The top 10 best colleges for earning potential

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There are many factors to consider when choosing a college, but when you’re spending a good sum of money on tuition, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth as far as returns. No one wants to end up graduated, buried in student loans and struggling to find even a low-paying job. For this reason, it’s important to look for a college that’s not only going to expand your mind, but that is going to increase your likelihood of making some good money later on.

It can be hard to figure out how each school ranks on its own but, luckily, you don’t have to. MONEY created their own list of the best colleges for your money, and one category they looked at was early career earnings. We list this information below, alongside information on what the estimated cost of attendance is, both without aid and with the average grant. (Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room and board and other expenses.)

While earnings potential may not be the only factor you consider when choosing a school, it sure can help guide your decision.

10. Colorado School Of Mines

Early Career Earnings: $65,700

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $33,600

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $26,200

9. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Early Career Earnings: $66,600

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $66,200

Estimated Cost of Attendeance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $29,000

8. Princeton University

Early Career Earnings: $67,600

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $65,300

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $43,400

7. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Early Career Earnings: $68,000

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $64,200

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $43,400

6. SUNY Maritime College

Early Career Earnings: $68,200

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $25,700

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $18,200

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Early Career Earnings: $70,000

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $70,800

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $36,300

4. Stanford University

Early Career Earnings: $70,300

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $68,100

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $20,800

3. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

Early Career Earnings: $77,000

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $67,800

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $23,400

2. Harvey Mudd College

Early Career Earnings: $78,300

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $75,000

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $37,300

1. California Institute Of Technology

Early Career Earnings: $79,800

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2017-18 Without Aid: $67,000

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2017-18 with Average Grant: $25,100

To calculate these results, MONEY used information from the U.S. Department of Education, Peterson’s, PayScale.com and MONEY/College Measures calculations. You can read more about the methodology used by Money here.

About the Author

Carina Wolff

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