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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #61 | Wayne, NJ | $57,780 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,420 | 92.5% | 47.7% | |
| #62 | Hartford, CT | $73,997 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,387 | 86.5% | 65.4% | |
| #63 | Suny Maritime CollegePublic | Throggs Neck, NY | $95,951 Median Earnings (10yr) | $14,478 | 78.5% | 74.9% |
| #64 | New Britain, CT | $58,562 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,562 | 75.5% | 49.3% | |
| #65 | Chester, NY | $41,785 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,677 | — | 18.2% | |
| #66 | University Park, PA | $63,435 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,032 | 80.3% | 85.7% | |
| #67 | Rowan UniversityPublic | Glassboro, NJ | $59,988 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,180 | 77.8% | 68.3% |
| #68 | Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $77,449 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,809 | 86.1% | 68.2% |
| #69 | Troy, NY | $102,051 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,009 | 58.5% | 83.2% | |
| #70 | Holy Family UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $62,235 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,401 | 74.2% | 60.4% |
| #71 | Rhode Island CollegePublic | Providence, RI | $56,318 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,674 | 81.1% | 46.2% |
| #72 | Ossining, NY | $36,442 Median Earnings (10yr) | $2,334 | — | 46.9% | |
| #73 | Kingston, RI | $69,743 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,930 | 77.1% | 71.0% | |
| #74 | Hoboken, NJ | $108,772 Median Earnings (10yr) | $26,555 | 43.4% | 89.9% | |
| #75 | Lowell, MA | $64,874 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,460 | 85.2% | 70.1% | |
| #76 | Maine Maritime AcademyPublic | Castine, ME | $89,964 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,499 | 61.4% | 61.4% |
| #77 | Buffalo, NY | $52,334 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,684 | 75.9% | 36.0% | |
| #78 | Brooklyn, NY | $46,498 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,741 | 83.4% | 22.3% | |
| #79 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | Boston, MA | $92,538 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,900 | 5.7% | 90.4% |
| #80 | Brooklyn, NY | $36,545 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,841 | — | 61.5% |
