Rankings / Social Mobility
Colleges Getting More Accessible Over Time
- 50
- Schools
- $76,120
- Avg. Earnings
- 78%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,218
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,585
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $42,617 at the low end to $143,372 at the top. That 3.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Princeton University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $110,066 against $6,128 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, Princeton University at $6,128 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $110,066, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, well above the 78% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Princeton University: graduates owe only 0.09× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Connecticut ($73,997 earnings), not the highest earner, Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($143,372). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Princeton University ($6,128/yr) and Yeshiva University ($49,965/yr) produce graduates earning $110,066 and $71,353 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $43,837 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Princeton University outperforms Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 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 Princeton University and Harvard University. 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 $75K 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 2026-07-13
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.
- Chetty, R., Jackson, M., Kuchler, T., et al. (2022). Social Capital I: Measurement and Associations with Economic Mobility. Nature, 608, 108-121.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
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 Connecticut #1 overall | $73,997 ▼ -3% vs avg | $25,097 | 84% | 99 |
| 2 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus #2 overall | $102,772 ▲ +35% vs avg | $12,116 | 93% | 99 |
| 3 University of Georgia #3 overall | $68,726 ▼ -10% vs avg | $13,936 | 89% | 99 |
| $58,612 ▼ -23% vs avg | $9,120 | 57% | 99 | |
| $50,579 ▼ -34% vs avg | $15,784 | 57% | 99 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Colleges Getting More Accessible Over Time
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $76,120 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 78% and an average net price of $21,218.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Princeton University — Net Price: $6,128 | Graduation Rate: 97%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $143,372
Data Insight
Low-income students at colleges in the top quartile of economic connectedness are 267% more likely to reach the top income quintile than peers at the least-connected schools.
Economic Mobility Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about which colleges actually move students up?
$75,225
Median earnings (10yr)
83%
Median graduation rate
$18,346
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
This ranking flips the usual definition of college quality. Instead of inputs like test scores, selectivity, and endowment size, it measures output: whether students who start at the bottom of the income ladder end up at the top. The schools that rise here operate as mobility engines rather than gatekeepers. They show that a college can redistribute opportunity instead of merely confirming advantage.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $75,225 ten years after they first enrolled, about $27,225 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 83%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,346 a year, with about $19,750 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 24% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.7%.
The schools driving mobility are not the usual prestige names. Florida Institute of Technology leads this list, lifting 3.8% of bottom-quintile students to the top, and the average mobility rate across these schools is 1.7%, well above the 1.7% national benchmark. These are the institutions delivering on higher education’s founding promise.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Connecticut lands at #1 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,097 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
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #2
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #2 with a 99/100 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, 35% 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 #3
University of Georgia lands at #3 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $68,726 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,936 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 #4
Oakland University lands at #4 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $58,612 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,120 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
Pittsburg State University lands at #5 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,579 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,784 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Louisiana Tech University lands at #6 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,279 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,864 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 #7
Michigan State University lands at #7 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,253 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,680 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Michigan Technological University lands at #8 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $78,198 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,182 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Southern Mississippi lands at #9 with a 99/100 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, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,708 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 #10
University of Toledo lands at #10 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $50,632 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,249 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
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #11
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #11 with a 99/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 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 #12
Virginia State University lands at #12 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,543 a decade after enrolling, 40% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,840 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 #13
University of Utah lands at #13 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $67,170 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,200 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
William & Mary lands at #14 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $73,490 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,096 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 #15
University of Florida lands at #15 with a 99/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (76/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Yale University lands at #16 with a 98/100 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, 32% 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 #17
American University lands at #17 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $77,370 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,943 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
Florida Institute of Technology lands at #18 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $43,137 a decade after enrolling, 43% below this list's average, and net price runs $35,639 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
Emory University lands at #19 with a 98/100 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, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 a year. 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
Georgia State University lands at #20 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $47,384 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,931 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 #21
University of Miami lands at #21 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $75,328 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $37,244 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
University of Notre Dame lands at #22 with a 98/100 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, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,780 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
University of Chicago lands at #23 with a 98/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $91,885 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,860 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Illinois Institute of Technology lands at #24 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $82,592 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,425 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 #25
Brandeis University lands at #25 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $77,231 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,736 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 #26
Harvard University lands at #26 with a 98/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $101,817 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 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
Cambridge, MA · 5% accepted · $20,111 net
Why it ranks #27
Massachusetts Institute of Technology lands at #27 with a 98/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $143,372 a decade after enrolling, 88% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,111 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 #28
Wayne State University lands at #28 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,493 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,766 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
Rolla, MO · 73% accepted · $16,298 net
Why it ranks #29
Missouri University of Science and Technology lands at #29 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $82,957 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,298 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 #30
Princeton University lands at #30 with a 98/100 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, 45% 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 #31
Rochester Institute of Technology lands at #31 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $76,571 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,906 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
Dartmouth College lands at #32 with a 98/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $97,434 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,519 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 #33
Syracuse University lands at #33 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $79,164 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,793 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 #34
Yeshiva University lands at #34 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $71,353 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $49,965 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 #35
Duke University lands at #35 with a 98/100 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, 28% 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
Greensboro, NC · 89% accepted · $10,965 net
Why it ranks #36
University of North Carolina at Greensboro lands at #36 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $48,160 a decade after enrolling, 37% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,965 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 #37
Wake Forest University lands at #37 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $78,158 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,719 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
University of South Dakota lands at #38 with a 98/100 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, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,858 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 #39
Brown University lands at #39 with a 98/100 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, 23% 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 #40
Rice University lands at #40 with a 98/100 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, 18% above 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 #41
Vanderbilt University lands at #41 with a 98/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (80/100). Graduates earn a median $91,565 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,846 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 #42
The University of Texas at Arlington lands at #42 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,199 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,951 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
The University of Texas at Austin lands at #43 with a 98/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $75,121 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,857 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 #44
The University of Texas at Dallas lands at #44 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $68,227 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,267 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 #45
Stanford University lands at #45 with a 98/100 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, 63% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,807 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 #46
Arkansas State University lands at #46 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,617 a decade after enrolling, 44% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,366 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 #47
Georgetown University lands at #47 with a 98/100 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, 36% 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 #48
Boston College lands at #48 with a 98/100 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, 37% 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
University Center, MI · 72% accepted · $10,775 net
Why it ranks #49
Saginaw Valley State University lands at #49 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,955 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,775 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 #50
Western Michigan University lands at #50 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $53,562 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,273 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
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
Colleges across the country are making strides to become more accessible, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds. This list highlights 50 institutions that have improved their access for the bottom 20% of income earners over time. In an era where higher education is often seen as a financial burden, these schools are demonstrating a commitment to fostering social mobility.
What sets these schools apart from others is not just their ability to admit students from various economic backgrounds, but also the outcomes they deliver. The data reflects a blend of critical factors: average earnings, graduation rates, net price, and student debt. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from these institutions is $75,884, alongside a commendable graduation rate of 78%. This combination indicates that these schools not only enroll lower-income students but also support them through to graduation and into well-paying jobs.
Take the University of Connecticut and Louisiana Tech University as examples. While UConn graduates earn an average of $73,997 with a graduation rate of 84%, Louisiana Tech's graduates earn $52,279 and have a 61% graduation rate. The difference in earnings and completion rates highlights the varying levels of support and outcomes that institutions can provide, making it crucial for prospective students to analyze these metrics as they weigh their options.
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 50 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.7%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Florida Institute of Technology leads the group at 3.8%, with Illinois Institute of Technology (3.6%) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (3.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5.7% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Virginia State University enrolls the most, at 32.8%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 38.4% across the list, peaking at 66.5% at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Yeshiva University is highest at 1.89.
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 at the data reveals that Georgia Institute of Technology outperforms several other institutions in terms of earnings and graduation rates. With graduates earning an average of $102,772 and a graduation rate of 93%, Georgia Tech sets a high standard. In contrast, Louisiana Tech, despite its affordability, shows a significant gap with a graduation rate of only 61% and average earnings of $52,279. This disparity emphasizes the importance of not just cost, but also the quality of education and support provided.
After browsing through this list of 50 schools, prospective students should consider their own priorities. Think about factors such as location, program fit, campus culture, and financial situation. For instance, a lower net price might be appealing, but if the graduation rate is low, it could impact long-term earning potential. Balancing these elements will help in making an informed decision.
Ultimately, this data sheds light on the journey from college to a stable life. For many families, choosing a school that enhances social mobility can be a pivotal decision. It’s not just about getting into college; it’s about the outcomes that follow and how they affect future opportunities for the next generation.
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 Getting More Accessible Over Time: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Colleges Getting More Accessible Over Time ranking? +
University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT ranks #1 in our 2026 Colleges Getting More Accessible Over Time ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $73,997 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 84% 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? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $143,372 ten years after enrollment, well above the $76,120 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, Princeton University leads: graduates earn a median $110,066 against net price of about $6,128 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? +
Harvard University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 78% 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 $21,218 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Princeton University is among the most affordable at roughly $6,128. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Colleges Getting More Accessible Over Time 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. →
Chetty, R., Jackson, M., Kuchler, T., et al. (2022). Social Capital I: Measurement and Associations with Economic Mobility. Nature, 608, 108-121. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
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