Compare 40 National Security Policy Studies. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $55,539.
National Security Policy Studies programs produce graduates earning between $57,789 and $84,567—a $27K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 40 ranked programs in the Northeast, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Middlebury College's National Security Policy Studies program leads with graduates earning $84,567, while Brown University follows at $82,229. The average across all programs is $55,539, yet these smaller liberal arts programs outperform many larger institutions through focused program design and intimate cohort sizes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Brown University graduates borrow $11,428 and face just a 2.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. At Middlebury, students face a 3.1% burden individually but 10.0% when parent loans are included—still manageable for top-tier outcomes.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Middlebury CollegePrivate | $84,567 | 31 | $13,857 | Excellent | $27,380 | Good |
| #2 | Brown UniversityPrivate | $82,229 | 79 | $11,428 | Excellent | $48,245 | Manageable |
| #3 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $81,134 | 44 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Manageable |
| #4 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | $80,020 | 41 | $15,000 | Excellent | $59,463 | Challenging |
| #5 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $74,038 | 34 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Challenging |
| #6 | Dickinson CollegePrivate | $72,214 | 24 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,729 | Challenging |
| #7 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $71,732 | 160 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | Manageable |
| #8 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | $68,553 | 21 | $27,000 | Good | $62,750 | High |
| #9 | University Of RochesterPrivate | $68,086 | 42 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,000 | Manageable |
| #10 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $67,198 | 97 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Challenging |
| #11 | Connecticut CollegePrivate | $64,786 | 27 | $23,500 | Excellent | $44,488 | Challenging |
| #12 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $64,575 | 48 | $16,000 | Excellent | $59,000 | High |
| #13 | $62,279 | 37 | $26,814 | Good | $36,545 | Challenging | |
| #14 | Vassar CollegePrivate | $60,969 | 27 | $18,625 | Excellent | $44,501 | Challenging |
| #15 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $60,926 | 220 | $23,250 | Good | $39,000 | Challenging |
| #16 | $60,024 | 21 | $23,250 | Good | $30,611 | Challenging | |
| #17 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $59,965 | 78 | $24,250 | Good | $34,984 | Challenging |
| #18 | Cuny City CollegePublic | $59,863 | 77 | $11,990 | Excellent | $17,460 | Good |
| #19 | Saint Joseph's UniversityPrivate | $58,981 | 17 | $25,500 | Good | $42,436 | High |
| #20 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $57,789 | 106 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
| #21 | $57,600 | 220 | $25,000 | Good | $38,368 | High | |
| #22 | Duquesne UniversityPrivate | $56,192 | 23 | $26,244 | Good | $57,511 | High |
| #23 | Suny College At GeneseoPublic | $54,921 | 43 | $19,500 | Good | $22,092 | Challenging |
| #24 | Mount Holyoke CollegePrivate | $54,503 | 31 | $22,902 | Good | $31,129 | High |
| #25 | $52,217 | 33 | $18,750 | Good | $23,871 | Challenging |
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 →
