Earnings Potential Based on College Choice?

So, there's this Wall Street Journal article that caught my eye, it's about 'which colleges' graduates make the most'. How seriously should I take this information while shortlisting my colleges? Does your college choice directly influence your earning potential?

While it's true that some colleges might graduate students who go on to earn higher salaries, this isn't a guarantee of personal income and shouldn't be the sole determinant in your college choice. Here's why:

Firstly, many top earning graduates come from specific programs or majors, such as engineering, computer science or business. So, if you're considering majors in these areas, the data of high-earning grads might be more relevant to you. If you're into humanities, arts or other fields, top earning potential might not be as high but that doesn't mean you'll be unsuccessful.

Secondly, colleges with a high median graduate income might have strong alumni networks or hiring partnerships with lucrative industries, which could help graduates secure high-paying jobs. But remember, the character, capabilities, and hard work of an individual also play crucial parts in their career success.

Thirdly, remember that salary isn’t everything. Job satisfaction, work-life balance, the opportunity to make positive impacts - these are factors you should also consider when choosing a college and a career.

And finally, consider the cost of education too. A high earning potential may not be as lucrative if you need to take on substantial debt to attend a particular school.

A practical way to utilize the information from articles about colleges with high-earning graduates is to research the reasons why those college graduates are high earners. This research might lead to finding colleges with good internships programs, strong faculty in your intended major, or opportunities for networking – all factors that can lead to strong earning potential no matter what school you attend.

So, it's not so much about the name of the college on your degree, but more about the specific programs and opportunities that college could provide you, in addition to the effort you put in to excel in your chosen field. So, while interesting and worth considering, I’d caution against using earning potential as the deciding factor in your college search.