Compare 421 General Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $41,856. Top programs: $103,135+.
General Studies programs produce graduates earning between $59,218 and $103,135—a $44K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 421 ranked programs, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
MIT's General Studies program leads with graduates earning $103,135, followed by Georgetown at $100,387. These results challenge assumptions about interdisciplinary programs—the average across all programs is $41,856, yet top programs deliver outcomes that rival specialized fields while maintaining broader academic flexibility.
High earnings align with smart borrowing in this field. MIT graduates borrow $14,768 and face just a 2.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Georgetown follows with a 2.7% burden—proof that top General Studies programs combine strong outcomes with manageable debt loads.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $103,135 | 10 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Good | |
| #2 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | $100,387 | 27 | $15,500 | Excellent | $33,944 | Good |
| #3 | Bentley UniversityPrivate | $87,110 | 126 | $25,023 | Excellent | $43,757 | Manageable |
| #4 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $71,435 | 141 | $23,168 | Excellent | $41,563 | Challenging |
| #5 | $69,083 | 47 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $68,338 | 77 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Challenging |
| #7 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | $67,732 | 9 | $22,000 | Excellent | $27,213 | Manageable |
| #8 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $65,563 | 12 | $21,250 | Excellent | $16,378 | Manageable |
| #9 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $64,740 | 17 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Challenging |
| #10 | $64,701 | 6 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Manageable | |
| #11 | Marymount UniversityPrivate | $64,432 | 8 | $25,000 | Good | $45,008 | High |
| #12 | Providence CollegePrivate | $64,080 | 10 | $27,000 | Good | $46,300 | High |
| #13 | Thomas More UniversityPrivate | $62,607 | 43 | $26,236 | Good | $21,436 | Manageable |
| #14 | Yale UniversityPrivate | $61,133 | 28 | $12,975 | Excellent | $29,769 | Manageable |
| #15 | Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | $60,890 | 10 | $17,000 | Excellent | $59,531 | High |
| #16 | $60,423 | 21 | $11,512 | Excellent | $20,000 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Saint Joseph's UniversityPrivate | $60,107 | 21 | $25,500 | Good | $42,436 | High |
| #18 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $59,713 | 47 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Challenging |
| #19 | $59,458 | 245 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Challenging | |
| #20 | Belmont UniversityPrivate | $59,218 | 31 | $20,500 | Excellent | $72,092 | High |
| #21 | William Jewell CollegePrivate | $59,142 | 23 | $24,498 | Good | $25,539 | Challenging |
| #22 | Cameron UniversityPublic | $58,673 | 28 | $21,500 | Good | $10,956 | Manageable |
| #23 | Xavier UniversityPrivate | $58,310 | 83 | $23,250 | Good | $37,885 | High |
| #24 | $57,628 | 342 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Challenging | |
| #25 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $57,533 | 126 | $22,750 | Good | $40,003 | High |
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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
