Compare 152 Labor Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $67,182. Top programs: $112,713+.
The highest-earning Labor Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With an $82K earnings gap across 152 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. From $31K at the low end to $113K at the top, where you study Labor Studies matters far more than the school's overall reputation.
Cornell University's Labor Studies program leads all 152 programs with graduates earning $113K — well above the $67K average across all ranked programs. Northwestern University follows at $108K, but the more telling data point is Bethel University, a small Minnesota private school ranked third at $101K. Prestige alone doesn't predict these outcomes.
For families weighing debt, Brigham Young University is the standout: graduates carry just $20,768 in combined family debt, translating to a 4.1% family payment burden — firmly 'Excellent' by GPS affordability standards. Cornell's student-only burden is even lower at 2.1%, also 'Excellent,' meaning loan payments barely register against post-grad income of $113K.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $112,713 | 282 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #2 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $108,498 | 16 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Excellent |
| #3 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | $101,195 | 13 | $21,500 | Excellent | $24,157 | Good |
| #4 | $99,594 | 50 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #5 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $97,126 | 36 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Good |
| #6 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $96,354 | 46 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #7 | University Of RichmondPrivate | $92,389 | 80 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,512 | Good |
| #8 | Benedictine UniversityPrivate | $90,891 | 19 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,900 | Good |
| #9 | University Of St FrancisPrivate | $90,495 | 16 | $21,079 | Excellent | $24,148 | Good |
| #10 | Idaho State UniversityPublic | $89,887 | 19 | $20,039 | Excellent | $14,334 | Excellent |
| #11 | Pitzer CollegePrivate | $89,636 | 22 | $16,750 | Excellent | $51,525 | Manageable |
| #12 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $89,102 | 30 | $23,000 | Excellent | $50,786 | Manageable |
| #13 | Immaculata UniversityPrivate | $88,835 | 17 | $27,000 | Excellent | $34,053 | Manageable |
| #14 | Regis UniversityPrivate | $87,109 | 6 | $25,000 | Excellent | $17,700 | Good |
| #15 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $86,190 | 22 | $24,157 | Excellent | $54,045 | Challenging |
| #16 | $85,886 | 147 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $83,692 | 28 | $25,500 | Excellent | $42,436 | Manageable | |
| #18 | $83,079 | 9 | $21,500 | Excellent | $14,676 | Good | |
| #19 | $82,371 | 52 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Good | |
| #20 | $81,755 | 237 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #21 | $79,708 | 29 | $17,832 | Excellent | $15,277 | Good | |
| #22 | $79,286 | 14 | $25,750 | Excellent | $24,831 | Manageable | |
| #23 | $79,056 | 8 | $26,000 | Excellent | $34,260 | Manageable | |
| #24 | $78,576 | 20 | $12,500 | Excellent | $11,459 | Excellent | |
| #25 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $78,381 | 20 | $23,250 | Excellent | $24,467 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
