Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- 32
- Schools
- $53,562
- Avg. Earnings
- 52%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,664
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,807
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $31,088 at the low end to $137,047 at the top. That 4.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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St Charles Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $42,422 against $5,837 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is St Charles Community College, at $5,837 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Washington University in St Louis graduates 94% of its students, well above the 52% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis: graduates owe only 0.13× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Washington University in St Louis ($86,182 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis ($137,047). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. St Charles Community College ($5,837/yr) and University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis ($31,817/yr) produce graduates earning $42,422 and $137,047 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $25,980 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, St Charles Community College outperforms University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with St Charles Community College and Washington University in St Louis. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 $50K 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 Washington University in St Louis #1 overall | $86,182 ▲ +61% vs avg | $21,786 | 94% | 83 |
| 2 | $82,957 ▲ +55% vs avg | $16,298 | 64% | 79 |
| 3 Truman State University #3 overall | $56,280 ▲ +5% vs avg | $12,780 | 68% | 74 |
| $53,278 ▼ -1% vs avg | $19,638 | 50% | 73 | |
| $49,560 ▼ -7% vs avg | $14,462 | 52% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
This analysis ranks 32 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $53,562 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 52% and an average net price of $16,664.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: St Charles Community College — Net Price: $5,837 | Graduation Rate: 24%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Washington University in St Louis — 94% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis — Median alumni earnings: $137,047
Our Analysis Found
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?
$49,694
Median earnings (10yr)
56%
Median graduation rate
$16,271
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Technology hiring rewards ability over credentials more than any other field on this site. Toolchains turn over every few years, so computing and data-science programs compete on employer connections, project-based learning, and curriculum currency. The programs that teach fundamentals and learning agility produce the graduates who last.
The median graduation rate across these 32 schools is 56%. Median graduate earnings reach $49,694 ten years after enrollment, roughly $1,694 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $16,271 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $21,500. Some 33% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.3%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $49,694 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
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
Washington University in St Louis lands at #1 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $86,182 a decade after enrolling, 61% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 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
Rolla, MO · 73% accepted · $16,298 net
Why it ranks #2
Missouri University of Science and Technology lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $82,957 a decade after enrolling, 55% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,298 a year. 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
Truman State University lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,280 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,780 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 #4
Lindenwood University lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,278 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,638 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 #5
University of Central Missouri lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $49,560 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,462 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Maryville University of Saint Louis lands at #6 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $62,105 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,066 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
Cape Girardeau, MO · 74% accepted · $15,882 net
Why it ranks #7
Southeast Missouri State University lands at #7 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,030 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,882 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 #8
Northwest Missouri State University lands at #8 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $47,885 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,244 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 #9
Saint Louis University lands at #9 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $70,783 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,398 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
Webster University lands at #10 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $50,876 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,047 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
Missouri Southern State University lands at #11 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $42,620 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,007 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 #12
Avila University lands at #12 with a 69/100 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, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,053 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 #13
Crowder College lands at #13 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $35,987 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,023 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 #14
Ozarks Technical Community College lands at #14 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $36,455 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,936 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 #15
Park University lands at #15 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $56,309 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,032 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
Saint Louis, MO · 90% accepted · $31,817 net
Why it ranks #16
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis lands at #16 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $137,047 a decade after enrolling, 156% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,817 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 #17
Westminster College lands at #17 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $52,199 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,314 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 #18
Evangel University lands at #18 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,573 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,669 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 #19
University of Missouri-Columbia lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $63,403 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,268 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 #20
University of Missouri-Kansas City lands at #20 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $59,637 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,310 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 #21
Missouri Valley College lands at #21 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $43,221 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,086 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 #22
University of Missouri-St Louis lands at #22 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,037 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,071 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
State Technical College of Missouri lands at #23 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $55,901 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,190 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 #24
College of the Ozarks lands at #24 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (35/100). Graduates earn a median $41,592 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,100 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
Fayette, MO · 57% accepted · $22,766 net
Why it ranks #25
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences lands at #25 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $48,991 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,766 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
Springfield, MO · 91% accepted · $17,613 net
Why it ranks #26
Missouri State University-Springfield lands at #26 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,827 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,613 a year. 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 #27
St Charles Community College lands at #27 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $42,422 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,837 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
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City lands at #28 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $40,796 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,398 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 #29
Columbia College lands at #29 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $45,378 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,715 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 #30
Harris-Stowe State University lands at #30 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (61/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $31,088 a decade after enrolling, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,922 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
Saint Louis Community College lands at #31 with a 51/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (36/100). Graduates earn a median $35,325 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,440 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
Lincoln University lands at #32 with a 47/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (53/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $39,463 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,092 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 32 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 degree in computer science, Missouri has a variety of schools with strong programs. Each institution listed here has demonstrated a commitment to preparing students for successful careers in tech. For many families, the stakes are high; the average earnings for graduates in this state is $50,554.
What sets the best computer science colleges apart are their graduation rates, earnings potential, and debt levels. Schools like Washington University in St. Louis and Missouri University of Science and Technology show significantly higher earnings compared to others, which reflects their robust program outcomes. The list below highlights institutions where students can expect solid returns on their educational investment.
For instance, Washington University boasts impressive earnings of $86,182 and a graduation rate of 94%, while the University of Missouri-Kansas City, with earnings of $59,637 and a 56% graduation rate, illustrates a stark difference in outcomes. This contrast helps prospective students understand the potential tradeoffs they face when choosing among these schools.
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 19 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.3%. Park University leads the group at 3.9%, with College of the Ozarks (3.3%) and Missouri Southern State University (1.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Crowder College leads at 18.3%, 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 20% across this list. Washington University in St Louis posts the highest success rate at 53.5%. 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 1.60 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Washington University in St Louis reaches 1.83, 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
The data reveals notable differences between Missouri's computer science programs, particularly when comparing Washington University in St. Louis and Missouri University of Science and Technology. While Washington University graduates earn an average of $86,182, Missouri S&T graduates make $82,957, reflecting a slight edge in financial outcomes. However, Missouri S&T's graduation rate of 64% contrasts with Washington's impressive 94%, indicating that while earnings are high, completion rates also play a crucial role in overall success.
After reviewing the list of schools, it's crucial to weigh this data against personal priorities. Consider factors like location, desired program specialties, campus culture, and financial implications. For example, while a school may boast high earnings, if it comes with substantial debt, it might not align with your financial goals. Take the time to visit campuses, talk to current students, and assess where you feel you would thrive.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life is shaped by these decisions. For one family, choosing a school with strong earning potential like Washington University could mean a brighter financial future. For another, a more affordable option like State Technical College, with lower debt, might be the right call. These choices carry weight, influencing not just careers but also long-term well-being.
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 Missouri: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri ranking? +
Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $86,182 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 94% 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? +
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis posts the highest median earnings on this list: $137,047 ten years after enrollment, well above the $53,562 average across the 32 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, St Charles Community College leads: graduates earn a median $42,422 against net price of about $5,837 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? +
Washington University in St Louis has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 94%, compared with a 52% 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 $16,664 a year across the 32 ranked schools with cost data. St Charles Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,837. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri 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 32 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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