Home to 378 ranked institutions, the Northeast offers a diverse higher education landscape dominated by private colleges (73%) alongside strong public universities. Graduates earn a median of $63,186 ten years after enrollment, with earnings ranging from $17,360 to $143,372—demonstrating significant variation in outcomes across the region.
Northeast graduates earn $7,369 higher than the national average, with Cuny Bernard M Baruch College leading at $75,971 in median earnings. The top three performers—Baruch College, Cuny Hunter College ($63,163), and Rutgers University-New Brunswick ($74,479)—showcase how strategic program selection directly impacts career trajectories in this competitive regional market.
While Cuny Bernard M Baruch College dominates the rankings, students seeking more accessible admissions should consider this same institution's balanced profile. With a 50% acceptance rate, it offers exceptional value by combining strong graduate outcomes with reasonable admissions standards—proving that top-tier results don't require exclusive access.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Albany, NY | $131,426 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,549 | 59.1% | 68.8% | |
| #42 | Bentley UniversityPrivate | Waltham, MA | $120,959 Median Earnings (10yr) | $24,239 | 48.4% | 88.2% |
| #43 | New York UniversityPrivate | New York, NY | $82,509 Median Earnings (10yr) | $16,816 | 9.4% | 88.5% |
| #44 | Kean UniversityPublic | Union, NJ | $57,237 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,593 | 76.9% | 43.4% |
| #45 | Bowdoin CollegePrivate | Brunswick, ME | $82,735 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,275 | 8.0% | 95.6% |
| #46 | Boston CollegePrivate | Chestnut Hill, MA | $103,937 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,851 | 15.7% | 91.0% |
| #47 | Amherst, MA | $71,631 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,103 | 57.8% | 83.2% | |
| #48 | Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas JoelPrivate | Monroe, NY | $31,853 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,542 | — | 78.4% |
| #49 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $84,648 Median Earnings (10yr) | $27,737 | 77.5% | 77.1% |
| #50 | Suny Old WestburyPublic | Old Westbury, NY | $58,526 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,890 | 84.6% | 46.6% |
| #51 | Swarthmore CollegePrivate | Swarthmore, PA | $80,257 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,580 | 6.9% | 94.1% |
| #52 | Amherst CollegePrivate | Amherst, MA | $77,644 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,888 | 9.8% | 93.4% |
| #53 | Williams CollegePrivate | Williamstown, MA | $88,665 Median Earnings (10yr) | -$2,421 | 10.0% | 96.5% |
| #54 | Boston UniversityPrivate | Boston, MA | $83,238 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,453 | 10.8% | 90.0% |
| #55 | Yeshivas Be'er YitzchokPrivate | Elizabeth, NJ | $82,560 Median Earnings (10yr) | — | 100.0% | 14.3% |
| #56 | Stockton UniversityPublic | Galloway, NJ | $57,602 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,774 | 88.2% | 72.0% |
| #57 | New York, NY | $65,991 Median Earnings (10yr) | — | 38.6% | — | |
| #58 | Jersey City, NJ | $52,745 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,254 | 89.2% | 38.7% | |
| #59 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | Wellesley, MA | $84,803 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,695 | 13.9% | 91.2% |
| #60 | Waterbury, CT | $73,997 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,695 | 87.0% | 59.5% |
