Compare 14 Labor Studies. programs in the West. Average earnings: $59,528.
With top graduates earning $88,945, Labor Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $29K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
San Jose State University's Labor Studies program leads with graduates earning $88,945, well above the $59,528 average across 14 programs in the West. University of Washington-Seattle Campus follows at $75,227, while Brigham Young University rounds out the top three at $71,748—proving regional publics compete effectively with prestigious institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. San Jose State graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 3.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Brigham Young offers the lowest family burden at 6.2%, still excellent, proving that top programs can also be affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $88,945 | 15 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Good | |
| #2 | $75,227 | 23 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #3 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $71,748 | 40 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #4 | Regis UniversityPrivate | $67,257 | 7 | $25,000 | Excellent | $17,700 | Manageable |
| #5 | $64,967 | 134 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,859 | Manageable | |
| #6 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $63,220 | 181 | $19,620 | Excellent | $30,126 | Challenging |
| #7 | $62,714 | 34 | $28,312 | Good | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #8 | University Of IdahoPublic | $54,065 | 38 | $21,982 | Good | $21,162 | Challenging |
| #9 | $52,811 | 5 | $13,807 | Excellent | $11,061 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | $52,194 | 26 | $14,750 | Excellent | $9,582 | Good |
| #11 | $50,548 | 30 | $18,500 | Good | $30,988 | High | |
| #12 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $44,170 | 23 | $19,162 | Manageable | $56,271 | High |
| #13 | $43,426 | 13 | $15,371 | Good | $19,732 | High | |
| #14 | Idaho State UniversityPublic | $42,104 | 21 | $20,039 | Manageable | $14,334 | 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 →
