Compare 150 Labor Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $55,355. Top programs: $94,446+.
The highest-earning Labor Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $27K earnings gap across 150 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Cornell University's Labor Studies program leads with graduates earning $94,446, well above the $55,355 average across all programs. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor follows at $92,289, while San Jose State University reaches $88,945—demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't limited to Ivy League institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Brigham Young University leads with a 6.2% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $94,446 | 270 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #2 | $92,289 | 46 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #3 | $88,945 | 15 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Good | |
| #4 | Saint Joseph's UniversityPrivate | $83,008 | 44 | $25,500 | Excellent | $42,436 | Manageable |
| #5 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $81,557 | 29 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #6 | $80,270 | 124 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $76,995 | 19 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #8 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | $76,632 | 28 | $21,500 | Excellent | $24,157 | Manageable |
| #9 | $75,227 | 23 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #10 | Bryant UniversityPrivate | $73,159 | 12 | $26,849 | Excellent | $55,956 | Challenging |
| #11 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $71,748 | 40 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #12 | Benedictine UniversityPrivate | $70,999 | 18 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,900 | Manageable |
| #13 | Immaculata UniversityPrivate | $70,195 | 13 | $27,000 | Excellent | $34,053 | Challenging |
| #14 | $69,139 | 361 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $68,275 | 13 | $21,500 | Excellent | $14,676 | Good | |
| #16 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $67,847 | 19 | $23,000 | Excellent | $50,786 | Challenging |
| #17 | University Of IowaPublic | $67,540 | 143 | $22,500 | Excellent | $27,975 | Manageable |
| #18 | $67,413 | 544 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Manageable | |
| #19 | Regis UniversityPrivate | $67,257 | 7 | $25,000 | Excellent | $17,700 | Manageable |
| #20 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $66,852 | 60 | $22,750 | Excellent | $40,003 | Challenging |
| #21 | Temple UniversityPublic | $66,841 | 150 | $24,395 | Excellent | $36,495 | Challenging |
| #22 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $65,066 | 21 | $23,250 | Excellent | $24,467 | Manageable |
| #23 | $64,967 | 134 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,859 | Manageable | |
| #24 | Southern Nazarene UniversityPrivate | $64,388 | 109 | $21,900 | Excellent | $12,550 | Good |
| #25 | $64,319 | 45 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Manageable |
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 →
