Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Mobility in the Northeast
Updated
Regional list from Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Mobility
This page ranks the 46 Liberal Arts colleges in the Northeast that clear a high bar on Azimuth's mobility index. Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads the list, reporting median earnings of $143,372 for its students ten years after entry. Across the group, the figures stretch from $143,372 at the top to $45,092 at the bottom, with a median of $62,425.
Public institutions account for 31 of the 46 schools, or 67%, while 15 are private nonprofits. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $3,033.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 10 years after entry | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Pell share | Mobility percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA | $143,372 | $20,111 | -$2,533* | 19.3% | 71st |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports median earnings of $143,372 ten years after entry and sits at the 71st percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (11 graduates) | ||||||
| 2 | Bentley University · Waltham, MA | $120,959 | $37,930 | $21,196 | 16.1% | 74th |
| A private nonprofit university in Waltham, Bentley University posts an average net price of $21,196 for families earning under $30,000 and is at the 74th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (80 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($105,183) | ||||||
| 3 | Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh, PA | $114,862 | $31,944 | $9,097 | 16.0% | 83rd |
| Carnegie Mellon University ranks 3rd on this list, with median earnings of $114,862 ten years after entry and a Pell share of 16%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (26 graduates) | ||||||
| 4 | Yale University · New Haven, CT | $100,533 | $23,777 | $17,633 | 20.4% | 81st |
| With an average net price of $23,777, Yale University reports median earnings of $100,533 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (16 graduates) | ||||||
| 5 | Villanova University · Villanova, PA | $100,423 | $43,756 | $17,823 | 12.0% | 71st |
| Villanova University posts a 71st percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and an average net price of $17,823 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (49 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($53,181) | ||||||
| 6 | Providence College · Providence, RI | $87,054 | $48,523 | $28,152 | 13.4% | 60th |
| Providence College reports median earnings of $87,054 ten years after entry, and a 13% share of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($62,111) | ||||||
| 7 | Fordham University · Bronx, NY | $85,569 | $44,338 | $32,474 | 21.4% | 74th |
| Fordham University ranks 7th on this list and reports an average net price of $32,474 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (17 graduates) | ||||||
| 8 | Drexel University · Philadelphia, PA | $84,648 | $38,509 | $28,055 | 26.8% | 89th |
| A private nonprofit university in Philadelphia, Drexel University sits at the 89th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $84,648 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($84,166) | ||||||
| 9 | New York University · New York, NY | $82,509 | $37,050 | $16,977 | 17.9% | 93rd |
| New York University posts an average net price of $16,977 for families earning under $30,000 and a Pell share of 18%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (549 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($66,502) | ||||||
| 10 | Rochester Institute of Technology · Rochester, NY | $76,571 | $34,906 | $24,680 | 27.2% | 80th |
| Rochester Institute of Technology reports median earnings of $76,571 ten years after entry and is at the 80th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (92 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($63,845) | ||||||
| 11 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College · New York, NY | $75,971 | $3,033 | $607 | 56.9% | 98th |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College ranks 11th on this list, with an average net price of $607 for families earning under $30,000 and a Pell share of 57%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (22 graduates) | ||||||
| 12 | University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT | $73,997 | $25,097 | $15,193 | 25.4% | 95th |
| University of Connecticut reports median earnings of $73,997 ten years after entry and an average net price of $15,193 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (105 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($60,092) | ||||||
| 13 | Wesleyan University · Middletown, CT | $73,897 | $30,177 | $4,871 | 14.2% | 69th |
| Wesleyan University, a private nonprofit university in Middletown, reports median earnings of $73,897 ten years after entry and sits at the 69th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($71,932) | ||||||
| 14 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst · Amherst, MA | $71,631 | $22,383 | $10,164 | 19.9% | 92nd |
| With a Pell share of 20% and an average net price of $22,383, University of Massachusetts-Amherst ranks 14th on this list and posts median earnings of $71,631 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (82 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($73,242) | ||||||
| 15 | Pace University · New York, NY | $70,378 | $30,892 | $26,473 | 27.3% | 61st |
| Pace University ranks 15th on this list, with median earnings of $70,378 ten years after entry and an average net price of $26,473 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (31 graduates) | ||||||
| 16 | Seton Hall University · South Orange, NJ | $70,196 | $31,446 | $19,623 | 32.5% | 74th |
| At the 74th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, Seton Hall University reports median earnings of $70,196 ten years after entry and a Pell share of 32%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (123 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($67,522) | ||||||
| 17 | St. John's University-New York · Queens, NY | $69,571 | $29,999 | $27,787 | 24.2% | 69th |
| St. John's University-New York, a private nonprofit university in Queens, posts median earnings of $69,571 ten years after entry and an average net price of $29,999. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (6 graduates) | ||||||
| 18 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth · North Dartmouth, MA | $68,804 | $20,927 | $15,976 | 37.0% | 81st |
| Ranking 18th on this list, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth reports a Pell share of 37% and median earnings of $68,804 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (17 graduates) | ||||||
| 19 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus · Pittsburgh, PA | $66,125 | $30,434 | $14,709 | 14.0% | 85th |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus posts an average net price of $14,709 for families earning under $30,000 alongside median earnings of $66,125 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (18 graduates) | ||||||
| 20 | CUNY City College · New York, NY | $66,039 | $3,776 | $1,251 | 60.5% | 94th |
| With a Pell share of 60% and an average net price of $3,776, CUNY City College ranks 20th on this list and posts median earnings of $66,039 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (87 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($58,063) | ||||||
| 21 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell · Lowell, MA | $64,874 | $17,163 | $9,943 | 30.0% | 88th |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell reports median earnings of $64,874 ten years after entry and an average net price of $9,943 for families earning under $30,000, ranking 21st on this list. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (87 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,492) | ||||||
| 22 | Temple University · Philadelphia, PA | $63,727 | $28,198 | $22,694 | 32.0% | 97th |
| At the 97th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, Temple University reports a Pell share of 32% and median earnings of $63,727 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (24 graduates) | ||||||
| 23 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park, PA | $63,435 | $32,875 | $19,845 | 13.9% | 91st |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus ranks 23rd on this list, with median earnings of $63,435 ten years after entry and an average net price of $32,875. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($58,195) | ||||||
| 24 | Montclair State University · Montclair, NJ | $61,415 | $15,566 | $10,880 | 47.0% | 98th |
| Montclair State University posts a Pell share of 47% and median earnings of $61,415 ten years after entry, ranking 24th on this list. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,469) | ||||||
| 25 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania · West Chester, PA | $61,258 | $23,331 | $17,018 | 25.4% | 83rd |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania reports median earnings of $61,258 for all students ten years after entry, and a 25% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (126 graduates) | ||||||
| 26 | State University of New York at Cortland · Cortland, NY | $60,236 | $22,345 | $12,550 | 27.4% | 84th |
| With an average net price of $22,345, State University of New York at Cortland ranks 26th on this list and sits at the 84th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($44,687) | ||||||
| 27 | Rowan University · Glassboro, NJ | $59,988 | $22,408 | $15,305 | 33.1% | 94th |
| Rowan University posts a 33% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants alongside median earnings of $59,988 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (149 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($53,266) | ||||||
| 28 | SUNY Old Westbury · Old Westbury, NY | $58,526 | $11,282 | $6,645 | 49.3% | 82nd |
| SUNY Old Westbury carries an average net price of $6,645 for families earning under $30,000, and its median earnings for all students ten years after entry reach $58,526. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (25 graduates) | ||||||
| 29 | State University of New York at New Paltz · New Paltz, NY | $58,073 | $18,809 | $10,541 | 31.9% | 85th |
| Ranking 29th on this list, State University of New York at New Paltz shows a 32% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and sits at the 85th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (14 graduates) | ||||||
| 30 | William Paterson University of New Jersey · Wayne, NJ | $57,780 | $18,745 | $16,171 | 46.5% | 90th |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey reports median earnings of $57,780 for all students ten years after entry, and an average net price of $18,745. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (68 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($54,607) | ||||||
| 31 | Stockton University · Galloway, NJ | $57,602 | $20,670 | $15,135 | 42.3% | 93rd |
| At the 93rd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, Stockton University posts a 42% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and ranks 31st on this list. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (136 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($54,628) | ||||||
| 32 | Westfield State University · Westfield, MA | $57,346 | $16,721 | $10,751 | 33.0% | 76th |
| Westfield State University shows an average net price of $10,751 for families earning under $30,000, and its median earnings for all students ten years after entry reach $57,346. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (129 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,730) | ||||||
| 33 | Salem State University · Salem, MA | $56,662 | $15,996 | $10,516 | 35.4% | 75th |
| With a 35% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants, Salem State University reports median earnings of $56,662 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (9 graduates) | ||||||
| 34 | Eastern Connecticut State University · Willimantic, CT | $56,469 | $21,067 | $17,654 | 28.7% | 70th |
| Eastern Connecticut State University ranks 34th on this list, with an average net price of $21,067 and a 70th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (48 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($48,418) | ||||||
| 35 | State University of New York at Plattsburgh · Plattsburgh, NY | $56,403 | $17,156 | $9,400 | 40.6% | 82nd |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh posts median earnings of $56,403 for all students ten years after entry, and an average net price of $9,400 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($52,108) | ||||||
| 36 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice · New York, NY | $56,195 | $3,203 | $1,073 | 59.8% | 96th |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice reports a 60% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants, and its median earnings for all students ten years after entry reach $56,195. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (13 graduates) | ||||||
| 37 | Southern Connecticut State University · New Haven, CT | $55,043 | $20,857 | $17,736 | 40.8% | 87th |
| Southern Connecticut State University reports median earnings of $55,043 for its students ten years after entry, and sits at the 87th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (159 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($53,411) | ||||||
| 38 | Thomas More College of Liberal Arts · Merrimack, NH | $53,565 | $18,489 | $10,433 | 44.5% | 61st |
| A private nonprofit institution in Merrimack, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts has an average net price of $18,489 and a Pell share of 44%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (16 graduates) | ||||||
| 39 | College of Staten Island CUNY · Staten Island, NY | $53,501 | $5,579 | $3,903 | 49.6% | 91st |
| College of Staten Island CUNY posts an average net price of $3,903 for families earning under $30,000, and ranks 39th on this list. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($49,129) | ||||||
| 40 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania · Bloomsburg, PA | $52,416 | $15,699 | $11,374 | 31.8% | 89th |
| Ranking 40th on this page, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania shows median earnings of $52,416 ten years after entry, below the list median of $62,425. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (43 graduates) | ||||||
| 41 | Framingham State University · Framingham, MA | $52,349 | $16,114 | $11,934 | 36.9% | 73rd |
| Framingham State University reaches the 73rd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a Pell share of 37%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (52 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($50,600) | ||||||
| 42 | SUNY Buffalo State University · Buffalo, NY | $52,334 | $11,346 | $7,405 | 55.6% | 85th |
| With a Pell share of 56%, SUNY Buffalo State University reports median earnings of $52,334 for its students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (109 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($46,705) | ||||||
| 43 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania · Indiana, PA | $51,019 | $16,804 | $12,364 | 36.8% | 81st |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania has an average net price of $12,364 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 43rd on this list. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (33 graduates) | ||||||
| 44 | University of Maine · Orono, ME | $48,653 | $17,510 | $12,642 | 23.3% | 74th |
| A public university in Orono, University of Maine posts median earnings of $48,653 ten years after entry and a Pell share of 23%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (39 graduates) | ||||||
| 45 | Pennsylvania Western University · California, PA | $47,295 | $18,256 | $13,944 | 38.3% | 80th |
| Pennsylvania Western University sits at the 80th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $18,256. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (220 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($44,180) | ||||||
| 46 | SUNY at Purchase College · Purchase, NY | $45,092 | $18,913 | $11,835 | 35.5% | 78th |
| SUNY at Purchase College posts median earnings of $45,092 ten years after entry, alongside an average net price of $11,835 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($47,922) | ||||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
How this list is ordered
Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. The figure is the median earnings of all federally aided students at each institution, measured ten years after entry among those working and not enrolled. It does not adjust for cost, graduate school attendance, or differences in who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures range from $143,372 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology to $45,092 at the bottom, with a median of $62,425 across the 46 schools. The gap between first and second is $22,413, with Bentley University reporting $120,959.