Compare 10 Community Organization and Advocacy. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $52,655. Top programs: $84,712+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Community Organization and Advocacy tells a different story. Across 10 programs, earnings range from $28,019 to $84,712—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. A $56K spread across a single field is a clear signal: choose the program, not the name on the diploma.
Topping the list, Northwestern University's Community Organization and Advocacy program delivers $84,712 in median earnings—well above the $52,655 field average. But the more revealing finding is what follows: Central Michigan University, a public school admitting 90% of applicants, produces graduates earning $58,344, outpacing several more selective private institutions on this list.
Northwestern's earnings lead holds up under a debt lens too. Graduates carry $15,000 in student loans and face just a 3.3% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' tier, meaning loan payments are a minor line item against post-grad income. For context, UC Santa Cruz graduates face a similarly manageable 6.7% student burden at a net price of $8,717. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $84,712 | 71 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #2 | Albertus Magnus CollegePrivate | $62,035 | 17 | $30,964 | Good | $13,060 | Manageable |
| #3 | $58,344 | 111 | $27,000 | Good | $23,103 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $56,620 | 31 | $16,666 | Excellent | $28,682 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $55,451 | 6 | $19,500 | Good | $23,519 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $51,066 | 25 | $20,500 | Good | $18,859 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | $46,554 | 25 | $18,750 | Good | $17,192 | Challenging |
| #8 | $42,781 | 15 | $26,000 | Manageable | $11,908 | High | |
| #9 | $40,971 | 6 | $19,000 | Manageable | $16,219 | High | |
| #10 | Nazareth UniversityPrivate | $28,019 | 6 | — | — | — | — |
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 →
