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.

Methodology

• Data Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
• Metric: Median earnings 4 years after graduation for this specific field
• Ranking: Schools sorted by program earnings (highest to lowest)
• Minimum threshold: Only programs with 5+ graduates included

Important Caveats

• "Best" = highest earnings — not necessarily the best fit for every student
• Earnings reflect graduates from ~6-8 years ago; programs may have changed
• Programs with small cohorts (5-30 graduates) have higher variance
• Schools in high-cost areas may show higher earnings that reflect location, not program quality

Our Methodology →About Azimuth →

Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →