8 Communications Technology colleges in the South with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $56,848.
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 8 Communications Technology programs made the cut.
George Mason University leads the rankings, producing Communications Technology graduates earning $76,343 while maintaining a 98th percentile mobility score. Across this list, average graduate earnings reach $51,948—demonstrating that schools serving low-income students can compete on outcomes, not just access.
Alabama A & M University serves 64% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $40,628. Meanwhile, George Mason University delivers the best debt burden story: graduates face just an 8.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' affordability category.
Earnings: $76,343 | Mobility: 98th percentile
64% Pell students with $40,628 earnings
8.6% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
21.4% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | $87,555 | $10,250 | Excellent | $29,048 | Manageable | 86th percentile mobility |
| #2 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $76,343 | $19,500 | Good | $25,142 | High | 98th percentile mobility |
| #3 | Bowie State UniversityPublic | $54,537 | $22,985 | Good | $23,158 | Challenging | 75th percentile mobility |
| #4 | $54,211 | $21,983 | Manageable | $19,433 | High | 96th percentile mobility | |
| #5 | Morgan State UniversityPublic | $50,698 | — | — | — | — | 92th percentile mobility |
| #6 | $45,954 | $25,148 | High | $99,784 | High | 76th percentile mobility | |
| #7 | $44,859 | $19,442 | Manageable | $16,938 | High | 76th percentile mobility | |
| #8 | Alabama A & M UniversityPublic | $40,628 | $31,000 | Challenging | $19,266 | High | 79th 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
