Has anyone found solid stats on which colleges' grads tend to make the most money? I'm not expecting to suddenly become a millionaire with a certain degree, but I'm just trying to get a handle on career outcomes and long-term prospects.
Sure, it's a valid point to look at graduate outcomes when considering your college options. There are many factors at play in graduate salaries, including the specific field, the college in question, and individual performance.
In terms of specific colleges, a few names often come up in these discussions. Schools like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT consistently rank highly for their graduate earning potential. This is generally due to the high number of graduates these schools have in well-paid fields like consulting, tech, and finance.
However, do note that a school's prestige isn't the only thing that determines your earnings. Oftentimes, it's the major or field of study at a given institution that holds more influence on income. For example, engineering, computer science, and finance tend to yield higher incomes than some humanities and social science fields, regardless of the college you attend. So, a student majoring in computer science could potentially earn more from a school notable for its strong STEM programs than one from a more prestigious school with a less robust STEM profile.
You can find much of this data online in various college ranking and data aggregating websites which provide information on colleges' graduate outcomes, including average salaries. US News & World Report would likely be a good starting point.
Just remember, the stats only provide an overview of general trends, and individual results can vary significantly - you can graduate from any major, at any school, and end up with a good salary if you are proactive about networking and seeking out opportunities that align well with your strengths.
In conclusion, consider graduate earnings potential, but also prioritize finding a program and overall college environment that will support your specific interests and goals—financial security is a natural goal, but you want to be sure that the school you attend will help you grow as a whole individual.
Good luck with your search!
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