Rankings / National
Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
- 50
- Schools
- $48,756
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,433
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,680
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $33,267 at the low end to $64,705 at the top. That 1.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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The University of Texas at El Paso offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $50,923 against $9,403 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 Le Moyne-Owen College, at $7,099 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Mississippi graduates 70% of its students, well above the 46% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Mercy College of Health Sciences: graduates owe only 0.24× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Southern Mississippi ($44,140 earnings), not the highest earner, Metropolitan State University ($64,705). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Le Moyne-Owen College ($7,099/yr) and Benedictine College ($27,891/yr) produce graduates earning $35,594 and $53,175 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $20,792 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, The University of Texas at El Paso outperforms Metropolitan State University: similar career earnings at a much lower 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 The University of Texas at El Paso and University of Mississippi. 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
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 $48K 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 2026-06-15
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.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
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 University of Southern Mississippi #1 overall | $44,140 ▼ -9% vs avg | $21,708 | 50% | 98 |
| 2 Delta State University #2 overall | $41,991 ▼ -14% vs avg | $13,540 | 47% | 98 |
| 3 The University of Texas at El Paso #3 overall | $50,923 ▲ +4% vs avg | $9,403 | 48% | 97 |
| $45,379 ▼ -7% vs avg | $12,710 | 36% | 97 | |
| $51,926 ▲ +7% vs avg | $19,858 | 61% | 97 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $48,756 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $17,433.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: The University of Texas at El Paso — Net Price: $9,403 | Graduation Rate: 48%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Mississippi — 70% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Metropolitan State University — Median alumni earnings: $64,705
Our Analysis Found
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Opportunity & Mobility Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about opportunity, mobility, and the future of higher education in America?
$47,679
Median earnings (10yr)
48%
Median graduation rate
$16,508
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
This national ranking strips away reputation and looks at what colleges deliver: earnings, completion, mobility, and affordability. The schools at the top are not necessarily the most famous or the most selective. They are the ones producing strong outcomes for a broad cross-section of students, the truest measure of institutional effectiveness.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $47,679 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 48%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $16,508 a year, with about $22,450 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 40% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.9%.
The schools winning this ranking combine strong outcomes with broad access. The University of Texas at El Paso leads on mobility, and list-wide median earnings reach $47,679. The institutions rising to the top are the ones leaving students measurably better off.
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
University of Southern Mississippi lands at #1 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,140 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,708 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 #2
Delta State University lands at #2 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $41,991 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,540 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 #3
The University of Texas at El Paso lands at #3 with a 97/100 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, 4% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Northeastern State University lands at #4 with a 97/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,710 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 #5
University of South Dakota lands at #5 with a 97/100 composite, led by social mobility (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $51,926 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,858 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
Eastern Mennonite University lands at #6 with a 97/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $54,869 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,588 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
Southeastern Louisiana University lands at #7 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $46,482 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,154 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 #8
Western Colorado University lands at #8 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $46,833 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,425 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
Columbus State University lands at #9 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $44,544 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,115 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 #10
Valley City State University lands at #10 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,725 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,890 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 #11
Southern Wesleyan University lands at #11 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $47,756 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,464 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
Metropolitan State University of Denver lands at #12 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $52,093 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,327 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
Sul Ross State University lands at #13 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $41,871 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,286 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 #14
Middle Georgia State University lands at #14 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $40,863 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,361 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 #15
Central State University lands at #15 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $33,267 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,096 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 #16
Culver-Stockton College lands at #16 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,092 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,983 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 #17
Grand View University lands at #17 with a 96/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $52,824 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,774 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 #18
Oral Roberts University lands at #18 with a 95/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,885 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,365 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
King University lands at #19 with a 95/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $59,831 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,347 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 #20
The University of Montana lands at #20 with a 95/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,511 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,784 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 #21
Emporia State University lands at #21 with a 95/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $47,601 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,261 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 #22
University of the Incarnate Word lands at #22 with a 95/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,733 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,775 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 #23
Benedictine College lands at #23 with a 95/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,175 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,891 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
University of the Cumberlands lands at #24 with a 94/100 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, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,107 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 #25
Missouri Southern State University lands at #25 with a 94/100 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, 13% 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 #26
Greenville University lands at #26 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,827 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,533 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
Edwardsville, IL · 98% accepted · $14,889 net
Why it ranks #27
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville lands at #27 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,346 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,889 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 #28
Texas Southern University lands at #28 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $38,924 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,590 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 #29
Spalding University lands at #29 with a 94/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $49,438 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,491 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 #30
Shepherd University lands at #30 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,358 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,363 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 #31
Loras College lands at #31 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,289 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,716 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
West Liberty University lands at #32 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $43,296 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,366 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 #33
Le Moyne-Owen College lands at #33 with a 94/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $35,594 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,099 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 #34
Roosevelt University lands at #34 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $48,712 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,194 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 #35
University of Mississippi lands at #35 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $50,994 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,314 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 #36
Alabama State University lands at #36 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (56/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $34,502 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,435 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
American International College lands at #37 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $53,124 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,274 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
Virginia Union University lands at #38 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,275 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,235 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
Charlotte Amalie, VI · 99% accepted · $7,469 net
Why it ranks #39
University of the Virgin Islands lands at #39 with a 94/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $38,681 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,469 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 #40
Austin Peay State University lands at #40 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,301 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,735 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
Point Park University lands at #41 with a 94/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $45,856 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,942 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 #42
Union Adventist University lands at #42 with a 94/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $55,045 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,716 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 #43
University of Wyoming lands at #43 with a 93/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $56,880 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,599 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 #44
The Evergreen State College lands at #44 with a 93/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,320 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,319 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 #45
Metropolitan State University lands at #45 with a 93/100 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, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,863 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
Baton Rouge, LA · 99% accepted · $18,552 net
Why it ranks #46
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University lands at #46 with a 93/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $59,419 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,552 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 #47
West Texas A & M University lands at #47 with a 93/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $50,741 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,487 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
Reading, PA · 99% accepted · $24,356 net
Why it ranks #48
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks lands at #48 with a 93/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,356 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 #49
Texas Woman's University lands at #49 with a 93/100 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, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,963 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 #50
Mercy College of Health Sciences lands at #50 with a 93/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (34/100). Graduates earn a median $62,234 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,924 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 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
Forty-seven percent. That's the average graduation rate for colleges with the highest acceptance rates. For families, this means a greater chance of starting college but a significant risk of not finishing.
Students often seek schools with high acceptance rates for a simple reason: accessibility. Many aim to balance their dreams with financial realities. Chetty's research highlights how college choice impacts earnings and mobility, revealing the importance of not just getting in, but graduating with manageable debt.
Delta State University in Mississippi shows an average earning of $41,991, but only 47% of students graduate. In contrast, Eastern Mennonite University graduates 57% of its students and offers earnings of $54,869. These figures illustrate the diverse outcomes across schools in this category.
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 39 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.9%. The University of Texas at El Paso leads the group at 6.8%, with Sul Ross State University (5.2%) and Texas Southern University (3.4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 11.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Texas Southern University leads at 30.8%, 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 16.6% across this list. Loras College posts the highest success rate at 32.3%. 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 1.46 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Grand View University reaches 1.74, 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
A closer look reveals that Union Adventist University, despite a higher debt burden of $27,000, has better earning potential than Delta State University. The difference in average earnings is $13,054, which may influence long-term financial stability.
After reviewing the list, consider how each school aligns with your priorities. Location, program specifics, and campus culture can outweigh acceptance rates. Think about the financial implications as well, especially the average net price of $20,374.
The path from college to a stable life is complicated. One family's choice to attend Eastern Mennonite University could lead to higher earnings and better job prospects. Every decision matters in shaping future opportunities for students entering the workforce.
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
Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates ranking? +
University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS ranks #1 in our 2026 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $44,140 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 50% 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? +
Metropolitan State University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $64,705 ten years after enrollment, well above the $48,756 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, The University of Texas at El Paso leads: graduates earn a median $50,923 against net price of about $9,403 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? +
University of Mississippi has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 70%, compared with a 46% 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 $17,433 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Le Moyne-Owen College is among the most affordable at roughly $7,099. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates 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. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
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