Rankings / Social Mobility
Best Colleges for Low-Income Students
- 50
- Schools
- $54,715
- Avg. Earnings
- 50%
- Avg. Graduation
- $12,118
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,595
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $35,348 to $75,971, a 2.1× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College delivers the most for the money: roughly $75,971 in median earnings against $3,033 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, CUNY Hunter College ($2,984 net price), still posts $63,163 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Florida International University graduates 74% of its students, versus a 50% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.15× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- CUNY Hunter College costs $2,984 a year and Concordia University Texas costs $23,131. Yet their graduates earn $63,163 and $60,883, nowhere near the $20,147 price gap.
- Graduation rates split the field: Florida International University finishes 74% of students while CUNY Medgar Evers College finishes 21%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Florida International University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $57K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- Chetty, R., Jackson, M., Kuchler, T., et al. (2022). Social Capital I: Measurement and Associations with Economic Mobility. Nature, 608, 108-121.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College #1 overall | $75,971 ▲ +39% vs avg | $3,033 | 72% | 82 |
| 2 CUNY Hunter College #2 overall | $63,163 ▲ +15% vs avg | $2,984 | 59% | 81 |
| 3 CUNY Queens College #3 overall | $62,763 ▲ +15% vs avg | $4,195 | 56% | 80 |
| $60,752 ▲ +11% vs avg | $3,103 | 55% | 80 | |
| $56,195 ▲ +3% vs avg | $3,203 | 56% | 79 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges for Low-Income Students
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,715 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 50% and an average net price of $12,118.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Florida International University — 74% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Median alumni earnings: $75,971
Research Note
Low-income students at colleges in the top quartile of economic connectedness are 267% more likely to reach the top income quintile than peers at the least-connected schools.
Economic Mobility Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about which colleges actually move students up?
$56,745
Median earnings (10yr)
51%
Median graduation rate
$12,239
Median net price
3.4%
Avg. mobility rate
A mobility ranking grades American higher education on the thing it is supposed to do: take students from the bottom of the income distribution and launch them toward the top. Built on the work of Raj Chetty and Opportunity Insights, it rewards schools that admit low-income students and change their trajectory, rather than schools that admit the already-advantaged and take credit for it.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $56,745 ten years after enrollment, or about $8,745 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 51%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $12,239 a year with about $20,409 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 49% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 3.4%.
What we’re seeing: the biggest mobility engines are rarely the most famous names. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lifts 12.9% of its lowest-income students all the way to the top quintile, and the typical school here moves students up at 3.4%, against a roughly 1.7% national average. That is the deeper promise of higher education: redistributing advantage rather than confirming it.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #1 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $75,971 a decade after enrolling, 39% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,033 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
CUNY Hunter College lands at #2 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
CUNY Queens College lands at #3 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $62,763 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,195 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #4 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $60,752 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,103 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 57% accepted · $3,203 net
Why it ranks #5
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice lands at #5 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $56,195 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,203 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
East Texas A&M University lands at #6 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,841 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
CUNY Lehman College lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
CUNY York College lands at #8 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,945 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Bay Path University lands at #9 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (97/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,383 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,271 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Boricua College lands at #10 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (100/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $35,348 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,245 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of the Cumberlands lands at #11 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,036 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,107 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Florida International University lands at #12 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $60,249 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,288 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
The University of Texas at Arlington lands at #13 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,199 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,951 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Plattsburgh, NY · 78% accepted · $17,156 net
Why it ranks #14
State University of New York at Plattsburgh lands at #14 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,403 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,156 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
San Francisco State University lands at #15 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $68,077 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,278 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Portland State University lands at #16 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $57,906 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,552 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Bristol Community College lands at #17 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,663 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,547 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
San Antonio, TX · 87% accepted · $10,836 net
Why it ranks #18
The University of Texas at San Antonio lands at #18 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,131 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,836 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Southeastern Oklahoma State University lands at #19 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $45,079 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,039 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
CUNY Medgar Evers College lands at #20 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $46,498 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,718 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Saint Peter's University lands at #21 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $57,815 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,199 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Dominican University lands at #22 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $60,327 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,745 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Montclair State University lands at #23 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $61,415 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,566 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Texas Woman's University lands at #24 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (68/100). Graduates earn a median $56,544 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,963 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
The University of Texas at El Paso lands at #25 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,923 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,403 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Rhode Island College lands at #26 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,318 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,478 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Northwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #27 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,358 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,104 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred lands at #28 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,445 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,016 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
SUNY Old Westbury lands at #29 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,526 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,282 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Chickasha, OK · 66% accepted · $6,624 net
Why it ranks #30
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma lands at #30 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $41,913 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,624 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
University of La Verne lands at #31 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $65,464 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,161 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Grand Canyon University lands at #32 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,186 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,472 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Northeastern State University lands at #33 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $45,379 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,710 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Lamar University lands at #34 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Aurora University lands at #35 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,709 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,838 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
University of Mount Olive lands at #36 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,139 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,853 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
New York Institute of Technology lands at #37 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $70,080 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,443 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Holy Family University lands at #38 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $62,235 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,143 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Fresno Pacific University lands at #39 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,896 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,630 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Greensboro, NC · 89% accepted · $10,965 net
Why it ranks #40
University of North Carolina at Greensboro lands at #40 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $48,160 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,965 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Manor College lands at #41 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $46,825 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,078 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Concordia University Texas lands at #42 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $60,883 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,131 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Sam Houston State University lands at #43 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,211 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,404 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Kean University lands at #44 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,237 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,447 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Hamline University lands at #45 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $61,106 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,744 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Concord University lands at #46 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $42,703 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,966 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Gallaudet University lands at #47 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $43,101 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,845 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Northern Illinois University lands at #48 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,808 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,391 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
North Park University lands at #49 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $59,572 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,948 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Avila University lands at #50 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,773 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,053 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
When considering colleges, low-income students and their families often face unique challenges and choices. This list highlights the best colleges that excel in social mobility, specifically for students who qualify for Pell Grants. These institutions not only support diverse student populations but also provide pathways to successful careers, with an average earning potential of $57,189 for graduates.
What separates these schools from the rest are their strong outcomes in key areas such as graduation rates, debt levels, and post-graduation earnings. The schools listed below have been ranked based on their ability to elevate low-income students into better financial situations, making it essential to understand how these metrics impact long-term success. For instance, the average graduation rate among these colleges is 50%, which reflects a commitment to seeing students through to completion despite financial hurdles.
Take CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and CUNY Hunter College as examples. Baruch reports earnings of $75,971 and a graduation rate of 72%, while Hunter shows lower earnings at $63,163 and a 59% graduation rate. The difference in earnings can significantly impact a graduate's ability to manage debt, with Baruch's lower net price of $3,033 compared to Hunter's $2,984, illustrating the tradeoffs students need to consider as they evaluate their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 50 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 3.4%. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with CUNY Lehman College (10.2%) and CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (9.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 14.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Boricua College leads at 46.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 24.1% across this list. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College posts the highest success rate at 46.8%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.57 against a national benchmark of 1.0. CUNY Queens College reaches 1.82, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When we look at the data for CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and CUNY Queens College, a clear pattern emerges. Baruch's graduates earn $75,971 on average, significantly higher than Queens College's $62,763. This disparity in earnings can be attributed to Baruch's higher graduation rate of 72% compared to Queens' 56%, showcasing the impact of institutional support on student outcomes.
After reviewing the list of 50 schools, it's important to weigh these metrics against personal priorities. Think about factors like campus culture, specific academic programs, and location. A college might have a lower net price but could lack support structures that help students graduate. Consider what matters most to you — whether that’s a strong alumni network, internship opportunities, or a vibrant campus life.
Ultimately, the data reflects the journey from college to a stable life. A family may invest in education, hoping it leads to financial security and career advancement. Choosing a school that aligns with financial realities and personal goals can make a significant difference in outcomes and opportunities down the road.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges for Low-Income Students: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges for Low-Income Students ranking? +
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College in New York, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges for Low-Income Students ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $75,971 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 72% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $75,971 ten years after enrollment, well above the $54,715 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads: graduates earn a median $75,971 against net price of about $3,033 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Florida International University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 74%, compared with a 50% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $12,118 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges for Low-Income Students ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
Chetty, R., Jackson, M., Kuchler, T., et al. (2022). Social Capital I: Measurement and Associations with Economic Mobility. Nature, 608, 108-121. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
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