Compare 14 General Studies. programs in Pennsylvania. Average earnings: $46,207.
The highest-earning General Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $41K earnings gap across 14 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Drexel University's General Studies program leads with graduates earning $68,338, while the state average sits at $46,207. Carnegie Mellon follows at $64,740, proving that program excellence transcends traditional school hierarchies—outcomes depend on individual program quality, not overall institutional reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Carnegie Mellon graduates borrow $21,750 and face just a 7.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $68,338 | 77 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Challenging |
| #2 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $64,740 | 17 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Challenging |
| #3 | Saint Joseph's UniversityPrivate | $60,107 | 21 | $25,500 | Good | $42,436 | High |
| #4 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $56,373 | 52 | $25,874 | Good | $40,000 | High |
| #5 | Neumann UniversityPrivate | $52,081 | 67 | $27,000 | Manageable | $33,530 | High |
| #6 | University Of ScrantonPrivate | $44,908 | 17 | $27,000 | Manageable | $41,370 | High |
| #7 | Misericordia UniversityPrivate | $43,375 | 7 | $26,973 | Manageable | $34,345 | High |
| #8 | $42,803 | 161 | $23,500 | Manageable | $25,362 | High | |
| #9 | $40,386 | 12 | $24,250 | Challenging | $35,031 | High | |
| #10 | $39,159 | 71 | $25,000 | Challenging | $38,368 | High | |
| #11 | $38,814 | 55 | $23,725 | Challenging | $17,794 | High | |
| #12 | Temple UniversityPublic | $35,205 | 24 | $24,395 | High | $36,495 | High |
| #13 | $33,174 | 29 | $26,798 | High | $26,073 | High | |
| #14 | Mercyhurst UniversityPrivate | $27,439 | 8 | $25,305 | High | $25,932 | 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 →
