Compare 420 General Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $50,528. Top programs: $147,998+.
General Studies programs produce graduates earning between $15,552 and $147,998—a $132K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 420 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The average sits at $50,528, but the right program can deliver nearly three times that.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads the rankings with General Studies graduates earning $148K—nearly triple the $50,528 national average. Yale (#2, $114K) and Georgetown (#3, $113K) follow, but the real insight is how sharply outcomes diverge from there. Choosing by name alone misses the full picture. Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige → https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. MIT General Studies graduates borrow just $14,768 in student loans and face a 1.6% payment burden, landing firmly in the 'Excellent' category. Even accounting for parent loans ($57,269 combined), the family burden stays at 7.0%—still 'Excellent.' That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of post-grad income at the very program that tops the earnings chart.
Highest program earnings: $147,998
Strong outcomes ($91,533) with 83% acceptance
1.6% payment burden | Excellent
7.0% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $147,998 | 11 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Excellent | |
| #2 | Yale UniversityPrivate | $113,788 | 16 | $12,975 | Excellent | $29,769 | Excellent |
| #3 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | $112,722 | 18 | $15,500 | Excellent | $33,944 | Good |
| #4 | Bentley UniversityPrivate | $105,183 | 80 | $25,023 | Excellent | $43,757 | Manageable |
| #5 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | $96,510 | 20 | $15,000 | Excellent | $33,297 | Good |
| #6 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $93,180 | 6 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #7 | Champlain CollegePrivate | $91,533 | 24 | $26,814 | Excellent | $35,886 | Manageable |
| #8 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $90,025 | 8 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Good |
| #9 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $86,444 | 67 | $23,168 | Excellent | $41,563 | Manageable |
| #10 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $84,166 | 43 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #11 | University Of HartfordPrivate | $80,775 | 24 | $27,000 | Excellent | $44,000 | Challenging |
| #12 | Life UniversityPrivate | $78,151 | 34 | $16,666 | Excellent | $20,335 | Good |
| #13 | $73,242 | 82 | $22,763 | Excellent | $26,243 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $73,089 | 253 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Manageable | |
| #15 | William Jewell CollegePrivate | $72,507 | 7 | $24,498 | Excellent | $25,539 | Manageable |
| #16 | $72,422 | 45 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Good | |
| #17 | $72,048 | 22 | $25,500 | Excellent | $42,436 | Challenging | |
| #18 | Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | $71,932 | 11 | $17,000 | Excellent | $59,531 | Challenging |
| #19 | $71,538 | 101 | $22,057 | Excellent | $14,269 | Good | |
| #20 | Molloy UniversityPrivate | $71,097 | 26 | $27,000 | Excellent | $39,248 | Challenging |
| #21 | Xavier UniversityPrivate | $69,546 | 44 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,885 | Challenging |
| #22 | $68,501 | 64 | $23,691 | Excellent | $58,000 | High | |
| #23 | $68,471 | 22 | $11,512 | Excellent | $20,000 | Good | |
| #24 | $68,171 | 107 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #25 | Sacred Heart UniversityPrivate | $68,092 | 22 | $25,000 | Excellent | $45,486 | Challenging |
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 →
