Compare 41 Labor Studies. programs in the South. Average earnings: $51,741.
Labor Studies programs produce graduates earning between $53,031 and $81,557—a $28K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 41 ranked programs in the South, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
George Washington University's Labor Studies program leads with graduates earning $81,557, well above the regional average of $51,741. Baylor University follows at $67,847, while Southern Nazarene University delivers $64,388 with a notably larger cohort of 109 students—proving program strength isn't tied to school size or prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. George Washington graduates borrow $20,449 and face just a 4.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Southern Nazarene University leads with an 11.9% family burden, still in the 'Good' tier.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $81,557 | 29 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #2 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $67,847 | 19 | $23,000 | Excellent | $50,786 | Challenging |
| #3 | Southern Nazarene UniversityPrivate | $64,388 | 109 | $21,900 | Excellent | $12,550 | Good |
| #4 | $62,354 | 321 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $61,967 | 57 | $27,000 | Good | $25,775 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $60,862 | 28 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Eastern Mennonite UniversityPrivate | $60,136 | 28 | $24,813 | Good | $22,187 | Challenging |
| #8 | $59,917 | 95 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Challenging | |
| #9 | University Of RichmondPrivate | $59,752 | 82 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,512 | Challenging |
| #10 | $58,324 | 66 | $19,250 | Excellent | $23,211 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $58,124 | 49 | $21,983 | Good | $19,433 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $57,342 | 122 | $16,500 | Excellent | $13,610 | Manageable | |
| #13 | University Of Mount OlivePrivate | $56,668 | 25 | $27,209 | Good | $15,000 | Manageable |
| #14 | $56,616 | 82 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Manageable | |
| #15 | University Of HoustonPublic | $56,273 | 116 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Manageable |
| #16 | $55,952 | 38 | $19,606 | Good | $17,125 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Saint Leo UniversityPrivate | $55,624 | 61 | $25,278 | Good | $14,773 | Manageable |
| #18 | Concordia University TexasPrivate | $55,371 | 5 | $21,852 | Good | $25,137 | Challenging |
| #19 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | $54,431 | 44 | $19,218 | Good | $13,471 | Manageable |
| #20 | $53,031 | 110 | $23,000 | Good | $14,877 | Challenging | |
| #21 | $53,030 | 15 | $20,500 | Good | $13,859 | Manageable | |
| #22 | Regent UniversityPrivate | $52,666 | 16 | $24,534 | Good | $15,513 | Challenging |
| #23 | $51,732 | 34 | $18,000 | Good | $21,495 | Challenging | |
| #24 | $48,414 | 21 | $18,851 | Good | $9,000 | Manageable | |
| #25 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $48,029 | 23 | $21,500 | Good | $28,086 | 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 →
