Rankings / Value
Colleges With the Lowest Student Debt
- 50
- Schools
- $52,214
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $11,240
- Avg. Net Price
- $8,662
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $19,474 to $124,080, a 6.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College delivers the most for the money: roughly $75,971 in median earnings against $3,033 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, CUNY Hunter College ($2,984 net price), still posts $63,163 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Princeton University graduates 97% of its students, versus a 58% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Berea College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.08× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Berea College ($43,150 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Stanford University ($124,080), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- CUNY Hunter College costs $2,984 a year and Duke University costs $29,612. Yet their graduates earn $63,163 and $97,800, nowhere near the $26,628 price gap.
- On value, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College beats Stanford University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Princeton University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $46K 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 Berea College #1 overall | $43,150 ▼ -17% vs avg | $6,106 | 60% | 86 |
| 2 University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo #2 overall | $30,512 ▼ -42% vs avg | $10,680 | 51% | 82 |
| 3 University of Puerto Rico at Cayey #3 overall | $30,958 ▼ -41% vs avg | $10,176 | 49% | 82 |
| $27,997 ▼ -46% vs avg | $7,765 | 47% | 82 | |
| $30,626 ▼ -41% vs avg | $12,945 | 39% | 82 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Colleges With the Lowest Student Debt
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $52,214 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $11,240.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Princeton University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Stanford University — Median alumni earnings: $124,080
CollegeRanker Primary Research
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$46,498
Median earnings (10yr)
53%
Median graduation rate
$9,224
Median net price
4.3%
Avg. mobility rate
A value ranking asks the question families actually care about: which school delivers the strongest outcome for the least cost and debt. The winners are rarely the cheapest schools or the highest earners. They are the ones that pair a low net price, what students pay after grants, with graduates who go on to earn. That is the definition of return on investment.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $46,498 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 53%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $9,224 a year with about $9,197 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 56% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 4.3%.
What we’re seeing: value clusters at schools that hold net price down without sacrificing earnings. The median net price here is $9,224, with graduates earning a median of $46,498 ten years after enrollment. Strong results without heavy debt: that combination is the quiet argument for where higher education is headed.
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
Berea College lands at #1 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $43,150 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,106 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo lands at #2 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $30,512 a decade after enrolling, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,680 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey lands at #3 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $30,958 a decade after enrolling, 41% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,176 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla lands at #4 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $27,997 a decade after enrolling, 46% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,765 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of Puerto Rico-Carolina lands at #5 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $30,626 a decade after enrolling, 41% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,945 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of Puerto Rico lands at #6 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $34,409 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,484 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
University of Puerto Rico-Humacao lands at #7 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $29,521 a decade after enrolling, 43% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,675 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras lands at #8 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $35,723 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,175 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Albizu University-Miami lands at #9 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $41,544 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,849 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 #10
Albizu University-San Juan lands at #10 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $41,544 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,732 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce lands at #11 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $31,394 a decade after enrolling, 40% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,990 a year. 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
Barranquitas, PR · 86% accepted · $8,726 net
Why it ranks #12
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Barranquitas lands at #12 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $23,204 a decade after enrolling, 56% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,726 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 #13
Atlantic University lands at #13 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $25,272 a decade after enrolling, 52% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,425 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
Fajardo, PR · 27% accepted · $9,230 net
Why it ranks #14
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Fajardo lands at #14 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $23,132 a decade after enrolling, 56% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,230 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
Aguadilla, PR · 42% accepted · $8,742 net
Why it ranks #15
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla lands at #15 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $24,776 a decade after enrolling, 53% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,742 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
Mercedita, PR · 34% accepted · $9,026 net
Why it ranks #16
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce lands at #16 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $26,721 a decade after enrolling, 49% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,026 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 #17
Dewey University-Hato Rey lands at #17 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (43/100). Graduates earn a median $19,761 a decade after enrolling, 62% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,577 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Boricua College lands at #18 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (100/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $35,348 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,245 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez lands at #19 with a 73/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $48,992 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,936 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 #20
Johns Hopkins University lands at #20 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 68% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 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
Kings Point, NY · 34% accepted · $6,174 net
Why it ranks #21
United States Merchant Marine Academy lands at #21 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $90,610 a decade after enrolling, 74% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,174 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
North American University lands at #22 with a 73/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (96/100) and pulled down by social mobility (41/100). Net price runs $18,721 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 #23
Wellesley College lands at #23 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $84,803 a decade after enrolling, 62% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,496 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 #24
Princeton University lands at #24 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $110,066 a decade after enrolling, 111% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,128 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 #25
Brigham Young University-Hawaii lands at #25 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,064 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,774 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
CUNY Queens College lands at #26 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $62,763 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,195 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Rice University lands at #27 with a 71/100 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, 72% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 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
San German, PR · 42% accepted · $9,148 net
Why it ranks #28
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German lands at #28 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $25,416 a decade after enrolling, 51% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,148 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
Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music lands at #29 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $19,474 a decade after enrolling, 63% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,260 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
Bayamon, PR · 40% accepted · $9,284 net
Why it ranks #30
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon lands at #30 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $29,936 a decade after enrolling, 43% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,284 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Brigham Young University lands at #31 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $75,790 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,564 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
CUNY Lehman College lands at #32 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Brown University lands at #33 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (78/100). Graduates earn a median $93,487 a decade after enrolling, 79% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,184 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 #34
CUNY Medgar Evers College lands at #34 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $46,498 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,718 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #35 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $60,752 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,103 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
CUNY Hunter College lands at #36 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 57% accepted · $3,203 net
Why it ranks #37
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice lands at #37 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $56,195 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,203 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
CUNY York College lands at #38 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,945 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Arecibo, PR · 38% accepted · $9,217 net
Why it ranks #39
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo lands at #39 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $24,539 a decade after enrolling, 53% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,217 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
Universidad Central de Bayamon lands at #40 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (54/100). Graduates earn a median $25,021 a decade after enrolling, 52% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,827 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
Brooklyn, NY · 80% accepted · $5,127 net
Why it ranks #41
CUNY New York City College of Technology lands at #41 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $49,365 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,127 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 #42
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #42 with a 69/100 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, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,033 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Stanford University lands at #43 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $124,080 a decade after enrolling, 138% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,807 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 #44
Pomona College lands at #44 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,779 a decade after enrolling, 49% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,285 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 #45
Florida College lands at #45 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $43,445 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,931 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
Syracuse, NY · 63% accepted · $18,952 net
Why it ranks #46
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry lands at #46 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $55,763 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,952 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 #47
Southern Utah University lands at #47 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (67/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,462 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 #48
Yale University lands at #48 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $100,533 a decade after enrolling, 93% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,777 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 #49
CUNY City College lands at #49 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $66,039 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,776 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Duke University lands at #50 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $97,800 a decade after enrolling, 87% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,612 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Berea College graduates carry just $3,591 in student debt. This low amount could change a family’s financial future.
Many families search for colleges with the lowest student debt to avoid crippling loans after graduation. They want to understand how education affects earning potential and financial stability. Chetty's data shows that lower debt often leads to better mobility and success.
Berea College stands out with a 60% graduation rate and median earnings of $43,150. In contrast, the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey has a 49% graduation rate and earnings of $30,958. These differences highlight how each school supports students on their path to success.
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 21 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 4.3%. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with CUNY Lehman College (10.2%) and CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (9.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 15.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Boricua College leads at 46.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 37% across this list. Princeton University posts the highest success rate at 65.9%. 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 1.71 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Princeton University reaches 1.88, 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
Berea College and the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo exemplify how student debt can vary widely. Berea’s lower debt of $3,591 facilitates higher earnings of $43,150, while Arecibo’s $4,500 debt corresponds to $30,512 in earnings. This stark contrast reveals the importance of both financial support and institutional effectiveness.
After reviewing these 50 colleges, families should consider how debt fits into their overall college experience. Factor in location, program offerings, and campus culture alongside the numbers. Prioritize what matters most to your student’s journey.
These figures illustrate the broader implications of student debt on a family’s future. A decision to choose a school with lower debt can impact long-term financial health and stability. For one family, this could mean a smoother transition to adulthood without the burden of excessive loans.
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 Lowest Student Debt: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Colleges With the Lowest Student Debt ranking? +
Berea College in Berea, KY ranks #1 in our 2026 Colleges With the Lowest Student Debt ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $43,150 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 60% 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? +
Stanford University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $124,080 ten years after enrollment, well above the $52,214 average across the 49 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? +
Princeton University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 58% 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 $11,240 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Colleges With the Lowest Student Debt 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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