Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- 33
- Schools
- $56,919
- Avg. Earnings
- 56%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,460
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,520
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 33 schools run from $42,162 to $76,786, a 1.8× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of Minnesota-Morris delivers the most for the money: roughly $50,919 in median earnings against $8,837 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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University of Minnesota-Morris is the lowest-cost school here at $8,837 a year in net price.
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Carleton College graduates 90% of its students, versus a 56% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Dakota County Technical College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.21× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Carleton College ($75,525 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Saint Johns University ($76,786), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- University of Minnesota-Morris costs $8,837 a year and Macalester College costs $32,149. Yet their graduates earn $50,919 and $63,878, nowhere near the $23,312 price gap.
- On value, University of Minnesota-Morris beats Saint Johns University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Minnesota-Morris and Carleton College. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $57K within a decade, and software developer roles are projected to grow 25%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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
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 Carleton College #1 overall | $75,525 ▲ +33% vs avg | $25,407 | 90% | 84 |
| 2 Saint Johns University #2 overall | $76,786 ▲ +35% vs avg | $25,672 | 76% | 75 |
| 3 Macalester College #3 overall | $63,878 ▲ +12% vs avg | $32,149 | 89% | 74 |
| $65,607 ▲ +15% vs avg | $22,900 | 76% | 72 | |
| $61,511 ▲ +8% vs avg | $26,939 | 65% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
This analysis ranks 33 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $56,919 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 56% and an average net price of $18,460.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Minnesota-Morris — Net Price: $8,837 | Graduation Rate: 62%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Carleton College — 90% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Saint Johns University — Median alumni earnings: $76,786
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$56,922
Median earnings (10yr)
56%
Median graduation rate
$16,863
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
Across the 33 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $56,922 ten years after they first enrolled, about $8,922 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 56%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $16,863 a year, with about $19,500 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 25% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.5%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $56,922 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Carleton College lands at #1 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $75,525 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,407 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Saint Johns University lands at #2 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $76,786 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,672 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 #3
Macalester College lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,878 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,149 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Gustavus Adolphus College lands at #4 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $65,607 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,900 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 #5
Dunwoody College of Technology lands at #5 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $61,511 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,939 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 #6
The College of Saint Scholastica lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $65,934 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,846 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 #7
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities lands at #7 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $69,020 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,778 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $58,170 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,704 a year, well under 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 #9
Augsburg University lands at #9 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $58,829 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,873 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
University of Minnesota-Morris lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $50,919 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,837 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Concordia College at Moorhead lands at #11 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $59,317 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,902 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 #12
Metropolitan State University lands at #12 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $64,705 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,863 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
University of Minnesota-Duluth lands at #13 with a 65/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $62,616 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,743 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
St Olaf College lands at #14 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $65,543 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,874 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Saint Cloud State University lands at #15 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $55,813 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,529 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 #16
Winona State University lands at #16 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $58,532 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,503 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
North Hennepin Community College lands at #17 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,142 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,186 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 #18
University of St Thomas lands at #18 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $73,739 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,155 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Minnesota State University-Mankato lands at #19 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $56,922 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,139 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Minnesota State University Moorhead lands at #20 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $50,527 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,997 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
South Central College lands at #21 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,068 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,082 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 #22
Alexandria Technical & Community College lands at #22 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $49,393 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,691 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 #23
Concordia University-Saint Paul lands at #23 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $59,871 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,462 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Normandale Community College lands at #24 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $50,207 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,972 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 #25
Dakota County Technical College lands at #25 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $51,938 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,548 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 #26
St Cloud Technical and Community College lands at #26 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $46,874 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,635 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 #27
Southwest Minnesota State University lands at #27 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $51,342 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,291 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 #28
University of Northwestern-St Paul lands at #28 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (76/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,755 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,705 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Anoka-Ramsey Community College lands at #29 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $48,342 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,434 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 #30
Minnesota State Community and Technical College lands at #30 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $45,591 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,556 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 #31
Rochester Community and Technical College lands at #31 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $45,287 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,435 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 #32
Central Lakes College-Brainerd lands at #32 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $42,162 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,869 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 #33
Lake Superior College lands at #33 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,449 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,492 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 33 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Software Developers and related roles — a field with $132,270 median pay and 25% projected growth.
See the Software Developer career guide →When considering a computer science degree in Minnesota, students and families are weighing options across 33 schools known for their technical programs. These institutions share a commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving job market, where strong skills can lead to lucrative careers. For instance, graduates from Carleton College earn an impressive average of $75,525 annually.
What sets the standout schools apart on this list are key outcomes that matter most in a computer science education: earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and the potential for upward mobility. The list below reflects these metrics, showing how each program stacks up against the others. For example, while the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities boasts a solid graduation rate of 85%, the University of Minnesota-Morris has a lower rate at 62%, which could impact post-graduate opportunities.
To illustrate the diversity among options, consider the difference between Carleton College and Metropolitan State University. Carleton's graduates enjoy significantly higher earnings at $75,525 compared to Metropolitan's $64,705, yet the debt levels tell another story; at $16,750 for Carleton versus $17,100 for Metropolitan. These contrasts highlight the trade-offs students may face when choosing a school that aligns with their financial and educational goals.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 9 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.5%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Saint Johns University leads the group at 2.7%, with The College of Saint Scholastica (2.2%) and Dunwoody College of Technology (1.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 3.7% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Macalester College enrolls the most, at 4.8%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 31.7% across the list, peaking at 52.9% at Carleton College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Carleton College is highest at 1.78.
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
When we look closer, a trend emerges: Carleton College clearly outperforms many peers in earnings and graduation rates. While Carleton graduates earn $75,525 with a graduation rate of 90%, Metropolitan State University students earn $64,705 but have only a 42% graduation rate. This stark difference highlights the importance of choosing a school that not only provides a solid education but also supports students through to graduation.
Now that you have a clearer picture of how these schools compare, think about your own priorities. Weigh factors such as the cost of attendance, the campus environment, and your personal career goals. For instance, if minimizing debt is a priority, the University of Minnesota-Morris, with its lower net price of $8,837, may be appealing, despite its lower graduation rate. Consider which aspects align with your vision for college and beyond.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life hinges on making informed choices. A family's decision about education can unlock opportunities that pave the way for a successful future. Knowing that the average earnings for graduates in this field can exceed $55,000 is a crucial piece of information as you chart your course forward.
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 Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota ranking? +
Carleton College in Northfield, MN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $75,525 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 90% 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? +
Saint Johns University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $76,786 ten years after enrollment, well above the $56,919 average across the 33 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, University of Minnesota-Morris leads: graduates earn a median $50,919 against net price of about $8,837 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? +
Carleton College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 90%, compared with a 56% 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 $18,460 a year across the 33 ranked schools with cost data. University of Minnesota-Morris is among the most affordable at roughly $8,837. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota 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 33 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
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