Compare 13 Grantsmanship. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $61,902. Top programs: $80,781+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Grantsmanship tells a different story. Across 13 programs, earnings range from $35,060 to $80,781—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. A $45K spread across programs at institutions of varying prestige makes the case clearly: where you study grantsmanship matters more than how the school is ranked overall.
Topping the list, Bentley University's Grantsmanship program delivers $80,781 in median earnings—well above the $61,902 average across all 13 programs. Chapman University follows at $76,412 and Marquette University at $71,711, demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't exclusive to any single region or institution type. The data rewards program selection, not name recognition.
Debt burden tells the real affordability story. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates borrow just $11,512 in student loans and carry only a 3.4% payment burden—firmly 'Excellent' by GPS standards. For families factoring in parent loans, Baruch again leads with a 10.1% combined burden, rated 'Good,' making it the standout choice whether students or parents are doing the borrowing.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bentley UniversityPrivate | $80,781 | 28 | $25,023 | Excellent | $43,757 | Manageable |
| #2 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $76,412 | 113 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | Challenging |
| #3 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $71,711 | 41 | $23,940 | Excellent | $45,500 | Challenging |
| #4 | Walsh UniversityPrivate | $71,001 | 7 | $27,000 | Excellent | $26,359 | Manageable |
| #5 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | $70,005 | 17 | $22,000 | Excellent | $27,213 | Manageable |
| #6 | $69,215 | 212 | $11,512 | Excellent | $20,000 | Good | |
| #7 | University Of HoustonPublic | $64,374 | 14 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Manageable |
| #8 | $62,181 | 16 | $23,199 | Good | $14,621 | Manageable | |
| #9 | Stevenson UniversityPrivate | $60,109 | 23 | $26,000 | Good | $52,117 | High |
| #10 | $54,042 | 11 | $18,500 | Good | $12,624 | Manageable | |
| #11 | Chestnut Hill CollegePrivate | $48,643 | 7 | $26,389 | Manageable | $28,000 | High |
| #12 | Aquinas CollegePrivate | $41,193 | 14 | — | — | — | — |
| #13 | Augustana UniversityPrivate | $35,060 | 5 | — | — | — | — |
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 →
