152 Business colleges in the South with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $56,151.
Most rankings ignore accessibility. We flipped the model: first, filter for schools that actually enroll and graduate low-income students (60th percentile+ mobility). Then rank by earnings. These 152 Business programs made the cut.
At $103,494 in median earnings, Georgetown University tops this list of mobility-focused programs while maintaining an 84th percentile mobility score. Georgia Institute Of Technology-Main Campus follows closely at $102,772 with an even stronger 92nd percentile mobility rating—proof that accessible schools can compete on outcomes.
George Mason University exemplifies the double win these schools deliver: serving 30% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while producing graduates earning $76,343. The payment burden stays at just 3% of discretionary income, landing in the 'Excellent' affordability category.
Earnings: $103,494 | Mobility: 84th percentile
30% Pell students with $76,343 earnings
2.3% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
8.6% family burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | $103,494 | $15,500 | Excellent | $33,944 | Good | 84th percentile mobility |
| #2 | $102,772 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Manageable | 92th percentile mobility | |
| #3 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $90,873 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable | 79th percentile mobility |
| #4 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $89,718 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Good | 78th percentile mobility |
| #5 | $86,863 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Good | 93th percentile mobility | |
| #6 | $82,860 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | 96th percentile mobility | |
| #7 | Loyola University MarylandPrivate | $82,652 | $27,000 | Excellent | $50,344 | Challenging | 73th percentile mobility |
| #8 | $81,698 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | 95th percentile mobility | |
| #9 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $80,137 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Good | 88th percentile mobility |
| #10 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $76,343 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Good | 98th percentile mobility |
| #11 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $75,328 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Manageable | 78th percentile mobility |
| #12 | $75,121 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Manageable | 100th percentile mobility | |
| #13 | William & MaryPublic | $73,490 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,326 | Good | 85th percentile mobility |
| #14 | University Of DelawarePublic | $72,950 | $24,572 | Excellent | $43,000 | Manageable | 90th percentile mobility |
| #15 | $72,200 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Excellent | 95th percentile mobility | |
| #16 | $72,097 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | 99th percentile mobility | |
| #17 | $72,085 | $21,096 | Excellent | $33,899 | Challenging | 78th percentile mobility | |
| #18 | University Of FloridaPublic | $71,588 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Good | 97th percentile mobility |
| #19 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $71,513 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Challenging | 90th percentile mobility |
| #20 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $69,954 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Manageable | 93th percentile mobility |
| #21 | Wofford CollegePrivate | $68,964 | $25,732 | Good | $58,390 | High | 85th percentile mobility |
| #22 | $68,758 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Manageable | 95th percentile mobility | |
| #23 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $68,726 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Good | 95th percentile mobility |
| #24 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $68,424 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | Manageable | 78th percentile mobility |
| #25 | $68,227 | $18,000 | Excellent | $21,495 | Manageable | 97th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
