Compare 8 Bartending/Bartender. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $46,242. Top programs: $55,056+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Bartending/Bartender programs tell a different story. Across 8 programs, earnings range from $35,060 to $55,056—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. A $20,000 earnings gap separating the top and bottom programs is reason enough to evaluate each program on its own merits.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence leads the rankings, with Bartending/Bartender graduates earning $55,056—well above the $46,242 national average across all 8 programs. Two SUNY schools reinforce the case for program-level evaluation: SUNY Delhi graduates earn $51,716 and SUNY Cobleskill graduates earn $48,346, both outpacing several private institutions at a fraction of the cost.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. SUNY Delhi graduates borrow $15,180 in student loans and face just a 7.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments consume a minimal share of post-grad income. For families weighing parent loans too, SUNY Delhi again leads with a 16.2% combined burden—manageable by most measures.
Highest program earnings: $55,056
Strong outcomes ($55,056) with 91% acceptance
7.1% payment burden | Excellent
16.2% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $55,056 | 159 | $26,000 | Good | $34,260 | High | |
| #2 | $51,716 | 13 | $15,180 | Excellent | $16,789 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $48,346 | 12 | $16,023 | Good | $20,160 | Challenging | |
| #4 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $48,094 | 5 | $25,325 | Manageable | $40,932 | High |
| #5 | $46,969 | 33 | $22,675 | Manageable | $11,428 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $42,652 | 9 | $22,750 | Manageable | $39,759 | High | |
| #7 | $42,043 | 12 | $15,000 | Good | $10,000 | Challenging | |
| #8 | National Louis UniversityPrivate | $35,060 | 18 | — | — | — | — |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
