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A college degree is supposed to be your golden ticket—but did you know that where you go to school can make or break your future paycheck? Sure, everyone knows college grads earn more than those with just a high school diploma, but here’s the kicker: The salary gap between graduates from different colleges isn’t just big—it’s mind-blowing.
A bombshell Payscale report from September 2024 lays it all out. Graduates with the same degree can rake in vastly different salaries based solely on their alma mater. We’re talking six-figure differences here! This means your choice of school isn’t just about campus vibes or prestige—it’s about how many zeros you’ll see on your paycheck. With tuition prices climbing higher than ever, picking the right college isn’t just a rite of passage—it’s a major financial decision.
Payscale’s College Salary Report is based on a comprehensive database, utilizing alumni salary data from 3.1 million respondents across more than 2,400 U.S. colleges and universities. The insights presented here offer valuable guidance for researching schools, academic programs, and career trajectories. This data helps identify fields of study with the highest earning potential and highlights those most adaptable to diverse career paths. Here are top 20 colleges whose degrees can help you earn more.
| Rank | School Name | School Type | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay |
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Engineering, Private, Research University | $110,200 | $196,900 |
| 2 | Princeton University | Engineering, Ivy League, Private, Research | $95,600 | $194,100 |
| 3 | United States Naval Academy | Engineering, Liberal Arts, State | $96,700 | $187,800 |
| 4 | Harvey Mudd College | Engineering, Liberal Arts, Private | $115,000 | $185,900 |
| 5 | Babson College | Business, Private | $90,600 | $181,400 |
| 6 | Stanford University | Private, Research | $102,300 | $181,200 |
| 7 | Santa Clara University | Private, Religious | $91,000 | $179,500 |
| 8 | Dartmouth College | Ivy League, Private, Research | $92,300 | $178,700 |
| 9 | University of Pennsylvania | Ivy League, Private, Research | $92,500 | $178,300 |
| 10 | Harvard University | Ivy League, Private, Research | $95,600 | $177,400 |
| 11 | Colgate University | Liberal Arts, Private | $87,400 | $176,100 |
| 12 | Lehigh University | Private, Research | $89,100 | $175,600 |
| 13 | California Institute of Technology | Engineering, Private, Research | $111,000 | $175,400 |
| 14 | Claremont McKenna College | Liberal Arts, Private | $89,800 | $175,000 |
| 15 | United States Military Academy | Liberal Arts, State | $95,400 | $174,100 |
| 16 | Williams College | Liberal Arts, Private | $85,800 | $173,900 |
| 17 | Stevens Institute of Technology | Engineering, Private, Research | $92,800 | $172,900 |
| 18 | United States Air Force Academy | Engineering, Liberal Arts, State | $90,900 | $172,800 |
| 19 | Yale University | Ivy League, Private, Research | $92,100 | $171,900 |
| 20 | University of California-Berkeley | Research, State | $90,900 | $170,100 |
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