employers and students and alumni by offering on-campus interviews, active recruitment, and jobs posted specifically for S&T students.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,561,000
- 10-year net present value: $146,000
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Median debt: $12,000
Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, is a prestigious private college that is part of the Ivy League. The student-faculty ratio is strong at 7:1, according to U.S. News & World Report. Popular majors include social sciences, engineering, biomedical sciences, computer sciences, and math. More than 52% of graduates have average starting salaries above $70,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,563,000
- 10-year net present value: $103,000
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Median debt: $25,000
Villanova University is known for its programs in business, health, engineering, social sciences, and communication. The average starting salary for the class of 2019 was $62,524, with 75.5% of graduates securing employment after graduation.
Washington and Lee University, located in Lexington, Virginia, is a small, private institution set on 430 acres. Its student-faculty ratio is 8:1 and 76.9% of its classes have fewer than 20 students, according to U.S. News & World Report. Popular majors include economics, business, political science, accounting, and history. Upon graduation, the most common fields where students found employment were financial services, economics, education, and consulting.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,607,000
- 10-year net present value: $160,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $12,305
Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is a large, private institution with more than 1,000 student organizations on campus. Popular majors include engineering, business, biomedical sciences, computer sciences, and agriculture. From the class of 2019, the majority of graduates secured employment in technology, financial services, and consulting. The average starting salary is $66,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,616,000
- 10-year net present value: $113,000
- Graduation rate: 41%
- Median debt: $21,875
The small for-profit school of DigiPen Institute of Technology is located in Redmond, Washington. Its most popular majors include animation, interactive technology, computer programming, virtual environments, and music theory. According to PayScale, graduates go on to secure employment in fields like software engineering, video game programming, and software development.
Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,626,000
- 10-year net present value: $157,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $20,750
University of Notre Dame, located in South Bend, Indiana, is divided into eight schools and colleges. The most popular majors include economics, finance, political science, mechanical engineering, and computer science. According to PayScale, the average early career salary for graduates is $68,300, and graduates go on to secure employment in software engineering, mechanical engineering, and financial analysis.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,642,000
- 10-year net present value: $242,000
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Median debt: $7,500
Princeton University, an Ivy League university located in New Jersey, is one of the most affordable schools in the nation. That's because financial aid covers 100% of tuition for families that earned $65,000 or less. This enabled 82% of recent seniors to graduate without debt.
Kettering University, located in Flint, Michigan, is spread across several colleges, including ones dedicated to engineering, management, and arts & sciences. Undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in the university co-op experience, which has more than 420 partner organizations, putting students front and center with potential employers in their chosen fields.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,665,000
- 10-year net present value: $149,000
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median debt: $27,000
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is one of the leading institutions for engineering. In fact, U.S. News & World Report has named it #1 in undergraduate engineering programs at schools where a doctorate isn’t offered for 22 consecutive years. In addition, 100% of students receive financial aid, scholarships, and grants, and 98% of students had a job within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $73,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,687,000
- 10-year net present value: $150,000
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Median debt: $27,000
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, located near Albany, New York, is a leading institution when it comes to subjects like cybersecurity, big data, nanotechnology, and biotech. PayScale shows an annual ROI of 6.8%, with an early career salary average of $72,600. Graduates go on to careers in software engineering, mechanical engineering, project engineering, and electrical engineering.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,688,000
- 10-year net present value: $153,000
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Median debt: $21,500
Lehigh University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sits on a sprawling 2,355-acre campus. U.S. News & World Report says the most popular majors are finance, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, accounting, and marketing. Ninety-four percent of students complete one or more internships or experiential learning opportunities while attending, and the average starting salary of 2019 graduates was $67,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,725,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Median debt: $27,000
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers more than 50 undergraduate programs in science, engineering, technology, math, business, and the humanities. All students receive a one-time Global Scholarship to complete project work, and the average starting salary for the class of 2019 was more than $72,000.
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university that enrolls about 40,000 students. It is among the nation's largest research universities and receives more than $1 billion each year in research awards. According to PayScale, the annual ROI is 12%, while early career salaries average at $74,500.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,750,000
- 10-year net present value: $183,000
- Graduation rate: 89%
- Median debt: $24,500
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university that continues to rank highly for computer science, technology, information systems, and engineering. Starting salaries for the class of 2019 were significantly higher than the national average, at $90,271. Graduates from Carnegie Mellon have gone on to secure employment at companies like Boeing, Capital One, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and more.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,754,000
- 10-year net present value: $173,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $9,000
Duke University is a North Carolina university with roughly 6,500 undergraduates. The top five majors for the class of 2023 include computer science, economics, public policy, biology, and psychology. This year, Duke has ranked second in the country with the Wall Street Journal for student outcomes, which looks at graduation rate, teaching reputation, graduate salaries, and student debt.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,761,000
- 10-year net present value: $210,000
- Graduation rate: 60%
- Median debt: $20,000
SUNY Maritime College, located in Throggs Neck, New York, is a public institution that was founded in the 19th century. The most popular majors include marine science, mechanical engineering, business, naval architecture, and electrical engineering. According to U.S. News & World Report, the tuition is much lower than the national average for both in-state and out-of-state tuition, and PayScale reports that it has an annual ROI of 13%, with an early career salary average of more than $76,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,769,000
- 10-year net present value: $208,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $18,794
Located in New York City, Columbia University is one of the world's most prestigious universities, established in 1754. The student-faculty ratio is 6:1 and more than 80% of classes have fewer than 20 students, according to U.S. News & World Report. The most popular majors are social sciences, engineering, computer sciences, biomedical sciences, and visual and performing arts. PayScale reports early career salaries are, on average, $76,100.
Yale University is one of the oldest institutions in America. It was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1701. Graduates from the class of 2019 went on to secure employment primarily in finance, academia, consulting, technology, and healthcare. The mean starting salary was $68,472.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,786,000
- 10-year net present value: $158,000
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Median debt: $25,000
Bentley University is a private university located in Waltham, Massachusetts, with a focus on business. Top majors include finance, business administration, business management, and accounting. Graduates have a 98% job placement rate, with a median starting salary of $60,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,794,000
- 10-year net present value: $203,000
- Graduation rate: 77%
- Median debt: $21,915
Colorado School of Mines is a public research university that offers degrees in engineering, science, and math. The career center at the university works to help students maximize their degree. For the 2018-2019 academic year, more than 1,300 organizations recruited or hired at Mines. The average starting salary was $73,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,818,000
- 10-year net present value: $265,000
- Graduation rate: 63%
- Median debt: $20,500
California State University Maritime Academy, located near San Francisco, offers degrees in international business and logistics, facilities engineering technology, global studies and maritime affairs, marine engineering technology, marine transportation or mechanical engineering. It has the highest job placement rates of the 23 California State Universities, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The University of Pennsylvania aims to make its high-quality education affordable for all. The grant-based financial aid program meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants and work-study funding. The average starting salary for the class of 2019 was $77,500.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,833,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Median debt: $26,000
Stevens Institute of Technology is a leading university in the fields of artificial intelligence, computing, finance, medicine, nanotechnology, and more. Seventy-seven percent of seniors from the class of 2020 finalized their postgraduate outcomes prior to graduation, and 95% secured jobs within six months. The average starting salary was $77,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,851,000
- 10-year net present value: $187,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $21,254
Harvey Mudd College, located in Claremont, California, is a small institution and is one of the country's top STEM schools. It offers a Bachelor of Science degree to its graduates, and 57% of its classes have fewer than 20 students, according to U.S. News & World Report. Graduates’ median starting salary is $87,500.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,869,000
- 10-year net present value: $246,000
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Median debt: $23,250
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a leading institution in the fields of engineering, maritime business, marine transportation, and marine science safety. According to PayScale, there is an annual ROI of 11.9% and the early career salary is $68,600. Graduates go on to obtain careers as project managers, port engineers, environmental health and safety managers, and operations managers.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,949,000
- 10-year net present value: $298,000
- Graduation rate: 78%
- Median debt: $6,500
United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy known for its four-year program that includes service at sea, maritime employment ashore, and serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Federal Government pays the majority of costs for students enrolled in the academy, including tuition, room and board, uniforms, textbooks, and healthcare.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,967,000
- 10-year net present value: $286,000
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Median debt: $7,000
Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It was established in 1636 and its library has the largest private collection in the world. Harvard University provides need-based aid, regardless of ability to pay. As a result, 20% of students pay nothing to attend, while more than 50% receive need-based scholarships.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,985,000
- 10-year net present value: $184,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $24,875
Babson College is a highly rated business school that offers all undergraduates a Bachelor of Science degree. From the 2019 graduating class, 99% were employed or attended graduate school within six months of graduation. Five percent of graduating students started their own business within six months of graduating, and 90% of students had at least one internship during their time there.
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- 40-year net present value: $2,043,000
- 10-year net present value: $251,000
- Graduation rate: 66%
- Median debt: $27,000
Maine Maritime Academy, located in Castine, Maine, is a public college focused on maritime training. U.S. News & World Report says that the most popular majors are naval architecture and marine engineering, marine science, engineering technologies, international business, and systems engineering. According to PayScale, the average starting salary is $67,600, with an ROI of 11%.
Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, was founded in 1885 and is a private research university, excelling in engineering, computer sciences, social sciences, and math. The university works to make education affordable for all. Tuition is fully covered for undergrads with family incomes below $150,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $2,273,000
- 10-year net present value: $311,000
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Median debt: $15,346
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an internationally renowned institution for STEM studies. It is one of five U.S. colleges that is need-blind and full-need for undergraduate students. Six out of 10 students receive financial aid, and seven in ten graduate debt-free. For 2019 graduates entering industry positions, the average starting salary was $98,741.
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- 40-year net present value: $2,421,000
- 10-year net present value: $247,000
- Graduation rate: 76%
- Median debt: $25,000
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health is a private university focused on medical and health-related programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be roughly 2.4 million new jobs in healthcare through 2029. According to PayScale, the average early career salary is $65,300.
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- 40-year net present value: $2,714,000
- 10-year net present value: $389,000
- Graduation rate: 72%
- Median debt: $19,500
St. Louis College of Pharmacy is a small school in Missouri with an enrollment of less than 400 students. According to Niche, the most popular majors include biomedical sciences and molecular medicine and liberal arts and humanities. Alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $120,400.
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- 40-year net present value: $2,722,000
- 10-year net present value: $385,000
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Median debt: $25,000
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health, located in Albany, New York, is the best value college in America with the most favorable return on investment. According to PayScale, the return on investment is 9.4%, with an early career salary of $77,700. Graduates have gone on to work for CVS, Wal-Mart. and RBC Wealth Management.
Red metal sculpture by artist Mark di Suvero and the iconic Stata Center by architect Frank Gehry on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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50 colleges with the best ROI
50 colleges with the best ROI
They say the college years are the best of your life. They shape how you see the world, the passions you wish to pursue, and the person you hope to be. College is a significant financial investment, but much more than an emotional, personal, and professional starting point.
In the last 19 years, the cost of attending a public, in-state college has increased by 29% when adjusted for inflation, according to a September 2025 report from U.S. News and World Report. As of August 2025, private colleges cost an average of $56,628 per year, and public ones cost $27,146. After four years, and in many cases five to six years, that cost can stack up significantly, so you will want to ensure that you're putting your dollars into an institution that will make it worthwhile. Luckily, those with bachelor's degrees earn about $40,500 more annually than those without, reports the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities. However, some colleges have a higher return on investment than others.
Stacker compiled a list of the nonprofit colleges with the best return on investment, using a 2025 study by Ban Cheah, Martin Van Der Werf, Catherine Morris, and Jeff Strohl at Georgetown University. Colleges that primarily issue bachelor's degrees were considered. Colleges are ranked by the highest 40-year ROI, with ties broken by 10-year ROI. The study considered net present value, balancing today's costs against future earnings.
Universities specializing in STEM studies (science, technology, engineering, and math) tend to have a higher return on investment for their graduates. STEM has gained ground over the past 10 years as more and more careers need science and tech knowledge. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 10.8 million STEM jobs in 2024, representing more than 6% of employment in the United States. Moreover, those in STEM occupations earn a median annual wage of $103,580, more than double the average yearly salary of $49,500.
Colleges that focus on pharmaceuticals also show strong returns on investment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024, there were more than 335,000 pharmacist jobs, and the median wage was $137,480.
Now it's time to look at the colleges that cut. Keep reading to see the 100 colleges with the best ROI. Is your college on the list?
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#50. Bryant University
- 40-year net present value: $3,016,000
- 10-year net present value: $203,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Bryant University has three colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and the College of Business. Most students attend for marketing, finance, or business but must complete a liberal arts or health and behavioral sciences minor. Students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences must also complete a business minor. According to Bryant University, 99% of recent graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation, and $76,000 was the median first-year salary for students in the Class of 2024.
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#49. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- 40-year net present value: $3,016,000
- 10-year net present value: $318,000
- School type: Public
Based in San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University is one of three polytechnics in the California State University system. Cal Poly SLO focuses on undergraduate education, with one program combining technical curriculum with liberal arts. According to data from Niche, 96% of Cal Poly SLO grads secured full-time jobs within a year of graduation, and 90% of students stated that the college's career center helped during the job search process.
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#48. Maine Maritime Academy
- 40-year net present value: $3,033,000
- 10-year net present value: $347,000
- School type: Public
Maine Maritime Academy, located in Castine, Maine, is a public college focused on maritime training and the sciences. U.S. News & World Report says that the most popular majors are naval architecture and marine engineering, marine science, energy systems technology, international business, and marine biology. According to PayScale, the average starting salary is $108,000 per year.
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#47. Brown University
- 40-year net present value: $3,043,000
- 10-year net present value: $282,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Brown University is one of America's oldest institutions, founded in 1764. Today it is one of the prestigious universities in the Ivy League and one of nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Graduate students, such as former U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, achieve notable careers and titles.
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#46. Manhattan University
- 40-year net present value: $3,061,000
- 10-year net present value: $244,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Located in the Bronx borough of New York City, Manhattan University is a private, liberal arts college known for its more than 100 majors and programs. On average, 78% percent of students gain job-related experiences while attending, which fuels the 87% of alums who go on to work in their desired fields.
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#45. Northeastern University
- 40-year net present value: $3,068,000
- 10-year net present value: $275,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Based in Boston, with campuses nationwide, Northeastern University is known for its co-op (cooperative education) program, which integrates classroom study with professional work experience. As a result, 97% of students are employed or in graduate school within nine months of graduation.
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#44. Rice University
- 40-year net present value: $3,077,000
- 10-year net present value: $334,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Rice University is a Houston-based research university with an emphasis on applied science, space science, and nanotechnology. After graduating, 94% of students are employed within a year. Most students pursue careers in information sciences, biology, and economics.
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#43. United States Merchant Marine Academy
- 40-year net present value: $3,078,000
- 10-year net present value: $453,000
- School type: Public
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy known for its four-year program that includes training for service at sea, serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces, and maritime employment ashore. The federal government covers most of the costs of attendance for students enrolled in the academy, including tuition, room and board, uniforms, textbooks, and health care.
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#42. SUNY Maritime College
- 40-year net present value: $3,092,000
- 10-year net present value: $340,000
- School type: Public
SUNY Maritime College, located in Throggs Neck, New York, is a public institution founded in the 19th century. The most popular majors include marine science, mechanical engineering, business support services, and electrical engineering. Niche reports that as of 2025, SUNY Maritime College graduates make a median salary of more than $78,500 within a year of graduation, above the national median of roughly $62,000.
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#41. University of Southern California
- 40-year net present value: $3,097,000
- 10-year net present value: $272,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Located in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California is one of the largest private institutions in the country. It has a highly favorable student-faculty ratio at 8:1. Popular majors include management and information sciences, biology, and computer science. Niche says the median early career salary is $63,275 within a year of graduation, though median earnings jump to $91,408 after five years.
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#40. University of California-Berkeley
- 40-year net present value: $3,099,000
- 10-year net present value: $331,000
- School type: Public
The University of California-Berkeley is a public research university in Northern California. Its leading areas include the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and the Space Sciences Laboratory. The median starting salary for UC Berkeley grads is $57,445 per year as of 2025.
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#39. Washington University in St. Louis
- 40-year net present value: $3,159,000
- 10-year net present value: $309,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university renowned for its arts and sciences, business, design, engineering, law, public health, and more programs. According to 2025 data from Niche, 94% of graduates were employed within a year of graduating, with median earnings of more than $57,600.
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#38. Johns Hopkins University
- 40-year net present value: $3,163,000
- 10-year net present value: $347,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Johns Hopkins University, located in Maryland, is a leading private research university that offers degrees in the arts and sciences, engineering, public health, and more. According to PayScale, Johns Hopkins University graduates have an average base salary of $99,000, with many graduates working as software engineers, data scientists, and mechanical engineers.
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#37. Fairfield University
- 40-year net present value: $3,180,000
- 10-year net present value: $181,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
The private, Jesuit Fairfield University in Connecticut offers degrees across its five colleges. The most popular majors according to Niche are nursing, finance, marketing, and accounting. The class of 2024 saw 98% of students secure full-time employment, placement in graduate school, or enrollment in a volunteer service program within six months of graduation.
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#36. Lafayette College
- 40-year net present value: $3,193,000
- 10-year net present value: $232,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Lafayette College is a private liberal arts college in Easton, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1826 and is considered a "Hidden Ivy" university. Its graduates secure employment from some of the world's most reputable companies, including Facebook, Google, and ExxonMobil, among many others.
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#35. Kettering University
- 40-year net present value: $3,237,000
- 10-year net present value: $266,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Kettering University, located in Flint, Michigan, is spread across several colleges, including ones dedicated to engineering, management, and the arts and sciences. Undergraduates can participate in the university co-op experience, which has more than 550 partner organizations, putting students front and center with potential employers in their chosen fields.
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#34. University of Notre Dame
- 40-year net present value: $3,248,000
- 10-year net present value: $317,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
The University of Notre Dame, located in South Bend, Indiana, is divided into eight schools and colleges. The most popular majors include economics, finance, political science, and mathematics. According to PayScale, the average base salary for graduates is $95,000, and graduates often secure employment in software engineering, mechanical engineering, and data analysis.
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#33. California State University Maritime Academy
- 40-year net present value: $3,262,000
- 10-year net present value: $376,000
- School type: Public
California State University Maritime Academy, located near San Francisco, offers degrees in various fields, including business administration, oceanography, and mechanical engineering. With just 761 enrolled students, CSU Maritime Academy has a 10:1 student-teacher ratio.
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#32. Villanova University
- 40-year net present value: $3,268,000
- 10-year net present value: $245,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Villanova University is known for its business, health, engineering, social sciences, and communication programs. The average salary for the class of 2024 was nearly $80,000, with 72.5% of graduates securing employment after graduation.
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#31. Boston College
- 40-year net present value: $3,287,000
- 10-year net present value: $258,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Boston College, founded in 1863, is a private institution outside downtown Boston. According to U.S. News & World Report, its most popular majors include economics, finance, biology, speech communication, and political science. Around 75% of the class of 2024 entered the workforce after graduation, with 35% of those new grads entering the financial services industry.
Jay Yuan // Shutterstock
#30. Dartmouth College
- 40-year net present value: $3,298,000
- 10-year net present value: $295,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, is a prestigious private college in the Ivy League. The student-faculty ratio is strong at 6:1, according to U.S. News & World Report. Popular majors include social sciences, engineering, biomedical, computer, and math. Dartmouth grads earn an average base salary of $104,000 per year, according to PayScale.
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#29. Colorado School of Mines
- 40-year net present value: $3,328,000
- 10-year net present value: $314,000
- School type: Public
Colorado School of Mines is a public research university offering engineering, science, and math degrees. The career center at the university works to help students maximize their degree. According to the School of Mines, 73% of students gain technical experience in their field before graduation, provided by 585 partner organizations.
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#28. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- 40-year net present value: $3,347,000
- 10-year net present value: $276,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is one of the leading engineering institutions. In fact, U.S. News & World Report has named it #1 in undergraduate engineering programs for 27 consecutive years. In addition, 100% of students receive some form of financial aid, and 95% of the Class of 2024 had a job or graduate school placement within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $82,817.
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#27. Duke University
- 40-year net present value: $3,371,000
- 10-year net present value: $308,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Duke University is a North Carolina university with roughly 6,500 undergraduates. The top majors include computer science, nursing, and the liberal arts and humanities. Duke also ranks as the #2 college in the country for Nursing, Public Policy, and Public Health, according to Niche.
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#26. Santa Clara University
- 40-year net present value: $3,381,000
- 10-year net present value: $268,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Santa Clara University, located in Silicon Valley, has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1, according to U.S. News & World Report. Its most popular majors are finance, communications, and psychology. As of 2025, 86% of graduates are employed, with a median starting salary of $53,000.
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#25. Yale University
- 40-year net present value: $3,381,000
- 10-year net present value: $364,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Yale University is one of the oldest institutions in America. It was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1701. Graduates from the class of 2024 went on to secure employment primarily in finance, academia, consulting, technology, and health care. The mean annual starting salary was $75,226.
Heidi Besen // Shutterstock
#24. Harvard University
- 40-year net present value: $3,382,000
- 10-year net present value: $392,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It was established in 1636, and its library has the most extensive private collection in the world. Harvard University provides need-based aid, regardless of ability to pay. Students whose families earn less than $100,000 pay nothing to attend, and 55% receive need-based scholarships.
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#23. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- 40-year net present value: $3,408,000
- 10-year net present value: $258,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers over 70 undergraduate programs in science, engineering, technology, math, business, and the humanities. All students receive a one-time Global Scholarship to complete project work, and the average starting salary for the class of 2024 was nearly $80,300.
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#22. Cornell University
- 40-year net present value: $3,424,000
- 10-year net present value: $333,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is a large, private institution with more than 1,000 student organizations. Popular majors include computer science, hospitality, and biology. From the class of 2024, most graduates secured employment in technology, financial services, and consulting. The average starting salary is $85,503.
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#21. Columbia University in the City of New York
- 40-year net present value: $3,430,000
- 10-year net present value: $364,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Located in New York City and established in 1754, Columbia University is one of the world's most prestigious universities. The student-faculty ratio is 6:1, according to U.S. News & World Report. The most popular majors are computer science, economics, and political science. PayScale reports that base salaries for Columbia University graduates are, on average, $96,000.
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#20. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- 40-year net present value: $3,437,000
- 10-year net present value: $407,000
- School type: Public
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university with about 53,000 students. It is among the nation's leading research universities and receives nearly $1.4 billion yearly in research awards. According to PayScale, the average annual base salary for graduates is $101,000.
Barbara Kalbfleisch // Shutterstock
#19. Claremont McKenna College
- 40-year net present value: $3,444,000
- 10-year net present value: $389,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Located in Claremont, California, Claremont McKenna College is a liberal arts college known for its small class sizes—U.S. News & World Report says the student-faculty ratio is 8:1. Its most popular majors include econometrics, political science, experimental psychology, and international relations. The average full-time salary is more than $83,000 after graduation, with graduates finding accounting, consulting, and technology jobs.
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#18. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- 40-year net present value: $3,446,000
- 10-year net present value: $297,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, located near Albany, New York, is a leading institution in cybersecurity, big data, nanotechnology, and biotech. PayScale shows an average base salary of $98,000. Graduates go on to careers in software engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, and architectural design.
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#17. Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- 40-year net present value: $3,458,000
- 10-year net present value: $323,000
- School type: Public
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a leading institution in engineering, maritime business, marine transportation, and marine science safety. According to PayScale, the average base salary is $87,000. Graduates pursue careers as facilities managers, service engineers, and operations managers.
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#16. Georgetown University
- 40-year net present value: $3,475,000
- 10-year net present value: $275,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Located in Washington D.C., Georgetown University is a private Jesuit university. Roughly 65% of classes have fewer than 20 students, according to U.S. News & World Report. Popular majors include international relations, political science and government, and finance. Ninety-six percent of graduates from 2024 have gone on to secure employment. The top employers included Amazon, Deloitte, and Morgan Stanley.
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#15. Lehigh University
- 40-year net present value: $3,486,000
- 10-year net present value: $325,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Lehigh University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sits on a sprawling 2,355-acre campus. U.S. News & World Report says the most popular majors include finance, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and psychology. Sixty-seven percent of students in the Class of 2024 secured employment after graduation, with 23% going on to higher education, and the average starting salary was $74,000.
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#14. Stevens Institute of Technology
- 40-year net present value: $3,603,000
- 10-year net present value: $304,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Stevens Institute of Technology is a leading university in artificial intelligence, computing, finance, medicine, nanotechnology, and more. Nearly 97% of seniors from the class of 2024 finalized their postgraduate outcomes before graduation. The average starting salary was $84,800.
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#13. Bentley University
- 40-year net present value: $3,830,000
- 10-year net present value: $312,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Bentley University is a private university in Waltham, Massachusetts, focusing on business. Top majors include finance, business, and accounting. Graduates have a 98% job placement rate, with a median starting salary of $73,000.
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#12. Carnegie Mellon University
- 40-year net present value: $3,855,000
- 10-year net present value: $363,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university that continues to rank highly for computer science, engineering, and mathematics. Starting salaries for the class of 2024 were significantly higher than the national average, at $124,107. Graduates from Carnegie Mellon have secured employment at companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, and more.
Yingna Cai // Shutterstock
#11. Babson College
- 40-year net present value: $3,862,000
- 10-year net present value: $353,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Babson College is a highly rated business school offering undergraduates a Bachelor of Science degree. From the 2024 graduating class, around 98% were employed or attended graduate school within six months of graduation. Roughly 85% of students had at least one internship at Babson.
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#10. Stanford University
- 40-year net present value: $3,872,000
- 10-year net present value: $509,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, was founded in 1885 and is a private research university, excelling in engineering, computer sciences, psychology, and economics. The university works to make education affordable for all. Tuition is fully covered for undergrads with family incomes below $150,000.
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#9. California Institute of Technology
- 40-year net present value: $3,903,000
- 10-year net present value: $627,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
The California Institute of Technology is known for its student-faculty ratio, which, according to U.S. News & World Report, is 3:1. This Pasadena college is world-renowned for its science and engineering programs. The Career Development Center helps students by hosting several in-person and virtual career fairs, which bring in 100 recruiters from various fields. According to PayScale, graduates earn an average base salary of $114,000 annually.
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#8. University of Pennsylvania
- 40-year net present value: $3,920,000
- 10-year net present value: $375,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
The University of Pennsylvania aims to make its high-quality education affordable for all. The grant-based financial aid program meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants and work-study funding. The median starting salary for the class of 2023 was $100,000.
Oleg Kovtun Hydrobio // Shutterstock
#7. Princeton University
- 40-year net present value: $3,949,000
- 10-year net present value: $477,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Princeton University, an Ivy League university located in New Jersey, is one of the most affordable schools in the nation. That's because financial aid covers 100% of tuition for families that earn $150,000 or less. This enabled 90% of recent seniors to graduate without debt.
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#6. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
- 40-year net present value: $4,160,000
- 10-year net present value: $483,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
A small, STEM-focused school with a total enrollment of less than 500 students, Olin College of Engineering is located in Needham, Massachusetts. Annual tuition alone clocked in at more than $64,500 for the 2025-26 school year, but around 43% of students typically receive financial aid. After graduation, the Class of 2024 went on to earn an average starting salary of almost $90,500.
David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe // Getty Images
#5. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- 40-year net present value: $4,239,000
- 10-year net present value: $336,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a private university focused on medical and health-related programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be roughly 1.9 million new jobs in health care every year through 2034. According to PayScale, the average yearly salary for graduates is $103,000.
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union // Getty Images
#4. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- 40-year net present value: $4,447,000
- 10-year net present value: $492,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health, located in Albany, New York, is a private, independent university that trains the next generation of health care professionals. According to PayScale, the average graduate earns $121,000 per year.
Diego Grandi // Shutterstock
#3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- 40-year net present value: $4,484,000
- 10-year net present value: $579,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an internationally renowned institution for STEM studies. It is need-blind and full-need for undergraduate students. Six out of 10 students receive financial aid, and almost 88% of the Class of 2025 graduated debt-free. The average starting salary for 2025 graduates entering industry positions was $126,438.
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#2. Harvey Mudd College
- 40-year net present value: $4,506,000
- 10-year net present value: $476,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
Harvey Mudd College, located in Claremont, California, is a small institution and is one of the country's top STEM schools. It offers a Bachelor of Science degree to its graduates, and 63% of its classes have fewer than 20 students, according to U.S. News & World Report. Graduates' median starting salary is $112,500.
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#1. University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
- 40-year net present value: $4,562,000
- 10-year net present value: $502,000
- School type: Private nonprofit
This private university has a small enrollment of less than 700, which allows for a strong student-teacher ratio of 7:1. According to U.S. News & World Report, the median salary for UHSP students is $116,360 within six years of graduation. The university has a robust career services center assists current students and alumni during the job search process.
Data reporting by Rob Powell. Story editing by Cu Fleshman. Copy editing by Paris Close.
They say the college years are the best of your life. They shape the way you see the world, the passions you wish to pursue, and the person you hope to be. But much more than an emotional, personal, and professional starting point, college is a significant financial investment.
In the last 10 years, the cost of college has gone up by more than 25%, according to CNBC. For the 2019 academic year, private colleges cost an average of $48,510 per year, and public ones cost $21,370. After four years, and in many cases five to six years, that cost can stack up significantly, so you’re going to want to ensure that you’re putting your dollars into an institution that is going to make it worth your while. Luckily, those who have a bachelor’s degree earn about $32,000 more annually than those without, reports the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities. But some colleges have a higher return on investment than others.
Stacker compiled a list of the colleges with the best return on investment, using a 2019 study by Anthony P. Carnevale, Ban Cheah, and Martin Van Der Werf at Georgetown University. Colleges that primarily issue bachelor’s degrees were considered. Colleges are ranked by the highest 40-year ROI, with ties broken by 10-year ROI. The study considered net present value, balancing today's costs against future earnings.
Universities that specialize in STEM studies (science, technology, engineering, and math) tend to have a higher return on investment for their graduates. STEM has gained ground over the past 10 years as more and more careers have a need for science and tech knowledge. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 8.5 million STEM jobs in 2015, which represented 6.2% of employment in the United States. Ninety-three percent of STEM occupations have wages above the national average, as well.
Colleges that focus in pharmaceuticals also show the strongest return on investment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 there were more than 300,000 pharmacist jobs, and the median wage was $128,090.
Now it's time to take a look at the colleges that made the cut. Keep reading to see the 100 colleges with the best ROI. Is your college on the list?
North Carolina's Wake Forest University is composed of six separate schools on a 340-acre campus. It is renowned for its sports program, as well as its graduate programs in law, business, and medicine. It's ranked #28 on U.S. News & World Report's 2021 edition of Best Colleges.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,283,000
- 10-year net present value: $189,000
- Graduation rate: 58%
- Median debt: $18,750
The University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus is a small institution with an enrollment of less than 1,000. Roughly 58% of its graduates go on to full-time employment, while 23% pursue higher education. The mean starting salary for graduates is $55,390.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,288,000
- 10-year net present value: $193,000
- Graduation rate: 61%
- Median debt: $18,750
The University of Connecticut-Stamford campus is located in Fairfield County, with close proximity to New York City and the major metropolises of the tri-state area. As such, the university allows for internships, field placements, and jobs with Fortune 500 companies, investment and banking institutions, community agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Fifty-seven percent of students who graduated in 2019 reported finding full-time employment, while 28% were seeking graduate programs, according to the Hartford Courant.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,288,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Graduation rate: 52%
- Median debt: $16,625
Maryland's Capitol Technology University specializes in niche areas like aviation, data science, computational systems, cybersecurity, security intelligence, and engineering, among others. Eighty percent of full-time students receive some form of financial aid, and 82% had job offers (or pursued graduate school) within 90 days of commencement.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,291,000
- 10-year net present value: $144,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $16,500
The University of Virginia, founded in 1819, is one of the top nationally ranked schools, known for its academic medical center, research, arts, and athletics programs. According to its 2019 First Destinations Report, 67% of graduates went on to full-time employment, while 15% went on to continuing education. The internet and software industry received the highest percentage of graduates, with 13% of graduates finding careers there.
Boston University has more than 300 programs of academic study, making it one of the most comprehensive undergraduate programs in the country. The proof is in the pudding, as many students go on to lucrative careers in finance, technology, consulting, and more. The average base salary of graduates is $60,889.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,298,000
- 10-year net present value: $143,000
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Median debt: $16,750
New York state's Binghamton University is a public university founded in 1946. It's a fairly large university with an undergraduate enrollment of more than 14,000, according to U.S. News & World Report. Students who graduate from Binghamton go on to earn much more than the national average, with starting salaries averaging nearly $61,000 per year.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,299,000
- 10-year net present value: $146,000
- Graduation rate: 85%
- Median debt: $17,750
Founded in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a research institution that also has a strong arts program, offering nearly 5,000 courses across more than 150 fields of study. According to the findings from the 2018-2019 graduating class, 93% secured a first destination of employment, with an average starting salary of $64,000 for those with full-time jobs.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,299,000
- 10-year net present value: $79,000
- Graduation rate: 66%
- Median debt: $22,500
Wentworth Institute of Technology is a private, technical design and engineering institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. Its students earn a median starting salary of $64,000 a year, and 96% of 2019 graduates accepted a job in their field.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,300,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $14,544
The University of California-Los Angeles is a world-famous institution whose graduates go on to score jobs at companies like Amazon, Bloomberg, Apple, Deloitte, Getty, Google, and Teach for America, among others. The Wall Street Journal named it third-best college in the west for student outcomes, meaning how well a college prepares students for life after graduation.
Ranked in the top 50 best universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Pepperdine University has a small undergraduate enrollment of less than 3,600. According to PayScale, graduates earn an average starting salary of $73,824 with an annual ROI of 4.8%.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,313,000
- 10-year net present value: $142,000
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Median debt: $21,110
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also known as Virginia Tech, is a public research university based in Blacksburg, Virginia. Its students earn an average starting salary of $75,952 with an annual ROI of 10.3%.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,317,000
- 10-year net present value: $108,000
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Median debt: $19,500
University of Richmond is a private, liberal arts university with undergraduate enrollment of less than 3,500. There was a 96% six-month employment rate for 2019 graduates. The primary fields of employment were financial services, accounting, consulting, and clinical healthcare.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,317,000
- 10-year net present value: $91,000
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Median debt: $23,000
Union College, located in Schenectady, New York, is one of the oldest institutions in America. It was founded in 1795. From the 2019 graduating class, 93.5% reported full-time employment, or graduate school enrollment, or postgraduate fellowships following graduation. The top employment fields were engineering, finance, healthcare, and sales.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,322,000
- 10-year net present value: $130,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $15,500
Located in Hamilton, New York, Colgate University is a liberal arts college that has 56 majors rooted in the liberal arts. It is also known for its student to faculty ratio, which is 9:1. According to PayScale, it has an annual ROI of 6.4%, and its graduates go on to land jobs at companies like Ernst & Young, Eastern Research Group, and The Bowdoin Group.
Ohio Northern University is a private institution located in Ada, Ohio. It offers more than 60 academic programs in arts, sciences, business, engineering, law, and pharmacy. Ninety-five percent of students go on to find job placement or continue onto graduate school following graduation.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,327,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Graduation rate: 57%
- Median debt: $12,250
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona offers degrees in arts, sciences, aviation, business, and engineering. PayScale reports that the university has an annual ROI of 7.2% and its students earn an average starting salary of $82,339.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,328,000
- 10-year net present value: $87,000
- Graduation rate: 61%
- Median debt: $12,250
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott is the Arizona campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The average starting salary is $51,000, according to College Factual, meaning it will take 3.4 years after graduation to break even on the cost of a degree.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,330,000
- 10-year net present value: $151,000
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Median debt: $16,500
University of Maryland is a public research university located in College Park, Maryland. According to its recent graduation survey, 95% of UMD bachelor's recipients secured employment, began a graduate program, or had a related outcome within six months of graduation. Eighty-three percent of students participated in at least one internship during their time at the university, as well.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,333,000
- 10-year net present value: $115,000
- Graduation rate: 73%
- Median debt: $21,500
Located in the Bronx borough of New York City, Manhattan College is a private, liberal arts college known for its more than 100 majors and programs. Eighty-three percent of students gain job-related experiences while attending, which fuels the 87% of alumni who go on to work in their desired fields.
The historic Amherst College was founded in 1821 in Massachusetts. It's a liberal arts college with a need-blind admission policy, meaning Amherst will make the admission decision without considering your need for financial aid. The college meets the full demonstrated need of every admitted student, as well.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $16,778
Located in Brunswick, Maine, Bowdoin is a small, suburban college. According to the Class of 2018 report, 89% of alumni were employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation. Some employers of Bowdoin grads include Amazon, Americorps, Bloomberg, Barclays, Conde Nast, Microsoft, and Apple, among others.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $158,000
- Graduation rate: data not available
- Median debt: $9,500
Capella University is an online university with 52 degree programs and more than 1,900 online courses. There are approximately 38,000 students enrolled. The average salary for Capella University graduates is nearly $70,000, according to PayScale.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $181,000
- Graduation rate: 39%
- Median debt: $5,500
American Public University System is an online learning institution with more than 86,000 active students worldwide. According to PayScale, the average salary for graduates is $68,174. Graduates go on to careers with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, and Caci International Inc., among others.
Augusta University, located in Augusta, Georgia, is a public university and academic medical center. The medical college of the university is the oldest and founding branch of the institution. According to College Factual, the average yearly cost is $28,000 and the average starting salary is $52,000. Based on an average of 4.9 years to graduate, alumni can expect to break even in just 2.6 years.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,363,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median debt: $26,511
Loyola University Maryland is a private, Jesuit liberal arts college in Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 1852. While attending school, more than 80% of students participate in an internship or field experience. Ninety-eight percent of graduates are employed, in graduate school, or completing a year of service within six to nine months of graduation. Recently, an anonymous donor gave $2 million to the university to fund scholarships for undergraduate students.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,364,000
- 10-year net present value: $176,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $18,148
With more than 275 degree programs and 19 schools and colleges, the University of Michigan is one of the largest private institutions in the country. In 2017, 71% of students secured full-time employment after graduation, while 20% went on to further education.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,372,000
- 10-year net present value: $135,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $18,222
Atlanta's Emory University was founded in 1836 and has nine academic divisions across a variety of fields. Its business school is particularly highly reputable, with 96% of graduates receiving offers within three months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $69,036.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,374,000
- 10-year net present value: $84,000
- Graduation rate: 70%
- Median debt: $20,500
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University is known for its cooperative education program, which offers students the chance to earn up to 18 months of paid, full-time work experience in a field that pertains to their major. Sixty-four percent of job applicants had at least one job offer upon graduation in 2018. Ninety-six percent of undergraduates were working or enrolled in graduate or professional education within a year of graduation.
The Virginia Military Institute is a public military college in Lexington, Virginia. According to The New York Times, the median family income of students is $120,500. That said, students who attend are likely to move up in income after graduation. In 2017, 17% of students moved up two or more income quintiles.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,377,000
- 10-year net present value: $112,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $15,439
Brown University is one of America's oldest institutions, founded in 1764. Today it is one of the prestigious universities in the Ivy League and one of nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Students who graduate go on to achieve notable careers and titles, the highest percentages of which include director/manager, physician, postgraduate student, and attorney.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,378,000
- 10-year net present value: $161,000
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Median debt: $10,000
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is one of the most exclusive schools in America. It grants degrees in art, architecture, and engineering, located in New York City. The institution awards all admitted undergraduates a half-tuition scholarship. Additional financial aid is awarded on a by-need basis.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,383,000
- 10-year net present value: $170,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $12,643
University of California-Berkeley is a public research university in Northern California. Its leading areas include the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and the Space Sciences Laboratory. Average starting salary for the class of 2019 was $75,000. Graduates of the College of Engineering had an average starting salary of more than $100,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,385,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Median debt: $25,000
Based in Boston, with campuses all over the country, Northeastern University is known for its co-op (cooperative education) program, which integrates classroom study with professional work experience. As a result, 98% of students are employed or in graduate school within nine months of graduation.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university focused on aviation and aerospace programs. It has campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona. According to PayScale, it has an annual ROI of 7.2%, and the average early-career salary for graduates is $69,200.
Aerojimmy // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,393,000
- 10-year net present value: $94,000
- Graduation rate: 78%
- Median debt: $26,000
Located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Bryant University is composed of two colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business. Most students attend for business, but are required to complete a liberal arts minor. Students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences must also complete a business minor. Ninety-nine percent of the class of 2018 was employed or continuing education within six months of graduation, and $60,000 was the median first-year salary.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,409,000
- 10-year net present value: $123,000
- Graduation rate: 89%
- Median debt: $22,500
Lafayette College is a private liberal arts college in Easton, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1826 and is considered a "Hidden Ivy" university. Its graduates go on to secure employment from some of the world’s most reputable companies, including Bank of America Corporation, Deloitte, Fidelity Investments, Pfizer, and Teach For America, among many others.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,413,000
- 10-year net present value: $160,000
- Graduation rate: 79%
- Median debt: $16,500
Based in San Luis Obispo, California, California Polytechnic State University is one of two polytechnics in the California State University system. It focuses on undergraduate education, combining technical curriculum with liberal arts. Of the 75% that secured full-time jobs after graduation, 80% of those had job offers before they graduated. Ninety-five percent found jobs related to their majors.
Bucknell University, located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, is a pirate liberal arts college with a college of arts and sciences, a college of management, and a college of engineering. The average starting salary of the class of 2019 was $60,560.
Dbl228 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,418,000
- 10-year net present value: $114,000
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median debt: $21,500
George Washington University, located in Washington D.C., has 10 schools, 70 research centers, and a large network of libraries. According to PayScale, graduates go on to obtain high-paying careers in industries like research analysis and software engineering.
Difference engine // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,420,000
- 10-year net present value: $144,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $14,853
The University of Chicago is a research university that was founded in 1890. It is considered to be one of the top universities in the world for arts and sciences, as well as its professional schools. In particular, UChicago students have an 83-88% acceptance rate at the top 15 law schools and an 80-88% acceptance rate into medical school.
Nicomachian // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,421,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Median debt: $27,000
College of the Holy Cross is a Jesuit liberal arts college located in Massachusetts and offers 42 majors. From the class of 2019, 68% of students are employed full-time. The largest percentage of graduates work in financial services, followed by health care, then government, politics, and law.
Paul Keleher // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,430,000
- 10-year net present value: $185,000
- Graduation rate: 67%
- Median debt: $19,500
Michigan Technological University is a research university located in Houghton, Michigan. Its focus is in engineering, science, computing, business, tech, and more. Through its co-op program, students take their knowledge of their chosen field for a test run, which has helped the 94% placement rating for graduates.
Michigan Technological University // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,448,000
- 10-year net present value: $134,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $18,500
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university renowned for its programs in arts and science, business, design, engineering, law, public health, and more. Seventy-four percent of 2019 grads entered the workforce, securing work in industries like finance and banking, academia, healthcare, technology, and consulting.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,453,000
- 10-year net present value: $169,000
- Graduation rate: 62%
- Median debt: $18,250
The New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university with a renowned engineering college. According to The New York Times, 31% of graduates in 2017 moved up two or more income quintiles, while 6.5% moved from the bottom to the top income quintile.
Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,454,000
- 10-year net present value: $103,000
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median debt: $23,000
The private Jesuit Fairfield University, located in Connecticut, offers degrees across its four colleges. The most popular majors according to Niche.com are nursing, finance, marketing, and accounting. The class of 2019 saw 98% of students secure full-time employment, placement in graduate school, or enrollment in a volunteer service program within six months of graduation.
Stagophile // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,455,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $16,500
Northwestern University is a private institution that was founded in 1851. The most popular majors for undergraduates are economics, journalism, psychology, political science, and neuroscience, according to U.S. News & World Report. Seventy-three percent of the class of 2019 was employed six months after graduation in fields like finance, consulting, engineering, and communications.
Paradoxsociety // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,462,000
- 10-year net present value: $167,000
- Graduation rate: 72%
- Median debt: $22,500
Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Illinois Institute of Technology is a private research university specializing in architecture, business, communications, design, engineering, technology, law, psychology, and science. Mean starting salaries for graduates average $62,274, and graduates go on to gain employment at corporations like Google, Honeywell, Microsoft, and The Boeing Company, among others.
Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a private research university founded in 1873. Sixty-five percent of Vanderbilt students currently receive some form of financial aid, as the university meets 100% of every student's demonstrated financial need without loans.
Stablenode // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,472,000
- 10-year net present value: $129,000
- Graduation rate: 69%
- Median debt: $20,121
Located in Northern California, University of the Pacific's most popular majors include business, management, and marketing; biological and biomedical sciences; and engineering, according to U.S. News & World Report. Ninety-three percent of employed graduates indicate that their current position is related to their career objective.
Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,476,000
- 10-year net present value: $117,000
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Median debt: $18,962
Boston College, founded in 1863, is a private institution located just outside downtown Boston. Its most popular majors, according to U.S. News & World Report, include economics, finance, biology, speech communication, and political science. For the class of 2019, 21% received job offers before first semester senior year. The top employers were Ernst and Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Oracle.
BCLicious // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,492,000
- 10-year net present value: $192,000
- Graduation rate: 56%
- Median debt: $23,041
Neumont College of Computer Science is a for-profit college focused on sculpting the tech minds of the future. All students earn a Bachelor of Science degree focused on computer science. Jobs in the computer science field are projected to grow 15% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Santa Clara University, located in Silicon Valley, has a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, according to U.S. News & World Report. Its most popular majors are business, social sciences, engineering, communication, and psychology. From the class of 2019, 87.9% of graduates are employed. Their median salary is $62,500.
Arnaudh // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,508,000
- 10-year net present value: $136,000
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Median debt: $12,645
Johns Hopkins University, located in Maryland, is a leading private research university recognized for its work in arts and sciences, engineering, medicine, public health, business, and education. According to PayScale, Johns Hopkins University graduates have an average early career salary of $72,800 in industries like software engineering, data science, project management, and mechanical engineering.
Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,516,000
- 10-year net present value: $150,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $13,000
Located in Claremont, California, Claremont McKenna College is a liberal arts college known for its small class sizes—U.S. News & World Report says the student-faculty ratio is 8:1. Its most popular majors include econometrics, political science, experimental psychology, international relations, and accounting. The average full-time salary is more than $63,000 after graduation, with graduates finding jobs in industries like accounting, consulting, government, and medicine.
Craig Stanfill // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,520,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Median debt: $21,250
Located in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California is one of the largest private institutions in the country. That said, it has a highly favorable student-faculty ratio at 8:1. Popular majors include business, social sciences, visual and performing arts, and journalism. According to PayScale, early career salaries average $66,100, with the highest-paying jobs including those in software engineering, project management, and mechanical engineering,.
The Milwaukee School of Engineering is a small school that offers 16 bachelor's degrees, 10 of which are in engineering. The university includes a four-year graduation guarantee, and 96% of graduates are either employed or going to grad school within six months of graduation.
Sulfur // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,543,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Median debt: $16,052
Tufts University, located in Medford, Massachusetts, is comprised of the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering. According to U.S. News & World Report, 68.1% of classes have fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include social sciences, computer and information sciences, engineering, and biomedical sciences. The top industries where graduates land careers are finance, engineering, and life sciences/health.
John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,548,000
- 10-year net present value: $213,000
- Graduation rate: 64%
- Median debt: $16,998
The Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public university where the most popular majors include engineering, computer sciences, biomedical sciences, and physical sciences. The university offers its students career opportunities and employer relations services, which facilitates the relationship between employers and students and alumni by offering on-campus interviews, active recruitment, and jobs posted specifically for S&T students.
Steveewatkins // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,561,000
- 10-year net present value: $146,000
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Median debt: $12,000
Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, is a prestigious private college that is part of the Ivy League. The student-faculty ratio is strong at 7:1, according to U.S. News & World Report. Popular majors include social sciences, engineering, biomedical sciences, computer sciences, and math. More than 52% of graduates have average starting salaries above $70,000.
Jay Yuan // Shutterstock
- 40-year net present value: $1,563,000
- 10-year net present value: $103,000
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Median debt: $25,000
Villanova University is known for its programs in business, health, engineering, social sciences, and communication. The average starting salary for the class of 2019 was $62,524, with 75.5% of graduates securing employment after graduation.
Washington and Lee University, located in Lexington, Virginia, is a small, private institution set on 430 acres. Its student-faculty ratio is 8:1 and 76.9% of its classes have fewer than 20 students, according to U.S. News & World Report. Popular majors include economics, business, political science, accounting, and history. Upon graduation, the most common fields where students found employment were financial services, economics, education, and consulting.
Jan Kronsell // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,607,000
- 10-year net present value: $160,000
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median debt: $12,305
Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is a large, private institution with more than 1,000 student organizations on campus. Popular majors include engineering, business, biomedical sciences, computer sciences, and agriculture. From the class of 2019, the majority of graduates secured employment in technology, financial services, and consulting. The average starting salary is $66,000.
Axel Tschentscher // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,616,000
- 10-year net present value: $113,000
- Graduation rate: 41%
- Median debt: $21,875
The small for-profit school of DigiPen Institute of Technology is located in Redmond, Washington. Its most popular majors include animation, interactive technology, computer programming, virtual environments, and music theory. According to PayScale, graduates go on to secure employment in fields like software engineering, video game programming, and software development.
Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,626,000
- 10-year net present value: $157,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $20,750
University of Notre Dame, located in South Bend, Indiana, is divided into eight schools and colleges. The most popular majors include economics, finance, political science, mechanical engineering, and computer science. According to PayScale, the average early career salary for graduates is $68,300, and graduates go on to secure employment in software engineering, mechanical engineering, and financial analysis.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,642,000
- 10-year net present value: $242,000
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Median debt: $7,500
Princeton University, an Ivy League university located in New Jersey, is one of the most affordable schools in the nation. That's because financial aid covers 100% of tuition for families that earned $65,000 or less. This enabled 82% of recent seniors to graduate without debt.
Kettering University, located in Flint, Michigan, is spread across several colleges, including ones dedicated to engineering, management, and arts & sciences. Undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in the university co-op experience, which has more than 420 partner organizations, putting students front and center with potential employers in their chosen fields.
Bryan Duggan // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,665,000
- 10-year net present value: $149,000
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median debt: $27,000
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is one of the leading institutions for engineering. In fact, U.S. News & World Report has named it #1 in undergraduate engineering programs at schools where a doctorate isn’t offered for 22 consecutive years. In addition, 100% of students receive financial aid, scholarships, and grants, and 98% of students had a job within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $73,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,687,000
- 10-year net present value: $150,000
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Median debt: $27,000
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, located near Albany, New York, is a leading institution when it comes to subjects like cybersecurity, big data, nanotechnology, and biotech. PayScale shows an annual ROI of 6.8%, with an early career salary average of $72,600. Graduates go on to careers in software engineering, mechanical engineering, project engineering, and electrical engineering.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,688,000
- 10-year net present value: $153,000
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Median debt: $21,500
Lehigh University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sits on a sprawling 2,355-acre campus. U.S. News & World Report says the most popular majors are finance, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, accounting, and marketing. Ninety-four percent of students complete one or more internships or experiential learning opportunities while attending, and the average starting salary of 2019 graduates was $67,000.
Peter L Moore // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,725,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Median debt: $27,000
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers more than 50 undergraduate programs in science, engineering, technology, math, business, and the humanities. All students receive a one-time Global Scholarship to complete project work, and the average starting salary for the class of 2019 was more than $72,000.
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university that enrolls about 40,000 students. It is among the nation's largest research universities and receives more than $1 billion each year in research awards. According to PayScale, the annual ROI is 12%, while early career salaries average at $74,500.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,750,000
- 10-year net present value: $183,000
- Graduation rate: 89%
- Median debt: $24,500
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university that continues to rank highly for computer science, technology, information systems, and engineering. Starting salaries for the class of 2019 were significantly higher than the national average, at $90,271. Graduates from Carnegie Mellon have gone on to secure employment at companies like Boeing, Capital One, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and more.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,754,000
- 10-year net present value: $173,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $9,000
Duke University is a North Carolina university with roughly 6,500 undergraduates. The top five majors for the class of 2023 include computer science, economics, public policy, biology, and psychology. This year, Duke has ranked second in the country with the Wall Street Journal for student outcomes, which looks at graduation rate, teaching reputation, graduate salaries, and student debt.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,761,000
- 10-year net present value: $210,000
- Graduation rate: 60%
- Median debt: $20,000
SUNY Maritime College, located in Throggs Neck, New York, is a public institution that was founded in the 19th century. The most popular majors include marine science, mechanical engineering, business, naval architecture, and electrical engineering. According to U.S. News & World Report, the tuition is much lower than the national average for both in-state and out-of-state tuition, and PayScale reports that it has an annual ROI of 13%, with an early career salary average of more than $76,000.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,769,000
- 10-year net present value: $208,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $18,794
Located in New York City, Columbia University is one of the world's most prestigious universities, established in 1754. The student-faculty ratio is 6:1 and more than 80% of classes have fewer than 20 students, according to U.S. News & World Report. The most popular majors are social sciences, engineering, computer sciences, biomedical sciences, and visual and performing arts. PayScale reports early career salaries are, on average, $76,100.
Yale University is one of the oldest institutions in America. It was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1701. Graduates from the class of 2019 went on to secure employment primarily in finance, academia, consulting, technology, and healthcare. The mean starting salary was $68,472.
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- 40-year net present value: $1,786,000
- 10-year net present value: $158,000
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Median debt: $25,000
Bentley University is a private university located in Waltham, Massachusetts, with a focus on business. Top majors include finance, business administration, business management, and accounting. Graduates have a 98% job placement rate, with a median starting salary of $60,000.
Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,794,000
- 10-year net present value: $203,000
- Graduation rate: 77%
- Median debt: $21,915
Colorado School of Mines is a public research university that offers degrees in engineering, science, and math. The career center at the university works to help students maximize their degree. For the 2018-2019 academic year, more than 1,300 organizations recruited or hired at Mines. The average starting salary was $73,000.
Mines CERSE // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,818,000
- 10-year net present value: $265,000
- Graduation rate: 63%
- Median debt: $20,500
California State University Maritime Academy, located near San Francisco, offers degrees in international business and logistics, facilities engineering technology, global studies and maritime affairs, marine engineering technology, marine transportation or mechanical engineering. It has the highest job placement rates of the 23 California State Universities, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The University of Pennsylvania aims to make its high-quality education affordable for all. The grant-based financial aid program meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants and work-study funding. The average starting salary for the class of 2019 was $77,500.
Peetlesnumber1 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,833,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Median debt: $26,000
Stevens Institute of Technology is a leading university in the fields of artificial intelligence, computing, finance, medicine, nanotechnology, and more. Seventy-seven percent of seniors from the class of 2020 finalized their postgraduate outcomes prior to graduation, and 95% secured jobs within six months. The average starting salary was $77,000.
Antony-22 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,851,000
- 10-year net present value: $187,000
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Median debt: $21,254
Harvey Mudd College, located in Claremont, California, is a small institution and is one of the country's top STEM schools. It offers a Bachelor of Science degree to its graduates, and 57% of its classes have fewer than 20 students, according to U.S. News & World Report. Graduates’ median starting salary is $87,500.
Bovineone // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,869,000
- 10-year net present value: $246,000
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Median debt: $23,250
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a leading institution in the fields of engineering, maritime business, marine transportation, and marine science safety. According to PayScale, there is an annual ROI of 11.9% and the early career salary is $68,600. Graduates go on to obtain careers as project managers, port engineers, environmental health and safety managers, and operations managers.
United States Maritime Administration // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,949,000
- 10-year net present value: $298,000
- Graduation rate: 78%
- Median debt: $6,500
United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy known for its four-year program that includes service at sea, maritime employment ashore, and serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Federal Government pays the majority of costs for students enrolled in the academy, including tuition, room and board, uniforms, textbooks, and healthcare.
Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,967,000
- 10-year net present value: $286,000
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Median debt: $7,000
Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It was established in 1636 and its library has the largest private collection in the world. Harvard University provides need-based aid, regardless of ability to pay. As a result, 20% of students pay nothing to attend, while more than 50% receive need-based scholarships.
Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,985,000
- 10-year net present value: $184,000
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median debt: $24,875
Babson College is a highly rated business school that offers all undergraduates a Bachelor of Science degree. From the 2019 graduating class, 99% were employed or attended graduate school within six months of graduation. Five percent of graduating students started their own business within six months of graduating, and 90% of students had at least one internship during their time there.
Aziz bm // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,043,000
- 10-year net present value: $251,000
- Graduation rate: 66%
- Median debt: $27,000
Maine Maritime Academy, located in Castine, Maine, is a public college focused on maritime training. U.S. News & World Report says that the most popular majors are naval architecture and marine engineering, marine science, engineering technologies, international business, and systems engineering. According to PayScale, the average starting salary is $67,600, with an ROI of 11%.
Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, was founded in 1885 and is a private research university, excelling in engineering, computer sciences, social sciences, and math. The university works to make education affordable for all. Tuition is fully covered for undergrads with family incomes below $150,000.
Jawed Karim // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,273,000
- 10-year net present value: $311,000
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Median debt: $15,346
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an internationally renowned institution for STEM studies. It is one of five U.S. colleges that is need-blind and full-need for undergraduate students. Six out of 10 students receive financial aid, and seven in ten graduate debt-free. For 2019 graduates entering industry positions, the average starting salary was $98,741.
Balthazar Korab // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,421,000
- 10-year net present value: $247,000
- Graduation rate: 76%
- Median debt: $25,000
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health is a private university focused on medical and health-related programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be roughly 2.4 million new jobs in healthcare through 2029. According to PayScale, the average early career salary is $65,300.
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- 40-year net present value: $2,714,000
- 10-year net present value: $389,000
- Graduation rate: 72%
- Median debt: $19,500
St. Louis College of Pharmacy is a small school in Missouri with an enrollment of less than 400 students. According to Niche, the most popular majors include biomedical sciences and molecular medicine and liberal arts and humanities. Alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $120,400.
Canva
- 40-year net present value: $2,722,000
- 10-year net present value: $385,000
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Median debt: $25,000
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health, located in Albany, New York, is the best value college in America with the most favorable return on investment. According to PayScale, the return on investment is 9.4%, with an early career salary of $77,700. Graduates have gone on to work for CVS, Wal-Mart. and RBC Wealth Management.
