Rankings / Outcomes
Highest-Paying Colleges for Finance
- 50
- Schools
- $93,791
- Avg. Earnings
- 86%
- Avg. Graduation
- $31,413
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,486
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $75,971 to $123,938, a 1.6× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College delivers the most for the money: roughly $75,971 in median earnings against $3,033 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is the lowest-cost school here at $3,033 a year in net price.
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University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, versus a 86% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Rice University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.12× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College costs $3,033 a year and Pepperdine University costs $58,098. Yet their graduates earn $75,971 and $82,939, nowhere near the $55,065 price gap.
- On value, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College beats Babson College: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: University of Pennsylvania finishes 97% of students while Maine Maritime Academy finishes 60%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
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 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and University of Pennsylvania. 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
Business 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 $91K within a decade, and financial analyst roles are projected to grow 9%. 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
- 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 Babson College #1 overall | $123,938 ▲ +32% vs avg | $40,514 | 93% | 95 |
| 2 Bentley University #2 overall | $120,959 ▲ +29% vs avg | $37,930 | 88% | 94 |
| 3 Carnegie Mellon University #3 overall | $114,862 ▲ +22% vs avg | $31,944 | 93% | 90 |
| $111,371 ▲ +19% vs avg | $28,699 | 97% | 88 | |
| $109,183 ▲ +16% vs avg | $50,062 | 88% | 86 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Highest-Paying Colleges for Finance
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $93,791 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 86% and an average net price of $31,413.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Babson College — Median alumni earnings: $123,938
CollegeRanker Primary Research
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Finance & Accounting Careers Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the future of finance, accounting, and compliance careers?
$90,276
Median earnings (10yr)
88%
Median graduation rate
$30,470
Median net price
2.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Accounting and finance programs feed a labor market in transition. A widening CPA shortage pulls firms toward these pipelines even as automation absorbs the routine bookkeeping and reconciliation work that once defined entry-level roles. The durable demand is for judgment: analysis, controls, audit, and compliance work that software cannot fully own.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $90,276 ten years after they first enrolled, about $42,276 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 88%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $30,470 a year, with about $21,855 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 19% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.5%.
What we’re seeing: automation keeps raising the bar for entry, and programs feeding the CPA and analyst pipelines hold their value best. Graduates earn a median of $90,276 ten years after enrollment, against roughly $21,855 in median debt. That return depends on finishing the credential as much as on the degree itself.
The podium
Build your ranking
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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
Babson College lands at #1 with a 95/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $123,938 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,514 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
Bentley University lands at #2 with a 94/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $120,959 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,930 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 #3
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #3 with a 90/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 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 #4
University of Pennsylvania lands at #4 with a 88/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 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 #5
Santa Clara University lands at #5 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $109,183 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $50,062 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 #6
Stevens Institute of Technology lands at #6 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $108,772 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,346 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 #7
Lehigh University lands at #7 with a 84/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 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 #8
Cornell University lands at #8 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $104,043 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 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 #9
Boston College lands at #9 with a 83/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $103,937 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,704 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
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #10
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #10 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $102,772 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,116 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 #11
Georgetown University lands at #11 with a 83/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $103,494 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,815 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 #12
University of Notre Dame lands at #12 with a 82/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $99,980 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,780 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
Claremont McKenna College lands at #13 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $104,736 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,849 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 #14
Villanova University lands at #14 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $100,423 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,756 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 #15
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #15 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $102,051 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,228 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 #16
Washington and Lee University lands at #16 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $94,810 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,781 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 #17
SUNY Maritime College lands at #17 with a 76/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $95,951 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,367 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 #18
University of Southern California lands at #18 with a 75/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $92,498 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,740 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 #19
Northeastern University lands at #19 with a 75/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,538 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,915 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
Rice University lands at #20 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $89,718 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 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 #21
Bucknell University lands at #21 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $93,807 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,766 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
Why it ranks #22
George Washington University lands at #22 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $90,873 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,586 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 #23
Northwestern University lands at #23 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $89,363 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,167 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 #24
Bryant University lands at #24 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $90,008 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $41,219 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 #25
Fairfield University lands at #25 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $88,794 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $48,095 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 #26
University of San Francisco lands at #26 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $89,812 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $41,431 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 #27
Washington University in St Louis lands at #27 with a 71/100 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, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 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 #28
Milwaukee School of Engineering lands at #28 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $89,070 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,453 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 #29
College of the Holy Cross lands at #29 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $90,543 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $38,782 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
Providence College lands at #30 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (24/100). Graduates earn a median $87,054 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $48,523 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 #31
Cal Poly Maritime Academy lands at #31 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $94,784 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,555 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 #32
University of San Diego lands at #32 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $86,522 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,365 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 #33
Maine Maritime Academy lands at #33 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $89,964 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,414 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 #34
Clarkson University lands at #34 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $89,696 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,305 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 #35
Case Western Reserve University lands at #35 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $87,989 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $41,190 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 #36
University of California-Berkeley lands at #36 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,446 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,481 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
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #37
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #37 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,698 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,953 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
San Luis Obispo, CA · 31% accepted · $16,665 net
Why it ranks #38
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo lands at #38 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $90,768 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,665 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 #39
Boston University lands at #39 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $83,238 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 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 #40
Loyola University Maryland lands at #40 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $82,652 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,574 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 #41
Fordham University lands at #41 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $85,569 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $44,338 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 #42
Emory University lands at #42 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,137 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 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 #43
New Jersey Institute of Technology lands at #43 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $84,276 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,504 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
Philadelphia, PA · 89% accepted · $29,689 net
Why it ranks #44
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia lands at #44 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $86,881 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,689 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 #45
New York University lands at #45 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $82,509 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $37,050 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 #46
University of Portland lands at #46 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $82,804 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,210 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Pepperdine University lands at #47 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (27/100). Graduates earn a median $82,939 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $58,098 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #48 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $75,971 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,033 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Dominican University of California lands at #49 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $84,713 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $35,333 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
Charlottesville, VA · 17% accepted · $21,565 net
Why it ranks #50
University of Virginia-Main Campus lands at #50 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $86,863 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,565 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Financial Analysts and related roles — a field with $95,080 median pay and 9% projected growth.
See the Financial Analyst career guide →Choosing the right college for a finance degree can significantly impact future earnings and career prospects. This list highlights colleges where graduates leave with impressive earning potential, specifically in Business and Marketing programs. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from these institutions reach nearly $100,000.
What sets these top schools apart is their strong performance in key metrics: graduation rates, debt levels, and, most importantly, earnings after graduation. The schools listed below not only prepare students academically but also equip them with the skills that lead to high-paying jobs, reflecting a commitment to student success and financial mobility.
Take Babson College and Bentley University, for example. Babson graduates earn an average of $123,938, but with a higher net price at $40,514 compared to Bentley's $37,930. While Babson boasts a slightly better graduation rate at 93%, Bentley's earnings are still impressive at $120,959. These differences illustrate the tradeoffs students face when considering cost versus potential earnings.
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 45 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.5%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with New Jersey Institute of Technology (6.5%) and Stevens Institute of Technology (4.3%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 4.7% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College enrolls the most, at 27.6%, 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 52.9% across the list, peaking at 68.3% at Claremont McKenna 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 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Claremont McKenna College is highest at 1.90.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When we analyze the earnings data, Babson College stands out as the highest-paying option for finance graduates, with average earnings of $123,938. In contrast, Santa Clara University, while still strong, has graduates earning $109,183. This $14,755 difference highlights how a choice of school can directly impact financial outcomes after graduation.
As you sift through this list of 50 schools, consider what factors matter most to you. Think about your financial situation, desired location, and how each program aligns with your career goals. Are you willing to invest more upfront for a higher earning potential, or do you prioritize a school with lower debt? Weighing these considerations will help you make an informed decision.
Ultimately, this data underscores the importance of choosing a college that not only fits your academic interests but also supports your long-term financial well-being. One family's choice of Babson could lead to a significantly higher income trajectory, demonstrating how a single decision can shape future stability in life.
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
Highest-Paying Colleges for Finance: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Highest-Paying Colleges for Finance ranking? +
Babson College in Wellesley, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Highest-Paying Colleges for Finance ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $123,938 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 93% 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? +
Babson College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $123,938 ten years after enrollment, well above the $93,791 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads: graduates earn a median $75,971 against net price of about $3,033 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 86% 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 $31,413 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,033. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Highest-Paying Colleges for Finance 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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